The Ever-expanding Community

One thing that I’ve come to love about skydiving and adrenaline sports is the tight-knit community.

Though I’m still very much learning the inner-workings behind it all, I’ve come to realize that the jumping community in particular (read: skydivers and BASE jumpers), is ever expanding, yet small enough that with every new person you meet, there’s a good chance they’ll know someone you do.

During Bridge Day weekend I was lucky enough to meet some skydivers who are regulars at another NE Ohio dropzone, Aerohio. What make that even better, is that I was able to jump with a few of them on Sunday as I visited their home DZ for the first time.

Yesterday was a beautiful fall day. Mid 50s, not a cloud in the sky, winds at a perfect 5-10 mph. A number of my regular jumping buddies were headed down to Rittman to jump out of the caravan, and given that my home DZ didn’t have a turbine, it didn’t take much to twist my arm.

I took part in four great freefly jumps – a 4-way sitfly where we campfired (or attempted, anyhow), a two man rolling train into a sit as we tried to get Matt to perfect his sitfly, a three man head down with two amazing freeflyers in an effort to teach me the basics, and a relative sitfly with my girl Christa – that we kept pretty relative.

Getting to jump with some of the people I met at Bridge, a couple of incredible experienced jumpers, and my long-time jumping buddies made for a great day. I even met a few new jumpers that are quickly becoming new friends.

(Part of our crew from Bridge Day this year)

Aside from the fact that my freefly partner couldn’t be there because of the flu, it was a great day at a new DZ!

I’m beyond thrilled to be a part of such an exciting community. There’s always something new going on (like the impromptu balloon jump we’re currently planning for this afternoon), the people generally welcome you with open arms, and our community continues to grow with each first jump that’s made.

Personally, I couldn’t be happier with the friends I’ve made this season. Can’t wait to see how my jumper network continues to grow. Hopefully one day y’all will be a part of it, too!

Blue skies!

Ashley

Mid-week jumps and weekend happenings

After an exhausting weekend in West Virginia for Bridge Day I really thought this week at the office would drag. But boy was I wrong.

Seriously, how is it Friday already?

I think taking a half vacation day on Wednesday to take advantage of the nice weather really helped. The temperatures got up to almost 70 degrees and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Perfect fall jumping weather!

So Rick and I headed down to Canton Air Sports to meet up with a number of our other jumping buddies who had the same idea.

A couple jumps was just the fix I needed…I was starting to twitch over here!

The first jump was a new two-way freefly attempt – one we had seen pictures of before, though we’re not entirely sure what to call it. Essentially, it’s a one-man sit with a head-down stinger. I was the stinger. And we actually pulled it off for a couple seconds. More practice is definitely in order.

If anyone has a name for this, please feel free to share.

The second jump was a high pull so we could play under canopy for a while. I’ve never pulled at 7 grand before, and given the amount of time I hung out in the sky, I’m pretty certain I won’t again for a while.

What can I say, I just get a little uncomfortable being under canopy for so long. But I did learn a little more about my Triathlon – how far I can push it with spirals, testing out front and rear riser moves. For anyone with a new canopy, I definitely recommend a high pull to help you get acquainted.

Hopefully on Sunday the weather will play nice and I can get back to the playground in the sky. If you’re in the NE Ohio area, come out and fly with me. Otherwise, here’s what’s going on this weekend around the skydiving community:

• 10/24. CSC Halloween Party. Live music, costume contest, bonfire and camping. If you’re in or around Chicago, this is a can’t miss DZ party.
• 10/24. RW skills camp. Also at CSC. Visit Dropzone.com for more information.

And next week there is sure to be numerous Halloween boogies to choose from.

Blue Skies!

Ashley

Oh the memories

So I had every intention of speaking in greater detail today about some of the freefly jumps that were completed this weekend – with video and everything.

But, the video isn’t cooperating, which is a sign that it’s just not meant to be today.

Instead, I’d like to document some of my favorite memories from this season. There have been so many, and with the colder weather coming in (up here in the North, that is), what a better time to reflect on the season and document the best memories in permanent fashion – here on the interwebs.

Let’s go back in time, shall we, and dig up those events, photos, quotes, and times spent around the bonfire that made this season so great.

-Getting to be Bob’s last AFF student at Cleveland Parachute. What an amazing skydiver – and a great friend!

*Photo by Dan Mathie

-Working demos for Danger at Nelson Ledges.

*Photo by Ashley Mead

-Making the move to Canton Air Sports as my home DZ and meeting so many great people in such as short amount of time.

-Completing water training in a pond with 5 men on one of the coldest mornings of the summer.

-Using my on-the-ground photography skills to help out Lonnie during the busy times at Canton Air Sports.

*Photo by Lonnie Kirk (one of my first mentors and an incredible photographer)

-Howling with pure excitement under canopy when I finally got my track down.

-The nervousness and pure thrill of jumping my first pack job on my new rig.

(Not my first jump on the rig, but a recent photo of an approach)

-Passing my A-license check dive with Tom, my first instructor, and the ensuing hugs and celebrating with all my DZ friends.

-Getting a skydiving tattoo: closing pin on my right wrist.

-Jumping from a helicopter at the Work Stinks Boogie. Pure tranquility from 4,500 feet.

*Photo by Norman Kent

-Meeting and having photo/video taken by Norman Kent (see above).

-Sitting up on my first attempt at a sitfly, and realizing just how much I love freeflying.

-Getting invited to jump with Team Magnuson and work on my RW skills during the Jump for Diabetes.

-Notable quotes:

• Are those your legs, or are you riding a chicken?
• HIM. HIM. F#@& HIM.
• I like to chase my dad sometimes too!
• Don’t over-think it. Just jump.
• I’m calling that one the ‘reverse cowgirl!’
• BEANS!

-The day I completed a 15 minute pack job and thought to myself “you know, I really don’t dread packing anymore.” And I haven’t minded it since.

-Meeting my freefly partner and planning some of the most exciting jumps of the season.

We even match!

-Celebrating the life of Dan Mathie with fellow skydivers who loved him.

-Attending my first boogie: Work Stinks at Start Skydiving in Lebanon, OH, and mingling with some of the most incredible jumpers.

-Getting to spend quality time with Danger and soaking up all the knowledge I could. You’ll continue to be an inspiration, Dan.

*Photo by Ashley Mead

-Bonding over beers, bonfires and shared experiences with the people who have become my dearest friends.

Looking back, skydiving has completely changed my life – for the better. Honestly, I can say that skydiving has saved my life. This sport has helped me become more self-aware and self confident than I ever dreamed imaginable.

It’s hard to believe how much has been accomplished in a few short months. Finishing out the season as a B-licensed skydiver, with more than 60 skydives under my belt, and a passion like I’ve never experienced before, I’m more than thrilled with how this season unfolded.

I can’t wait to see what the upcoming seasons bring.

What are some of your favorite memories of this skydiving season?

Blue skies!

Ashley

Home Away from Home

Over the course of the summer, Canton Air Sports has quickly become my home away from home – as is the case for most skydivers and their home DZ.

It’s a place that you look forward to visiting after a long week. A place where you find peace, tranquility, and happiness. A place where you’re all family – an often crazy, dysfunctional family that likes to throw themselves out of airplanes at 13,000 feet and marvel at the video footage after – but a supportive one none the less.

I cherish my home dropzone just as much as my real home. Between the bonfires, stories and advice shared, and great memories built in freefall with like-minded people, who wouldn’t look forward to a weekend at the DZ?

The friends I’ve made this season alone are some of the most incredible people I’ve ever met – and this weekend, I was lucky enough to celebrate the 35th anniversary of our home DZ with most of them.

It was a 5-jump weekend for me, four on Saturday – starting with a dead sprint to make the first load – and one on Sunday. What can I say, it was a long night and a very cold day at altitude. So, I might just be a freeze baby. What of it?

The weekend was filled with freefly jumps, lots of sit practice with my freefly partner and some excellent coaching opportunities with one of the most incredible freeflyers around. I feel more than fortunate to have been in the air with him and learned so much just from one-off conversations on the ground. Thanks, Joe!

Throughout the weekend we got to jump, eat, drink, and chat with those skydivers who share in the love of a great dropzone. The cookout was delicious, and after a long day of jumping, cracking open that first beer around the bonfire made for the perfect transition to a night of debauchery. I’ll spare you the details. What happens at the bonfire, stays at the bonfire.

(Diane and Rodger, Rick and myself hanging out with the rest of the crew at the bonfire.)

Though it’s all in good fun. Work hard, play hard. Right?

Come Sunday most of the experienced jumpers were moving a little slower than usual, but what’s a better hangover cure than a brisk 60 seconds in freefall?

This was one of the best jumps of the weekend for me. Two-man rolling train into a sit. I held a pretty decent sitfly – enough to participate in a two-man freefly with Joe as he went head down. This was also, by far, the best landing I’ve had with my canopy yet. Perfect braked approach into a landing where I wouldn’t have cracked an egg shell – and perfectly on target. Looks like I’m starting to get this 7-cell thing down. About time!

Due to the cold winds at altitude and the caravan having to leave earlier than expected, I called it a day after one jump. The rest of the afternoon was spent cleaning up from the night before and reminiscing over the hundreds of pictures that Sandy took over the weekend.

She was even nice enough to burn some onto a CD for me. Here’s a small blip of the events from the 35th anniversary celebration of Canton Air Sports. (Big thanks to Sandy and Lonnie Kirk for these amazing photos.)

(Dirt diving the 6-way hybrid. I was part of the 4-man base with Rick and Joe as hangers.)

(Sandy took lots of great shots of the sport jumpers under canopy!)

(Couple of freeflyers, always wanting to ‘hang’ around.)

(Now that’s what I call dirt dive concentration.)

Blue Skies!

Ashley

REVIEW: Infinity Rigs

As a skydiver who just came off student status this year, I’ve had numerous opportunities to jump all kinds of different equipment before making a purchase of my own. This is one of the perks of being a student, actually. You get to test out a variety of rigs, canopies and other gear as you progress through the sport.

You may recall a couple months back when I was lucky enough to attend a local Aerodyne demo tour and test out a brand new Pilot canopy and Icon rig. I fell in love with the Pilot and knew that one day that would be the canopy for me.

In fact, shortly after earning my A license I was prepared to start piecing together the perfect rig. Lucky for me, the perfect complete system was practically dropped into my lap during a random search on Dropzone.com.

The main canopy was a Triathlon. In student training I’d jumped one 7-cell and liked it well enough, and given that it’s an Aerodyne product, I figured it was a good enough option.

What I like most about this system is the Infinity container, manufactured by Velocity Sports Equipment. As soon as I put it on I knew it was the rig for me. It fit like nothing I’d ever tested before. Sure, most of those were student rigs, but even those that were sport rigs didn’t fit quite like this. For a girl with a small frame, it can be hard to find used gear that fits quite this well. I’d recommend Infinity to anyone with a small build – they certainly know what they’re doing.

Other points to note: it’s completely freefly friendly and packs like a dream! Two things that were critical in choosing a rig.

(Climbing out for our three-man rolling train last week)

As you’ll notice, it’s very sharp, too. Purple with blue, black and gray accents. Now, if only I had a matching pair of freefly pants…

If you’re in the market for a new rig, or know someone who is, I highly recommend checking out Infinity.

Blue skies!

Ashley

I’d Rather be Skydiving

It’s been a while since I’ve written one of these posts; mainly because I’ve spent all my free time jumping this summer and haven’t done much else. What can I say, I’m a lucky girl!

Unfortunately, the weather hasn’t cooperated much these past couple weekends, what with fall arriving at a much faster clip than I’d prefer. Don’t get me wrong, I love the fall. So long as it’s sunny and the weather is jumpable. There’s always a catch, isn’t there?

It’s been difficult going two weekends without skydiving. This weekend some friends and I even headed down to a local dropzone – after hearing that the plane was grounded at our home DZ – without a single jump to show for it. Sad, really.

Luckily, I slipped in a jump last Thursday when the weather was perfect! It was a fun freefly jump with friends Nick and Rick.

We did a three man rolling train, releasing once stable and transitioning into a sit. (Turn up the audio if you want to hear some fun commentary on the ride up.)

Nick is on the bottom with me in the middle and Rick on top (shooting video for us).

This was the only jump of the day as the sun was already setting once we packed up. Still having a hard time getting used to these shorter days.

Blue Skies!

Ashley

The Skydiver Ego

With the recent passing of one of the most humble skydivers I’ve known, I found it appropriate to discuss what I like to call the “skydiver ego.”

Let me start by saying this: we skydivers all have ego issues. Every single one of us.

(I’m confident in my assessment that none of us are exempt. After all, what skydiver doesn’t love talking about and watching videos of their jumps?)

Think about it. We spend our free time jumping out of airplanes at 13,000 feet above the Earth, plummet at speeds upwards of 120 mph to the ground – all the while manipulating the air in such a way that it appears as if we are dancing with our fellow jumpers – and get ourselves safely back to the ground under canopy.

Essentially we’re saving our own lives, with a little bit of grace, each time we jump. Who wouldn’t be a little egotistical about that?

But, as I mentioned on Twitter a while back, it’s how we package that ego that matters most.

What gets to me are those skydivers who not only obsess over themselves and the successes they’ve had along the way – everyone likes to talk about themselves to some extent – they also constantly question their fellow jumpers.

“What size canopy are you flying?”

“How current are you?”

“How many jumps do you have?”

Now, when these questions are asked at the DZ, for safety purposes, or even just making small talk, I’m all for it. But I’ve heard these questions asked at some of the most inappropriate, irrelevant times as of late. And often, the answer is followed by an egotistical remark like “I fly a…” or “I’ve got over 600 jumps now, and I just did a demo into…” or, better yet, “you’ve only got 200 jumps? you really shouldn’t be doing…like we do…”

What I’ve also found lately is the tendency for experienced male skydivers (this has yet to happen with a woman), to take one look at me and completely disregard me. Even while at the dropzone.

Fellow jumpers have had to interrupt the conversation to introduce me and point out that I too, am a jumper. I really didn’t take this personally at first. After all, I’m a 20-something, short blonde girl who looks like she’s 18 and should be at the mall with her teeny-bopper friends.

(With one of the people I credit for turning me into a skydiver. Thanks, Bailey!)

Trust me, I get that.

But this situation has occurred with more than just me, and it’s a sad truth that people are brushed aside so easily. In fact, I’ve been to a dropzone that has a tendency to treat anyone with less than 500 jumps as incompetent, unaware, or just plain dangerous to jump with.

I’ve witnessed experienced skydivers turn their nose up, literally, at the site of a fairly new jumper. There have even been a couple instances where the experts have refused to coach less experienced jumpers on the ground because they don’t have enough jumps to work with them yet. What gives?

Maybe I’m spoiled in that my mentors have taken me under their wings, talked me through questions I had and areas for improvement, without looking down on me in the process. These are the same jumpers who acknowledge that we all started in the same place. We all had our first jump at one point in time.

So why the attitude?

Personally, I respect a skydiver (or anyone, for that matter) more when there is humbleness in their demeanor. Whether you have 5 skydives or 5,000, welcoming those jumpers around you with open arms will go a long way.

I will always remember what my mentors, coaches and instructors have done for me along the way, and intend to pay it forward to those up-and-coming skydivers who look to me for advice or mentorship.

Luckily, in my first season as a skydiver, I have encountered so many humble jumpers that have welcomed me into the fold. In fact, most everyone I’ve met has been this way.

Having experienced six different dropzones this year, the latest being Skydive Pennsylvania in Grove City, they have all been filled with down-to-Earth skydivers.

If you want to experience humble, Team Fastrax from Start Skydiving are some of the most. You’d never know just by talking to them that they are some of the most skilled jumpers around. I’m grateful for having met and talked with this team on multiple occasions. It’s people like them that support the welcoming culture of the dropzone, and it’s what keeps jumpers like me coming back for more.

*Photo courtesy of Skydive Orange

As I’ve said before, skydiving is more than just a sport, it’s a social experience. It’s a community. A tight-knit one at that. Without my friends and mentors, my freefly partner and RW buddies, the sport just wouldn’t be the same for me.

What have been some of your experiences with the “skydiver ego?”

Blue skies!

Ashley

A friend and mentor: Danger

As I’ve mentioned a number of times before, one of the best parts about being in the skydiving community is the people.

Since the community is rather small, when skydivers meet each other they find an instant bond. I’ve been extremely fortunate in my first season as a skydiver to have met some of the best friends and mentors a girl could ask for. Today, I’d like to remember one in particular.

My skydiving career started with a tandem jump, just for kicks, while on vacation. I knew after that first jump that I had to do it again. So I did. Another tandem. This time, at my home DZ, Cleveland Parachute Center in Garrettsville, Ohio.

My dear friend Christina and I headed down on a Sunday morning in April to meet our tandem instructors and learn a little bit more about the sport. Through 45 minutes of on-the-ground instruction by Dan, we were able to learn about circle of awareness and pull our own ripcords during the jump.

I was lucky enough to be paired with Dan on this jump and had a blast. This was the jump where I walked away knowing that this was the sport for me. Dan and I de-briefed and we talked about the next steps of the AFF program. Three weeks later I was back at the DZ, ready to become a skydiver.

When I walked in, Dan immediately recognized me as his former tandem student. He gave me a great deal on my video packages for my first two AFF jumps, and acted as my instructor for my third.

Throughout my time as a student, Dan was there to walk me through everything from landing patterns, to equipment checks, to my first attempts at freeflying. He became much more than an instructor and mentor, he became a friend.

Dan was the person who inspired me to reach the highest goals in skydiving. He recommended the freefall photography path that I so much desire to achieve. He taught me to relax. He encouraged me.

I was even lucky enough to be his ground crew on demos – even if it was only to take pictures on the ground.

Dan has not only been a positive skydiving influence, but he’s taught me so much about life, and living it to it’s fullest. For a man of little words, each one was filled with the passion that he had for life.

I am forever grateful to have met, worked with, and befriended such a wonderful person, and feel blessed to have had the opportunity to fly with him this season.

Danger, you will forever be loved and missed. You will continue to inspire freeflyers, belly flyers, and swoopers alike, as your stories live on. Thanks for all you taught me about skydiving, about passion, about life.

Blue skies.

Ashley

Dan ‘Danger’ Mathie: 1979-2009

Update: Today’s memorial for Dan was beautiful. His closest friends and family joined together to mourn the loss of this wonderful man, and to celebrate his life just as he’d want. There was even the appropriate toast with shots of Mountain Dew. Having been a part of Dan’s life means the world to me, as does being a part of the wonderful skydiving community that celebrated together this evening. Dan’s spirit will forever live on in the lives of those he’s touched. Blue skies, buddy.

It just makes sense

As I mentioned in Tuesday’s post, lots of time this weekend was spent bonding over beers with fellow skydivers.

This has quickly become one of my favorite past times. Not only do we reflect, reminisce, and have a good laugh at the skydives of the day, it’s also a great chance to learn from other jumpers. And of course, what a better way to make new friends than over a cold beer!

After the sunset load on Sunday, I decided to trunk pack out of pure laziness and spent that time having a 1-on-1 pow-wow with one of my favorite belly flyers. 

As I sat on the neighboring packing mat, I was asked the same question most of my belly flyer friends have asked lately: “what made you turn to freeflying?”

Funny thing is, my answer has changed over the last couple weeks. Initially, I started dabbling in freefly just to see what it was about, for some variety between big-ways, for a different type of body control practice. All with the goal of becoming what I consider a “well-rounded skydiver.”

But on Sunday, I found myself answering this question quite concisely: “it just makes sense.”

*Photo courtesy of Skydive Orange. 

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m by no means a full-time member of the freeflyers, but it’s a discipline I’ve begun gravitating toward more and more. I’m still available for RW jumps, so don’t forget about me belly flyers.

But to me, freefly just makes sense. Exit the plane head down, got it. Break off the hybrid into a sit, no problem. I can’t explain why it seems so simple, but from the moment I was instructed on how to sit in freefall – and actually doing it quite easily on my first attempt – I’ve gravitated toward this discipline. 

Upon hearing this answer, my belly flyer friend responded in an incredibly encouraging manner. He even recommended some of the best freeflyers around to hook up with for mentoring.

Not that I expected anything less. As much crap as skydivers like to give each other, we’re a very supportive bunch.

For some, belly flying comes natural, they get a thrill out of connecting up in big-ways, making points in smaller groups, and dirt diving every jump along the way. I’ve heard a number of natural belly flyers say they stick to RW for the challenge it brings, and because “they can’t sit to save their lives,” or some version of that phrase.

Others find sitting, standing, and head-down positions to make the most sense. Like me, a lot of these skydivers find big-ways to be stressful and making points just isn’t necessary for a successful jump.

Then of course there’s the people who are in the sport for canopy work – the swoopers and CRW (canopy relative work) groups. I’m a freefall junkie, so I’m definitely not the best source of information here.

(These are some talented CRW jumpers if I’ve ever seen them!)

Regardless of the discipline, at the end of the day, we’re all skydivers. We all love to sit around, talk about our jumps, brag about the good one’s, laugh at the funneled formations and tumbling freeflyers.

This is what makes the sport so great. There’s so much to do, so much to learn, and so much to talk about. Thankfully – after all, that’s why you keep coming back here, right?

In your time as a skydiver, what have you encountered that “just makes sense?” What are some of your favorite parts of the sport?

Blue skies!

Ashley

Getting it down

This weekend was another busy one for yours truly. Though this time, it all occurred at my home DZ, Canton Air Sports.

Saturday I drove out to the East side to meet Rick so we could make the drive together. Wish we would have thought of this before…could have saved on gas for both of us.

Anyhow, we got down there with a plan, exit head down into a sit. Well, the theme of the weekend presented itself on that very first jump, as we got talked into some RW instead.

It was a fairly inexperienced group – two jumpers with less experience than me – so we decided to plan an easy 5-way dive. Linked exit, out to a round. After one man tumbled away and another fell low, we ended up with a 3-way. We even got a few points at that.

The second jump of the day ended up being quite wonderful. Team Fastrax was at the DZ that day, preparing for a demo into the stadium at Akron University. We were told just before loading that they would be doing the demo first, then we would come back and jump. So we got to watch them exit the plane and complete the demo from 4,500 feet above. It was incredible!

May I just say, for a moment, what a great group of guys Team Fastrax is. They are some of the best parachutists I’ve ever seen, and yet, some of the most down to Earth. It’s great to have people like this in your back yard. I hope to be seeing more of them around our DZ and theirs.

Moving on.

After the demo we flew back and did our original planned dive: 2-way head down with Rick. Randy decided to film us too! Which reminds me, I have to get that video from him. Our exit wasn’t as perfect as the one at Start last week, but once we broke off, we were both holding a sit for quite some time!

I got back on the ground and headed in to take my B license test. And guess what, I passed! B LICENSE BABY!

After this it was time to go, so I trunk packed and headed out. That night I spent a bit of time working on my packing skills, trying to find the perfect method to get the ‘chute in the bag. I’m getting it down, slowly.

Sunday was another bright and early morning, heading down to the DZ. First load was initially planned as a 2-way freefly which turned into a 3-man rolling train that we broke off into a sit.

My landing on this jump was rather painful to watch I’m told, though I walked away just fine. I’m still getting used to this Triathlon I’m flying. It has a tendency to bring me down to the ground rather quick. The key is to start the flare high. At least, it is for me.

The next jump was another 2-way head down into a sit. This plan changed multiple times on the ride up and we ended up going with the first plan. Guess you can do that when there’s only two of you. Our exit went better than the day before and my sit was, once again, just about perfect!

Jump #3 was a fun one. On the ground we planned a 3-man hybrid, but at about 5,000 in the plane, a 3-way RW group suggested we do a 6-way hybrid. Hell yeah!

These are some talented belly flyers, so it was fun and intimidating to be one of the freeflyers on this attempt. Nick, Fuzzy, John and Dennis were our base, while Rick and I were the hangers. It didn’t go quite as planned, but was fun, regardless.

On the sunset load we finally decided to stick to the planned 3-man hybrid. Nick and Rick were my base. Fun, successful dive with a perfect stand up landing on target. YEAH!

The day ended with beer and bonding. More to come on these discussions, later.

I love having the opportunity to sit down and talk with the people I jumped with that day. The stories and advice are invaluable. And after a long day of jumping, the beer tastes so good.

Until next time…

Blue Skies!

Ashley