I noticed something last night. I've come a long way from my first year of jumping. Thinking back, i wasn't ready to jump that first building we did. None of us had been on a building before (yea yea, you still think that smokestack was a building?? ) nor had we had very many cliff jumps or more importantly relevant canopy experience. For myself at least I know only now looking back that I didn't have skills to deal with a shitty situation had it occurred. I was counting on the statistics the favored my canopy opening with acceptable amount of deviation from on-heading and no malfunctions. Nonetheless we got in, got up, and got off cleanly. Lately I can see how fast I am on my toggles and and how aware I am of everything in freefall and under canopy in not so perfect situations. Last night I had the pleasure of jumping a building with some bros I havent made a jump with in a while. 200', lots of obstacles. The object is not old and so far there has been broken bones, hung canopys, a rooftop landing and some other events already at the site. I got the 90 right that nobody wanted and at the end of the flight after avoiding a moving car, street lamps, trees, and that rooftop landing I came in fast with a PLF and was glad I wasn't "too cool" not to put on my kneepads and spine protector. I even kept moving right out of the roll pulling my canopy from the street and hopping into a getaway. I think I did everything that could be done with the situation at hand and I came out on top. Well maybe not everything, because I know some of the ace pilots out there could of probably still found a way to stand it up but pretty damn close. 4 years ago I would have been hanging from a lightpole or hit by the car. I've never been a natural but I'm quite proud of how I've progressed.
I'm happier being the person that has the ability to deal with the shit than just jump hoping it doesn't happen. In fact, I'd rather have an issue every jump and have the skills to come out on top than never have a problem but be afraid of them arising all the time.
Has anybody else recently looked back and noticed how time, patience, and experience has paid off?
Mess up the mix, mix up the mess
nick rugai wears a pink dress
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