Don’t Be That Guy (or Girl!)
Don’t Be That Guy (or Girl!)
Jul 18Here at AXIS Flight School, it is our mission to create knowledgeable, well-rounded and aware skydivers. Basically, we train people to be as badass and awesome as humanly possible. We publish lots of articles and tips on how to achieve super-hero status through technical information. But there is that other side of being the coolest person on drop zone that, before now, was the “unwritten” side. The things that many in the ranks of badassness didn’t want you to know. But, at AXIS, we believe in Equal Opportunity Awesomeness. Here are a couple tips for all of you youngsters out there. To My Dudes If you are sitting on the airplane and everyone is a guy but one female, and you think you are slick with your demo helmet, your adjustable main lift web, and your jumpsuit that you just bought off the rack because it fit perfectly, and then you turn to the one chick on the aircraft and you say, “Hey honey, you going to get us extra altitude?” In order to save yourself some embarrassment, make sure that the chick you say this to does not have fill-stitch embroidery of several large manufacturers on her jumpsuit. I’ll give you a hint: That means she is so badass that she is not only sponsored, but she is going to be the person you have to go to when you want to get your sorry-ass stable because you keep going low on all the formations. She is a top Sky Goddess, you douchebag. How to not be that guy? There is nothing wrong with being a newbie in this sport. However, you must realize when you are a newbie and you must be able to read your audience. Keep quiet, work on your own personal skills and become a top Sky god. When that happens, women will just take their shirts off for you as you walk by. You won’t even have to ask. To My Ladies If you met your current boyfriend while you were an AFF student and he was a more experienced jumper or even your instructor, he does not love you. Not even close. The only reason he is going out with you is because you lack the experience in this sport to realize that he is a complete tool who can barely fall stable. He just appears hot because he owns his own gear....
Vanessa Potts
Vanessa Potts
Jul 17First jump April 21, 2012 I did my first tandem which was also an SCR and an ash dive to release my dad’s ashes. July 7, 2012 I did my first solo after saving up my money for the course. Nothing is more beautiful and healing than skydiving. Jumps 119+ Ratings None Future ratings USPA Coach; AFF Instructor; Tandem Instructor; PRO Rating Container I jump an Infinity by Velocity. I picked an Infinity because it came standard with an RSL, had a non exposed reserve pilot chute, and the placement of the AAD’s screen forces you to do a reserve pin check every time you turn it on and check the AAD before each jump. I also loved the color choices, designs, and overall look. Main canopy I fly a sabre 2 150. I love the canopy for the soft openings, easy toggle input, and forgiveness with packing techniques. It also has a long recovery arc which will be helpful later on when in hundreds of jumps from now I start learning the basics of swooping. Favorite discipline Freeflying Skydiving Training Skydive Spaceland What if anything would you improve in this sport? I’d like jumpers to be more aware and educated on their gear. Too many times I see jumpers who can’t even connect a canopy to their risers. Something so basic as that and a jumper can’t do it worries me for their safety. I believe all jumpers should have to have a working knowledge of their gear. Most common mistake you see new jumpers make? I see two. The first is learning to freefly without having a basis in belly. I don’t think a set number should be placed on jumps before you can freefly, but a certain skill set should be achieved. Everyone should be able to fly in a basic formation safely and turn some points. I also think they should be strong trackers before getting on big way jumps. Tracking isn’t focused on enough for the safety aspect of horizontal separation on opening. My other most common mistake seen is girls all too willing to sleep with instructors. They’re teaching you to be a safe skydiver, not have safe...
Nicole Black
Nicole Black
Jul 17First jump August 2011. I made my first jump because several people from my family were going to jump, including my 83 year old grandpa. I tried to chicken out and they all told me NO! I did that first jump and have never looked back! Jumps 680+ Ratings None Future ratings USPA Coach; AFF Instructor Container Javelin. I originally bought it because I knew they were comfortable from using the student rigs and used one just happened to come up for sale when I needed it. I will continue to jump Javelin because I love my container and see no reason to switch if it’s comfy and safe Main canopy Right now a Sabre2 135, looking for a Sabre2 120 though. I fly this canopy because it has predictable openings, does everything I need it to do and gets me to the ground safe every time. Favorite discipline Relative work (belly flying); Freeflying Skydiving Training Skydive Spaceland Most common mistake you see new jumpers make? I think you get so bombarded with information as a new jumper that you don’t really know who you should be taking advice from. It took me a little while to figure out that maybe I should be getting advice from small girls like myself instead of big guys, because what works for them won’t neccessarily work for...
Kristin Singleton
Kristin Singleton
Jul 17First jump June 1st 2011 Jumps 260+ Ratings None Future ratings USPA Coach Container Infinity. I liked the way it looked and it was in my price range. They also have great customer service and anytime I’ve had a problem they’ve been on top of it and gotten it fixed with no problem or hesitation! Main canopy Sabre2 150. I just downsized. I like the way the sabre2 flies and it’s the main canopy I’ve always flown. Favorite discipline Relative work (belly flying); Freeflying Skydiving Training Skydive Spaceland What if anything would you improve in this sport? Docking while free flying and small group belly flying. Also learning to clean up my back track and get it moving faster. Most common mistake you see new jumpers make? Trying to learn free flying too fast. Not working enough on belly jumps and stable back...
Paula Urcid
Paula Urcid
Jul 17Paula is a freeflyer and head manifestor at Skydive Spaceland. First jump Skydive Chicago! I jumped with my dad and two friends for my 22nd birthday. Jumps 400+ Ratings None Future ratings USPA Coach; Tandem Instructor Container Javelin Legacy, pull out system. I have always liked the safety, comfort, and design of a Sun Path container. I had a used Javelin that was older but was still extremely air worthy and freefly friendly. That, to me, says a lot about the product. When it came time for a brand new one, I stuck to Sun Path and and am even happier with my custom Javelin. Main canopy Icarus Crossfire 2 109, but just ordered a Crossfire 2 99 Favorite discipline Freeflying Skydiving Training Skydive Chicago What if anything would you improve in this sport? I am at a point where I would like to learn more canopy skills and the Crossfire 2 is a happy medium between docile and high performance canopies. I have a lot to learn and feel that this is the right canopy for that. Most common mistake you see new jumpers make? Being too shy to ask a question whether it be about a gear check or loading/exit order and everything in between. We are all family in this sport and are STILL learning whether we have 25 jumps or 10000. Ask away, boys and...