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...
Pauline Forister
Pauline Forister
Jul 18First jump July 2008… because i LOVE adventure!! flying is awesome!! Jumps 725 Ratings None Future ratings None Container CURV… comfort!!! Main canopy Pilot… soft openings for these old bones… ha! Favorite discipline Freeflying Skydiving Training Skydive Spaceland What would you most like to improve about the sport of skydiving? Everything, but probably belly and tracking skills Most common mistake you see new jumpers make? Canopy flight and pattern...
Alisha Bloodworth
Alisha Bloodworth
May 27First jump I made my first tandem on July 28, 2012 and signed up for the entire A-license program immediately after I landed. I needed a change in my life, and skydiving seemed like something extreme that could help me push my limits. Jumps 220ish Ratings None Future ratings USPA Coach Container Infinity! I love how customizable their containers are. Mine is beautiful. Plus, it fits me like a glove, is super comfortable, and is incredibly freefly-friendly! Main canopy I fly a Sabre2 135 currently. A lot of people complain about their openings, but with good packing and deployment technique the openings are consistent and relatively soft. I love my Sabre2 because it’s aggressive enough that I can have some fun when I want but it’s not as demanding as the higher performance canopies. Favorite discipline Freeflying Skydiving Training Skydive Spaceland Most common mistake you see new jumpers make? Succumbing to peer pressure… Peer pressure to break-off/pull lower than you’re comfortable with, be one of the “cool kids” by jumping to a new discipline before learning the basics at a slower speed, downsize too quickly, start swooping, stick that camera on your helmet for jump 200…you get the idea. My favorite newer jumpers speak up when a load organizer asks if they’re comfortable with the break-off altitude. They pull themselves off jumps that have gotten too big for their skill level. They don’t let it bother them when someone calls their canopy a “boat.” Those are the jumpers I want to jump with. They know their limits and stick to...
Katrina Shows
Katrina Shows
May 27First jump Oct 1998. Had a friend that who was learning to skydive, like us all it was all she talked about. Hung around the DZ for a while, and decided “what the heck”, I’ll give it a try. Jumps 4500+ Ratings USPA Coach, AFF Instructor, Formation Skydiving Regional Judge Future ratings None Container Icon, because it is the one rig that offered everything that I and the team wanted. It is extremely comfortable, easy to pack (main and reserve), and one of the safest rigs I have ever owned. I love my “Next Generation” icon, the enhancements are fabulous (magnets on riser covers are the bomb! ). Main canopy Depending on what type of skydiving I am doing, I jump different canopies. If I am doing larger skydives, where I want a quicker and more predictable opening canopy, I prefer a Pilot canopy. The openings are extremely dependable, just the right amount of snivel, easy to land in any circumstance, and they are fun to fly as well. When I am not doing larger skydives, I main canopy is a higher performance Sensei. The openings are amazing, and extremely fun to fly. Favorite discipline Relative work (belly flying), Swooping, Freeflying, having fun! Skydiving Training Skydive USA What if anything would you improve in this sport? My friends not getting hurt. I’ve been in the sport a long time, and I have seen too many friends get hurt. Please educate yourself, think about things, and know that not everything that worked for somebody else will work/apply to you. We are all individuals, and we all learn and progress at a different pace. Keep the long-term goal in mind–staying alive. Most common mistake you see new jumpers make? Not asking enough questions, and doing things they are not ready for. Get educated, stay safe. Watch and learn from...