Posts Tagged ‘extreme sports’
In this installment of our go skydiving guide we look at static line jumps.
In static line skydiving, you have a line pre-attached to the pack on your back which contains your parachute, which pulls the parachute open automatically as you leave the plane.
Exiting at about 3,500-4,000 feet (1,067-1,220m) above the ground, though in some cases higher, the line opens the chute a few seconds after you leave the plane and your rate of descent drops from about 120 mph (193 kph) to around 10 mph (16 kph).
Instructors will be in the plane with you prior to your jump and will ensure that the line mechanism is attached properly but they don’t exit the plane with you. Normally though, as you descend, you’ll typically be in two-way radio contact with an instructor on the ground who will provide directions on landing.
While the static line automatically deploys the parachute, jumpers still need to learn how to exit the plane, how to steer the chute and how to land safely. They also need to know how to release the reserve parachute in case of emergency. This training usually takes roughly half a day.
Static line jumping tends to be cheaper than other forms of jumping as it requires only a few hours of training and each instructor can train a small group of students at the one time. Prices will vary depending on the location of the skydiving school and whether the jumps are paid for singly or in blocks.
As well as being the cheaper option, it also has the advantages of getting you up in the air quickly and of your being on your own from the minute you exit the plane (though some might not see the this latter point as an advantage).
But people who aim to become regular skydivers see static line jumping simply as a stepping stone. They tend to progress to accelerated freefall training and solo jumping as they want more time in freefall.
Accelerated freefall training is the focus of this installment of our go skydiving guide.
Accelerated freefall – or AFF – training is method of parachute instruction intended to get novices jumping in freefall in the quickest possible time. It costs more than other forms of skydiving training, but for people who aim to become regular skydivers will need undertake an AFF course, although they may choose to do tandem or static line jumping, or both, before starting AFF.
AFF training’s first stage is instruction on the ground. Normally, this takes roughly 6-8 hours. These demonstrations and lectures will cover topics such as exiting the plane, positioning your body, deploying and steering the parachute, and landing.
After the initial theoretical training you’ll then be taken up in a plane with your instructor so you can put into practice what you’ve learnt so far. The instructor will exit the plane with you, as in tandem jumping, but instead of being attached closely together by a harness, they instead just grip you by the hand or wrist.
The instructor guides you so that you’re able and ready to deploy your parachute at the proper time and can land safely on your own. If necessary, in case of any problems arising, the instructor can open your parachute for you.
They communicate with you either with through two-way radios located in both of your helmets or via pre-determined sets of hand signals, so it’s easy enough to let them know if you’re in need of assistance. They’ll also observe you and make mental notes and will then advise you after you land as to how you can improve next time.
After a few more jumps, there might be more on-ground lectures and demonstration, this time covering more advanced skills. After as few as eight assisted jumps and 10 solo skydives, trainees can acquire enough experience, skills and knowledge to earn a skydiving license.
Dirt Jumping is a discipline of MTB which copies that of BMX dirt jumping. A rider will ride at high speed either on the flat, or on a drop in for an instant hit of speed. Instead of other styles where riders are timed, dirt jumping is built on a scoring system for the stunts performed on the trails.
Bikes
Freestyle frames have a change in geometry than that of standard MTB Frames. A dirt jump frame is generally made of much robust and often heavier material in order to them to stand up to the amount of punishment they are put through.
Jumps
Doubles – Sometimes called gap jump, this is where two separate mounds are arranged and the rider will jump a transition between the two carrying out a stunt. These are the most well known and are often seen at sporting sports such as X-Games.
Tabletop – These jumps are setup where there is a slope at the beginning and finish of a jump with a flat surface in between. This is a bit similar to the double jumps but with the middle filled in which makes tabletops better designed for new riders who might not complete the transition between gap.
Ski Jumps – Arranged similar to standard ski jumps where the name comes from, these are lengthy ramps generally setup on downhill parts of freeride trails where the slope can act as a landing.
Roller Jumps – Generally arranged at the beginning of a course, they are intended to give you extra velocity.
Rhythms – Designed for a user to manual over them, rhythms are normally arranged together in groups of 3 or more and are small rounded jumps like very large speed bumps.
Spine Jumps – Similar to spines at a skate park, spine jumps are made of a single earth work with no tabletop or transition in-between. Spines are especially great for pulling big air tricks.
Berms – This is a curved wall ride that is built up out of the trail. Often situated on the edges of dirt or downhill trails to enable you to turn without losing too much speed.
Hip – Hip are designed to force the rider jump at an angle. Once again this is another way to force the rider to turn without a loss of speed but also shows the technical ability of the rider to pick lines through the course.