7 Insider Tips To Help You Succeed Through AFF

If you’re reading this, you’ve most likely been bitten by the skydiving bug and are chomping at the bit to discover more of this exciting sport. We were once in your shoes – checking the weather every day, researching how to start solo skydiving, and dreaming everything skydiving. There’s much to learn, but here are 7 solid insider tips to help set the right foundation in order to breeze through AFF.

Insider Tip #1 – Don’t Get Ahead of Yourself

The accessibility of information at our fingertips is amazing, but it’s important you don’t get too ahead of yourself. There’s a lot of nuance in skydiving that you’ll not learn from YouTube videos. Listen and trust the experience of your instructors. Consuming lots of videos and information without context can set you back; it’s easy to misinterpret the information. So, before you begin your AFF journey, be open-minded. Your instructors will present information in a logical way, and information you are ready to take on as you progress.

Insider Tip #2 – Allocate Enough Time

Learning to solo skydive takes time. We are all busy people and we can pack a lot in our day. When coming out for your AFF jumps, please plan to spend the entire day with us to make your jumps. There is a bit of training that happens before and after each jump, and sometimes we can have unexpected delays such as weather. Allocating enough time will help you stay focused on your jumps.

Insider Tip #3 – Stay Current

Not unlike learning to drive, the more you get behind the wheel, the more confident you feel. If you only drove once a month after getting your driver’s license, then you’d be a nervous wreck every time you needed to go somewhere (not to mention your lack of experience would be dangerous to others on the road).

Staying current means you’re jumping regularly without big time gaps between jumps. If too much time elapses, information and confidence fades. The more you jump, the better because you’ll retain more information, build confidence, and progress more safely.

Insider Tip #4 – Take Advantage of Tunnel Training

Flying in a wind tunnel can’t replicate exiting an airplane or flying a parachute, but it can help advance body position and control skills much faster! The faster you learn the more engaged you’ll be as you see real progress being made. Also, it helps your confidence! It’s not by accident that the world’s best skydivers all train in a wind tunnel – it’s an invaluable tool that’s hugely beneficial when combined with sound coaching.

But don’t let the wind tunnel take over your real skydiving. Get your basic AFF Course done first.
Be sure to ask us about how we incorporate this in our AFF Program if we think the wind tunnel could help you.

Insider Tip #5: Buy AFF Packages

Learning to skydive is an expensive endeavor, so save money wherever you can. The upfront investment is a bit steeper, but it will save you a lot of money in the long run as you’ll be wishing to invest in your own gear in short order. If you’re committed to becoming a skydiver, we highly encourage you to take advantage of our AFF Packages as they are the best way to save money!

Insider Tip #6: Get Immersed in the Community

It’s easy to feel like an outsider when you enter a new community and the best way to feel included is to get plugged in as soon as possible. Plan to stay after hours and eat together (and have a few drinks together). A big part of the bonding and culture of skydiving is found after the jumping is over usually at the bonfire or bar. It’s here where lifelong friendships are often made and your soon to be jumping buddies. If you only show up to jump and then leave, you’ll be missing out a big aspect of the skydiving experience.

It’s not uncommon for many skydivers to stay the weekend with us in order to jump all weekend long – plan to do the same! We have fun social gatherings, and plenty of incredible people on our team. We have a range of accommodation to rent from motel and self contained units, plus caravans, backpacker budget rooms and camping. When you feel a part of the community, learning to skydive becomes a bit easier and for others, more fun! You know what we’re known for – right?!

Insider Tip #7: Continue to Learn

In skydiving, there’s always something to learn. Ask for advice, chat with others who are more experienced than you as no one has this sport completely mastered. Skydive Ramblers is fortunate to have a community of jumpers committed to progress in the sport. We have a calendar full of great events for jumpers who just earned their license or for those seeking to train to be on a world record. Check out our events HERE and see what you can look forward to.

Are you ready to take the next step and start AFF? Contact us to book and let’s get you in the sky!