A few weeks back I decided to open my wallet for a piece of equipment that I’ve been told time and time again I would eventually need to fly with, but I’ve been too stubborn to purchase.
I don’t like being told that I’m going to need something in order to accomplish what I want in freefall. Sure, we all need parachutes, that’s a given. But when I was told I would need a weight belt (or vest) to keep up with others in freefly (and on my belly too, though you’ll rarely catch me there), the stubborn ass in me came out.
“I can just stand and catch up if I need to.”
Well, that didn’t prove to work as well as I thought it would – even standing I’m still pretty floaty.
“Well then, I’ll go head down to catch up.”
Turns out my head down skills aren’t where they should be to stick with a group of sitflyers.
“Well, what’s 10 pounds going to do anyway?”
Turns out…a lot! I’ve been flying with the belt off and on the past few weeks, forgetting it at home once, doing some solos another time, but for the most part the belt has been on. Though until this weekend, I didn’t really realize just how much of an effect it has on my fall rate.
(The first jump I did with a weight belt at Zhills. You can see a little bulk in my lower back, but nothing too terrible. In fact, it’s the same jump as my blog header – you can’t even tell I’m wearing weight there! *Photo by Aaron Stocum)
Jump #1 at The Ranch entailed me in a sit, looking down at my buddy Tom. Once I realized a stand was going to be necessary, he was too far gone and I, for the life of me, couldn’t stick a stable stand 
.
So for jump #2 I strapped on an extra 10 pounds around my waist and off we went. On this jump, I was only very slightly above him, in fact, if I would have kept a better heading and focused on driving my hips forward we could have easily made a couple good docks.
I think I was in awe of the difference the weight really made.
The rest of the weekend I worked on my fall rate changes and focused on the differences the weight makes on my skydive. I was even surprised how much I could feel the difference under canopy and coming in for a landing.
Needless to say, I’m incredibly happy with the weight. Who would have thought a girl could get so giddy about putting on 10 pounds?!
Best part is, in freefall, I don’t really even realize it’s there. I tuck the buckle back between my rig and lower back and, aside from the little jelly roll appearance it gives under my clothing, I’d never even know it was there on the skydive!
For all you floaty skydivers out there, I highly recommend strapping on a weight belt and giving it a go. It might just make all the difference in the world!
Blue skies!
Ashley
Just wondering what brand of weightbelt you settled on and what your review is on it? I’ve been resisting buying one, but am borrowing friend’s too much lately so I think it’s time. Any suggestions for someone your size?
Blue skies!
Mercedes
Hi Mercedes! I ended up ordering a Parasport weight belt, size small with 10 lbs of weight included. You can adjust the size a little bit, but it has some extra material that will flap in the air if you don’t have it positioned just right between your back and rig. Or, you can just put it under your suit, but I didn’t account for that when ordering my suit.
I really like it, but haven’t tried out many others (aside from one that my rigger made himself).