I'm going skydiving for the first time next week

Discussion in 'Blazers OT Forum' started by PDXFonz, Jul 6, 2014.

  1. PDXFonz

    PDXFonz I’m listening

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    As the title states, next week will be my first skydiving experience. I'm not allowing myself to back out, already paid the deposit, and will probably get very anxious about it over the next week.

    I love the feeling of falling, love looking down from an airplane and love the idea of falling from the sky and then floating to the ground taking in the beautiful Oregon landscape...I'm not afraid of heights per say, however they will be the one thing making me want to change my mind.

    With such a large group of posters I assume some one here has gone skydiving.

    I can't wait, been wanting to go for a while!
     
  2. Further

    Further Guy

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    I haven't gone, not good good with heights, but I envy those who can find enjoyment in stuff like that. Have a blast and yell "RIP CITY!"
     
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  3. Hobbesarable

    Hobbesarable Cartoon Character

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    I have and you'll love it!

    Also try static line jumping when you get a chance.
     
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  4. barfo

    barfo triggered obsessive commie pinko Staff Member Global Moderator

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    I've done it, but back in the days of round chutes. As I understand it it is much different/better these days.

    barfo
     
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  5. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    I've gone. I went to the all day jump school at Sky Dive Oregon and pulled my own chute. It was a trip. Pay the extra money and do that. Don't to the thing where the guy is strapped to your back and he does everything.

    I jumped twice my first day. Never did it again but I would. It was fun.

    Good luck.
     
  6. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    If you have some comfortable broken hiking boots wear those. I wore my Doc Martens. Awesome choice. My buddy wore running shoes and turned his ankle. Not bad but it hurt. Wear something that is tough and will protect your ankles but not something stiff that you can't hit the ground running, lol.
     
  7. PDXFonz

    PDXFonz I’m listening

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    This place won't let you wear sandals or homing boots. I think I'm going to wear my custom rip city nike free trainer 3.0s, they are comfortable as hell, not much ankle support though so I might have to find something else.

    Can't rep or I would
     
  8. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    Where are you jumping at? Tandem or solo? I was just reading on Skydive Oregon's site and they now make you do tandem first time out. You'll have fun if you do the tandem. Make sure you pay the extra money and have a video guy jump with you but don't get too caught up in watching them. They're amazing, zipping all around you while filming.
     
  9. PDXFonz

    PDXFonz I’m listening

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    I'm going to skydive oregon, but I'm going with a group of people and we are doing the tandem. I'd love to get a beautiful brunette with big bouncers as my tandem 'coach'
     
  10. oldmangrouch

    oldmangrouch persona non grata

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    Just remember:

    If at first you don't succeed - skydiving is not your sport.
     
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  11. BlazerWookee

    BlazerWookee UNTILT THE DAMN PINWHEEL!

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    I'd do it again in a heartbeat, and I'm scared of heights. I jumped from 10,300 feet, and we were just above the bottom of the clouds. We did a roll to watch the plane fly away, then I was face down with ice crystals hitting me in the face, the ground looked as if I was seeing it through a steamed-up window. Then we broke through into clear air, and everything was crystal clear. What a rush. My heart's beating faster just thinking about it. We were coming in a little fast and I was nursing a sore knee so I ended up picking up my feet and landing on my ass, lol...
     
  12. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    I went at Skydive Oregon 4 years ago. Little tip--every change of direction during the descent increases descent speed, thereby decreasing the duration thereof.

    Also, the harness WILL pinch your junk--just accept it and be prepared.
     
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  13. mobes23

    mobes23 Well-Known Member

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    Been once and glad I did it, yet don't plan on doing it ever again. I've got to say, it's one of the most memorable things you'll do.

    Splurge on a photographer/videographer to record it -- I did and the pictures rocked.
     
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  14. magnifier661

    magnifier661 B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

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    Fuck that noise!!!!! I am soooo afraid of heights. I get nervous being on my roof.
     
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  15. PDXFonz

    PDXFonz I’m listening

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    Man, that description has me more excited than ever, I can't wait. I hope I don't turn an ankle like sly's buddy' I'd rather end up on my ass lol.
     
  16. PDXFonz

    PDXFonz I’m listening

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    If they have photo options I will, not so keen on video. If it's awesome enough that I want to watch me do it then I will end up going again!
     
  17. PDXFonz

    PDXFonz I’m listening

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    Did you do tandem like I am going to be doing or solo like sly did?
     
  18. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    Tandem. The instructor asked me if I wanted a "nice, easy descent", or something a little more intense. I opted for the latter, and ended up on the ground about a minute before the rest of my group, because we dropped so much faster. It was fun, but I wish I would have gone with the slower descent just to prolong the experience.
     
  19. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    I told you that when I thought you were going solo, in tandem the guy will flair perfectly and you'll land fine. No worries.

    When you do it solo you have a radio in your helmet and they're bringing you like an air traffic controller would. You have to land into the wind so you have to approach the field from the correct direction. That's why they have you study aerial photos of the farms all around the landing zone. You swoop more like a plane then just drop straight down.

    Tandem you don't have to worry about how to arch your body in the air so you don't tumble, when to pull your chute, where you are or how to land. You're just along for the ride. You'll have fun. Relax and enjoy.

    Smile with your teeth closed so you don't get as much air in your cheeks.
     
  20. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    Were they letting jumpers out at different altitudes when you went? It's so fucking loud in the plane, lol.
     

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