Thursday, May 03, 2012

To Three or Not to Three

The plan was simple.  I'd exit with one jumper, we'd catch up with the second.   If altitude permitted, we'd do some simple moves.  I was excited.  My first three way! 

There was a problem with this plan:  I was one of the jumpers. 
Sure, I'd rehearsed on the ground with the others.  In the plane, I rehearsed it in my head...
...but the exit shouldn't have looked like this:
and the "fall down to meet the other jumper" part shouldn't have played like this:





Spinning away like a Chinese star wasn't part of the plan either...
I got stable, and got out of there...
...because I didn't want to put anyone else in danger*..

My inner critic was so mad!
He says I'm clumsy and stupid.  I maintain that I "only" need more practice. Lots of practice.   Especially on altering my fall rate. Gotta be able to keep up with my sky neighbors.
That being said, I think I'll stick to solos and two ways for awhile...

*I did have the sense to track in a safe direction this wasn't a random dash.


Just added- here's a video of the jump.  That's me in the yellow helmet:
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8 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:22 PM

    No solos! You learn nothing on solos (unless you're practicing canopy flight). Two-ways or more.

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  2. Linda Davick8:40 AM

    This was really fun.

    Ha,ha--- the writing is a crackup too:
    "There was a problem with this plan:  I was one of the jumpers."

    ReplyDelete
  3. Namowal (Jennifer Bourne)10:00 AM

    Anon,
    I agree that I get more out of a jump when I jump with someone else. I'm rather shy about asking others to jump with me, however, so I've relied on brave volunteers so far.

    Linda,
    Thanks! I spent more time than I normally do on the drawings because I figured the story worked better in pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous1:27 PM

    At Elsinore, they normally have load organizers every weekend day. If you are shy asking specific people to jump with you, go to manifest and ask who the belly organizer is that day. Then find that person, tell them your level, and see if they can help you find someone to jump with. (That's their job, so don't feel like you're bothering them.) They should organize you in a two-way, or maybe take you up in a simple three-way. As long as you're honest about your skills, you needn't worry about messing up others' jumps. And go to all the Excel camps.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Namowal (Jennifer Bourne)2:17 PM

    Thanks Anon (is this the same Anon as before?). If the help is there, I may as well take advantage of it. :D

    ReplyDelete
  6. Namowal (Jennifer Bourne)2:17 PM

    Thanks Anon (is this the same Anon as before?). If the help is there, I may as well take advantage of it. :D

    ReplyDelete
  7. Pile Girl9:42 PM

    Your illustrations are fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Namowal (Jennifer Bourne)12:56 PM

    Thanks, Pile Girl! :)

    ReplyDelete

I dislike typing the quasi-legible words too, but without them it's Spam City, Sorry!