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
Fun Jumps
Before I earned my A license, toward the tail end of my student training, I was told that once you’re off student status the real work begins.
At the time, I shrugged that comment off, focusing on how great it will be to finally have earned my license. And now that I have, I see just what was meant by that statement.
The last skydiving outings have been a lot of work. I’ve started jumping with groups of other experienced skydivers and have been lucky enough to be invited on some big ways with competitive jumpers who have thousands of jumps on me.
As fortunate as I am to be learning from these folks, it doesn’t come without hard work and serious concentration in the air.
Being the least experienced of, well, anyone I’ve ever jumped with, if a dive goes awry, it likely has had something to do with me. But, when it goes well and you can look back at the video and be proud of your jumping skills, it makes all those little blunders worth while.
Here’s a great example of a 6-way from this past weekend. After a couple of rough exits, we pulled this off beautifully! I can’t stop watching the five of us hold on to this formation perfectly.
It’s a feeling of pure satisfaction to know I was a part of that. Sure, there’s still lots of work to be done, but can’t I just admire what was accomplished for the time being? This jump definitely ranks high on my list of fun skydives.
It’s also been fun to get out and play around in the sky with Jeromy. He doesn’t mind doing these fun jumps with me every once in a while, and honestly, I think he enjoys having me chase him around the sky.
What have been some of your most memorable fun jumps?
Blue Skies!
Ashley
It's Official
The events of this weekend were so amazing, I don’t even know where to begin.
How about at the beginning?
Friday was a beautiful day and I had a work event to attend that took me well past sunset. At first this seemed like a real bummer, but the event turned out rather fabulous, what with all the drag queens and everything.
Guess you had to be there.
Saturday wasn’t an early a start as usual. I slept in a little, actually ate breakfast, and headed to the drop zone early afternoon to get in a couple hop ‘n pops that I needed checked off my list.
I was lucky enough to be accompanied by Jeromy Alexander – check him out over at Skydive Blog – who decided to come down my way for a weekend. And what a great weekend he picked.
Saturday night we headed to Canton Air Sports to hang out with the crew there and spend the remainder of Sunday jumping, packing and learning. After the hop ‘n pops I had two more jumps before earning that good ole A-license.
So in the cloudy morning I packed parachutes and Jeromy jumped my pack on the first load while I took pictures on the ground. I can’t tell you how happy I was to see his main flying perfectly through the sky!
Second load we hopped back on and chased a group out the door, and did a couple manuvers in preparation for my check dive.
I sat out the third and fourth loads, doing more on-the-ground work – changing a main closing loop and all that – then I met with Tom before my check jump. We walked through the dive and he signed off on the rest of my card. At this point I could barely contain my self.
The jump went well with docking and tracking successes and a beautiful stand-up landing. By the time I was back to the hanger my proficiency card was complete and I became an A-licensed skydiver.
After this I was completely drained, but when the offer of heading up on the last load came my way I couldn’t pass it up. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being a licensed skydiver on a sunset load.
With a couple of docks and a couple spins with Jeromy it was a great jump to end the weekend.
Sunday was by far the best day I’ve had this summer. The DZ was filled with all the people I love to jump with most and spirits were high. One more reminder why I love this sport and the community of jumpers that come with it.
Blue Skies!
Ashley
Down to Earth
Speaking literally and figuratively, actually.
The one thing I love most about the drop zones that I’ve been to is that the people, for the most part, are extremely down to Earth, even the experts.
It’s been rare that I’ve encountered elitist attitudes from even the most talented skydivers. As my experience has shown, these jumpers are not only willing, but happy to jump with you, provide advice, or just talk you through an area where you might be struggling.
(With Tom and Bob. The two best AFF instructors and skydivers I will always look up to.)
As someone who’s not the most confident canopy pilot, I’ve been given a lot great advice from jumpers with years of experience that has helped me get safely to the ground.
In fact, I have Larry and Dan at Cleveland Parachute to thank for teaching me the spotting and landing skills I have today. If there’s one skill I’ve acquired, it’s landing close to my target.
These experts just love talking about the sport, recounting memories of their best and worst jumps, and teaching newbies the tricks of the trade.
Of course we all know how much I love talking about it – I have a blog devoted to it, after all. I’m thankful that I have great mentors that will help keep me level-headed as I progress in the sport.
(My mentor, coach and friend, Lonnie!)
In my short time as a part of the skydiving community, I’ve come to cherish this attribute and I gravitate toward the experienced skydivers who welcome me with open arms. One day I hope to be as skilled and just as humble as they are.
Blue Skies!
Ashley
Lucky #13
This weekend I finally got back into the sky – and it felt great!
After taking two weeks off – due to wind and a minor elbow injury, as you may recall – my level of nervousness was a little higher than usual, but as soon as that door opened at 10,000 I was right back in the game.
(That would be my nervous smile.)
I finally got to fly my new jumpsuit that came in the mail last week (and was taunting me for days as it hung from my closet door). Since I’m still new to the sport I strapped the booties to my legs rather than using them in free fall. Once I’m an expert at flying my body, you best believe I’ll be giving those booties a try!
Jump #12 – My first diving exit.
I felt like Superwoman. That is, until I was backflying – unintentionally. Oh look, there’s the plane! I stabilized belly to Earth with enough time to get in a back flip and attempt a front flip. Winds were mild, maybe 5 mph and variable. Soft landing that I rolled out but really should have stood up.
(Mid-front flip!)
Jump #13 – Lucky #13, and that it was. Our plane was full, VERY full. Clouds rolled in and we had to circle for almost an hour before the skies allowed us to jump. But it was worth the wait as we got about 1,500 feet more than we typically would. More free fall time, woot! I asked Lonnie to jump with me for some new solo pictures, video, and a little coaching. Check out his work at VelocityPhoto.com. I see now that I need to get my head up and quit looking at the ground.
(All smiles!)
You can find more pictures on my Flickr and Facebook pages.
Overall my jumps went well and more importantly I had a blast! My AFF friends graduated on to solo this weekend too. It’s always great to hear their stories. And I even got to watch my friend Jessica come down from her first tandem – which she loved, naturally. I left the drop zone feeling pretty great last night. Can’t wait till next weekend!
Blue Skies!
Ashley
Knowing Your Limits
This weekend was another skydiving lesson learned – this time, from the comfort of the ground.
Or really, I should say the uncomfort of the ground. As anyone who’s engrossed in any sport knows, having to sit on the sidelines while fellow athletes are out doing what they love has a tendency to make you quite antsy.
At one point, one of the jump masters asked me “are you okay, or is this killing you?”
Sure, I wanted to be jumping, but I was not about to enter into the risks under canopy yesterday.
As I mentioned in a previous post, Cleveland Parachute is a place where friends gather every weekend, and we’re getting a great core group of jumpers. We’re out there supporting each other, giving each other a hard time when our landings are sub-par, and learning from one another.
It’s great to have other jumpers with similar experience, and those with significantly more experience to provide pointers. And although skydiving is one of those sports where you have to learn the little tricks that work for you, it never hurts to hear and see what the experienced jumpers are doing.
This weekend was a great learning experience for us all.
Winds were high – higher than normal anyhow – and there was lots of discussion on canopy control and staying West of the drop zone as long as possible.
Unfortunately, for us students, with larger canopies and less experience, the winds were very much against us. As I watched two of my friends who are current AFF students get pushed backwards into fields far past the drop zone I quickly decided that jumping was not a smart idea. And given that I jump a ‘chute the same size as these guys (who are both 40 pounds heavier), who knows where that wind would have pushed me.
So, to save myself from ending up in Pennsylvania, I stayed grounded.
In hindsight, it probably didn’t hurt to give my elbow an extra week to rest from last week’s fall.
Regardless, it was a great day spent at the DZ with my weekend family. And if the weather stays true to the forecast, we’ll be headed back out this coming weekend for some more jumping.
Blues Skies!
-A
Lessons from Under the Canopy
The more I participate in skydiving the more I realize that it’s numerous sports wrapped up in one. For those of us who are drawn to the thrill of free fall, we’re also forced to become sports parachutists as well.
At least, if we want to do it more than once, that is.
Canopy skills are imperative to a successful skydive. You have to learn how to check the parachute upon opening to make sure it’s safe to land, maneuver with toggles and flare for landing. On top of that, you need to learn how to spot and navigate properly for a safe landing.
These skills are learned and perfected over time, but it’s important to start early. From my first AFF jump my instructors were talking over the winds with me and teaching me how to spot. At first I thought, “this is so foreign to me, I’ll never get it.” But once you’re jumping regularly and on your own, it forces you to focus and learn quickly.
This weekend I made it my goal to maintain a heading in free fall to drop nearly straight down. When my ‘chute opened I was directly overhead the drop zone and in good position.
I was feeling great about my navigation skills and at 800 feet started heading toward the target. It looked great, so I made it my goal to land in the middle of the target. There was no wind that day, I could tell it was going to be close. Coming in a 1/4 brakes to slow forward motion then letting up toward the end so I had a good flare.
One thing to remember when you’re under canopy is that you’re moving 10 mph forward. This can seem pretty quick when you’re getting close to the ground. This became apparent when I let up on the brakes. In turn, I flared a little soon and stalled my canopy about 5 feet above the ground.
Yep, you guessed it, no where to go but straight down.
This is why PLF (parachute landing falls) are so important. I rolled it out and walked away, ankles in tact. Though I do have a sore elbow as I didn’t keep my arms in flare position during the roll out.
Oops! Looks like there are two lessons here:
1) Don’t flare too soon, and if you do, be prepared to roll it out and,
2) Keep your elbows in!
Precision will only come with time and experience. But on the plus side, I landed about 10 feet from the target and felt pretty great about it.
(Feeling pretty great about my landing!)
Do any of y’all have tricks you learned to help with canopy control?
Blue Skies!
Ashley
A video montage
Skydivers love to have videos of their jumps. Not only do they come in handy when you have a great jump and want to show it off to your friends but they are key in learning from your mistakes – especially when you’re just starting out.
Reviewing video footage of yourself free falling, observing body position, hand signals, and seeing the skydive from start to finish can really help you see where changes need to be made.
What I’ve found is that even videos of other jumpers can be quite helpful. In a quick YouTube search I came across a number of video resources for the newbie and experienced skydiver alike.
The first one is of a student skydiver, working toward his license. He’s on his 22nd jump, still getting the hang of body control in free fall. I like this video because it shows those who aren’t as familiar with the sport that it’s not as easy as it appears. But, it is way more fun than it looks!
The next video is of a much more experienced duo, pulling off some pretty amazing aerobatic tricks.
And just for kicks, here’s a video of a tandem HALO jump from 30,000 feet. Notice the amount of time they are in free fall. This is definitely something that’s on my bucket list.
If you have time to browse YouTube I highly recommend searching for skydiving videos. You’ll find everything from one-time tandems to student jumpers, to wing suits and team jumps.
Blue Skies!
Ashley
It’s a good thing I like physics
For a girl who’s not much for math, I always gravitated toward physics in high school. Maybe, subconsciously I knew that one day I’d be involved in a sport where a solid background in physics would come in so handy.
At first, it sounds a little funny, but when you think about it, every aspect of a successful skydive can be calculated. After all, physics is the study of matter and its motion through spacetime and all that derives from these, such as energy and force.
In the instance of skydiving, the human is the matter and the fall through the air – both free fall and under canopy – is the motion. The energy and force are elements such as human muscle and wind.
Of course, this is just a very basic overview, but I’ll spare you the details. I’m just learning myself, and what I find out every day is that there is way more to this sport than I ever imagined – even the pros never top learning.
I’m excited for the endless challenge of skydiving and hope you are too!
Blue Skies!
Ashley
The First Five
Well, this newbie skydiver has successfully completed her first five jumps! Here’s what they looked like, in a nutshell.
#1 – Tandem at Skydive Miami.
After a Caribbean vacation we decided to go out with a bang and skydive. Going in for a one time thrill I never imagined that I would fall so madly in love with the sport.
#2 – Tandem Progression at Cleveland Parachute Center (now my home DZ).
This time around I knew I was headed down the path of becoming a skydiver. At this point, I wasn’t quite comfortable going it on my own. So with 30 minutes of on-the-ground training, learning hand signals and the importance of altimeter checks, I was strapped to Dan for a free fall from 10,500 and deployed my own ‘chute. At that moment I was hooked!
(Unfortunately, no photos of this jump.)
#3 – AFF #1 at Cleveland Parachute Center.
After 5 hours of one-on-one training on the ground I went up with my own parachute. My nerves got the best of me and the free fall didn’t go as smoothly as we’d all hoped. An instructor was lost along the way but I still managed to pull at 5,500 and steer the canopy in for a soft landing. This was a big learning jump for me, and I figure, what a better time to make mistakes to learn from? After all, I’ve got two instructors right there to help me with the necessary corrections.
#4 – AFF #2 at Cleveland Parachute Center.
I was determined to have a near perfect skydive this time. So I came back to the drop zone the next morning and was the first jump of the day. Success! My nerves were calmed as I knew what to expect this time around and overall the skydive felt great.
#5 – AFF #3 at Cleveland Parachute Center.
This weekend I headed out for another early morning skydive. It was cold in the sky, very cold. So I donned gloves and a hooded sweatshirt under my jumpsuit. This time we performed team turns. I felt much more aware of my leg positioning and even got a couple thumbs up in free fall. Tried to squeeze in another jump later in the day but life got in the way and time ran short.
I’ll be back though, next weekend. You can count on that.
Blue Skies!
Ashley