Susan Brooks
Susan Brooks
Jul 21First jump It was June of 09. The 23rd I think. And I was at a party, and had recently broken up with a boyfriend, so another guy at the party drunkenly said, “Hey! Let’s go skydiving!” So we picked a date, and that was that. When I told him I actually booked us to go skydiving he nearly wet himself. When we bought our second jumps the same day, I asked him when he wanted to go back, and he said “Maybe next year.” I turned to him and said, “I was thinking next week.” Thus began my adventure to get my A license. Jumps 600+ Ratings USPA Coach Future ratings AFF Instructor, Tandem Instructor, Potentially Pro Container Infinity, and because it was used, $2100; container, reserve, and AAD.It’s comfortable, effective, and has been mine since jump… 75ish. Main canopy Sabre 2 150. Because I bought it from DQ. It flies great, very forgiving, but is still fun. Also the smallest canopy that will fit in my container. Favorite discipline Relative work (belly flying), Freeflying, Instructing Skydiving Training Skydive Spaceland What would you most like to improve about the sport of skydiving? Just keeping everyone conscientious and vigilant about safety. Spaceland does a pretty wicked job of that already. (Good job guys!) Most common mistake you see new jumpers make? Worrying more about freefall skills than canopy skills. Canopy skills are what will save your life, so knowing your canopy well is key. I know my instructors would agree, it’s some form of miracle that I didn’t break myself, and I think Lake Boyd in the winter of 09 had some key roles in that. Sorry Rory/Dennis for making you repack the student gear so often. (It got...
Alexandra Neale
Alexandra Neale
Jul 21First jump December 10th 2012. Got talked into it for a first date! Jumps 450+ Ratings None Future ratings USPA Coach Container Infinity. The closing flap is super strong. Avoiding a preemie is important to me with freeflying. Double riser covers. Black hardware. Looks awesome! Main canopy PD Sabre 2. Strong flare, still fun and responsive. Not to aggressive for my experience level. Favorite discipline Freeflying Skydiving Training Cross Keys, NJ What would you most like to improve about the sport of skydiving? Fatality rates from no RSL use. Most common mistake you see new jumpers make? Not knowing about jump run – tracking up it, flying up it under canopy after opening higher than other...
Kirsten Johnson
Kirsten Johnson
Jul 18First jump October 23, 1993. I was dealing blackjack in a disreputable bar when a guy came to my table, asked me if I wanted to join a skydiving team. I asked, “Do you have to have any experience?” He said, “Nope.” I replied, “Sign me up!” I made my first jump a couple weeks later. I laid of for a year, twice, early on in my career due to funds or “better half” entanglements. So I got a better job and got rid of the “better half.” I haven’t been un-current since 1997. Jumps 3600+ Ratings USPA Coach, Lapsed AFF-I Future ratings None Container Pair of matching Javelins. Sunpath has been around for years, always looking at ways to improve their gear, solid design, can take a beating for a long time. I’ve had Helen and Everett since January 2006. They are my first custom made rigs and I love them both dearly. They are also named for my grandparents. Main canopy Stiletto 135s. Matching, affordable canopies when I wanted to downsize from Spectre 150s. I looked at Safires but couldn’t afford a pair when I needed to get them. In the next few years, after I save enough pennies, I will likely upsize back to 150s but something with a low pack volume. And I will upsize my reserves as well. Favorite discipline Relative work (belly flying), coaching Skydiving Training Old Spaceland (League City) What would you most like to improve about the sport of skydiving? Eventually, I’d like to learn some vertical skills. Also, I could always learn more about canopy piloting, even though I’m not a swooper. Most common mistake you see new jumpers make? If you don’t have someone to jump with, and you’ve got your own gear, go do some hop n pops to learn how to fly your canopy, not just land it. Going to too far, too fast with their jumping and choosing jumps that don’t always feed their knowledge of the sport. It’s hard sometimes to choose quality over...
Valerie Marvin
Valerie Marvin
Jul 18First jump I made my first jump in August 1998 at Skydive Greensburg in Indiana. A close friend introduced me to the sport and eventually sparked my curiosity to learn how to skydive. Jumps 2100 Ratings USPA Coach, AFF Instructor, Coach and/or Instructor Examiner Future ratings None Container My primary container is an Infinity by Velocity Sports Equipment. I love my Infinity for the same reasons covered in this Mar 7, 2014 Skydive Mag article. Main canopy I am currently on my third Performance Designs Stiletto. I like its quick reaction to input, glide ratio, and recovery rate. Favorite discipline Relative work (belly flying) Skydiving Training Skydive Greensburg What would you most like to improve about the sport of skydiving? Understanding of safe canopy flight Most common mistake you see new jumpers make? Dressing for a freefly jump in ‘street clothes’ with a shirt/sweater untucked and only fastened down with leg straps. Avoidance hopefully can be achieved by keeping a look out for each other and speaking up and sharing the...
Dee Akers
Dee Akers
Jul 18First jump Oct. 1987, AFF Level 1 Deland Florida I was on vacation and I heard about this crazy thing called Skydiving and knew I had to give it a try. I was immediately addicted so they told me where to go once I returned home and the rest is history Jumps 3000+ Ratings None, all of mine have expired Future ratings None Container RI Curv. I love the fit, the bio yoke keeps the weight off your shoulders and the container fits snug against your lower back. Main canopy Stiletto 120. I love the performance of this canopy. Wing loading is about 1.3, which is where I like to be. Favorite discipline Relative work (belly flying) Skydiving Training Old Spaceland & Skydive San Marcos Most common mistake you see new jumpers make? Understanding canopy flight plans and how to correct to avoid other jumpers. The transition program is a great place for the newer jumpers to learn about...