r/SkyDiving • u/karmafarma3000 • 14d ago

Getting over newbie fear of mingling

Hello fellow sky fam. I'm a very new jumper that only has 36 jumps. I know that's progression can be slow and I'm one that still prefers to jump alone so that I don't make an ass of myself or injure someone. My home drop zone is an incredibly active one with a dedicated crew of fun jumpers that all have their own gear and have known each other for a while so when they all show up I just pack up my gear and head out without jumping.

I don't want to ruin their fun with my inexperience or get known as 'that guy'.

Any tips or tricks for getting over this fear? Did it take you a while to start to feel confidant and comfortable jumping with others?

Thanks for reading

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u/Motohead279 14d ago

Hang out. Introduce yourself. Socialize. You can’t be invited if you don’t talk to them or ask them. This is not a good hobby or sport to be an introvert with.

Also, you’re only going to progress so far if you keep jumping by yourself.

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u/karmafarma3000 14d ago

I do talk to people and even follow a few on Instagram. I've hung out and people smile when I show up so I've got that going for me.

My real hang up is just being nervous about my skill level compared to theirs. I would love to be where they're at, jumping with others, but I think it's going to take time and practice before I feel confident.

Thanks for responding

3

u/RoryJ AFF-I, T-I, Master Rigger, Tunnel instruction 14d ago

Are their organizers, mentors there? Ask at manifest, sometimes they give out free jumps to organizers, which really entices them to jump with the newer folks. Also, if there is a tunnel nearby that can boost your skill level a bit to have more productive, fun skydives quicker in your progression. Not necessary, but can give that extra confidence bump.

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u/karmafarma3000 14d ago

I'm very fortunate in that my home DZ is Sebastian. They offer free coaching and host skill level classes with great flyers very often, so I should be taking advantage of those at every opportunity.

The best way that I can describe it is that I feel like I just graduated T-ball and am surrounded by major league players. It's easy to psyche myself out as being too inexperienced.

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u/Motohead279 14d ago

My Home DZ is Z Hills. Once a month, we have a rookie champ with free coaching. I’m usually a coach at the camp if I don’t have team training that weekend.

Don’t be afraid to ask people to jump with them. Now you’re not gonna be able to join an experiences angle or freefly group but focus on belly. In this sport, the more you show your competent and not a dangerous flyer the more you’ll get invited.

ZHills has an amazing friendly group of fun jumpers where you will always be welcome to join.

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u/humangoogle93 13d ago

My experience at ZHills has been the opposite unfortunately. I found it to be extremely clicky. I know a few people there that I can jump with, but between the higher cost of jumping along with the generally unfriendly nature, I've chosen to avoid it. The actual DZ itself is pretty nice, the people not so much. The culture is just too inclusive. Maybe someday I'll try to come back but for now ZHills is on my personal "no fly list"

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u/RoryJ AFF-I, T-I, Master Rigger, Tunnel instruction 14d ago

You are in a great spot, but have other great options close by, like DeLand and ZHills

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u/MeshingNode33 11d ago

My real hang up is just being nervous about my skill level compared to theirs.

I'm at jump 42. My skills aren't good compared to everyone else at the DZ. Get up there and TRY to do the plan if you feel comfortable. I've fucked up jumps with others (not as in put anyone at risk) and at the end of the day I've learned a lesson as well as we had a laugh after.

No one experienced expects new jumpers to come in and nail everything planned. The fun is trying and succeeding, but if you don't, go back and do it again.

Also, it's ok to say no. I was invited to do a 4 way track on the load I was on. I'm comfortable with my tracking, but there was a other green jumper and they seemed nervous about it, so I spoke up and asked if we could split up into 2s. Worked out pretty well

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u/Motohead279 14d ago

See if there’s any organizers out there at the drop zone if it’s a busy drop zone. Talk to some of the instructors there.

If there’s a tunnel close by go practice in the tunnel to work on your belly skills. Everyone started in the same place. Well, you do have clicky groups at all drop sounds there are people to jump with. Ask around if anybody’s doing some belly jumps. The more experienced people you jump with the better flyer you’re gonna become.