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Just this week we had a freshly graduated AFF student with 9 jumps to his name weighing in at 160 pounds (190 pounds exit weight) try to jump a 170 Hornet canopy. An instructor realized his error in judgment before he headed to the plane. The jumper claimed instructors at another drop zone told him he should start jumping a 170 square foot canopy. What are these instructors thinking? And why are so many young skydivers so eager to get themselves under smaller and smaller canopies? Ron Hill of the 4-way team Frost believes experienced jumpers are to blame. “It is just human nature for people to want to be ‘cool and groovy’ and try and jump gear that is above them,” Hill said. “My real issue is with not enough experienced jumpers telling these new guys that they are being short sighted. I always tell new people that they can have cool small gear if they LIVE through the gear they have now. Most people don't want to appear uncool and tell newbies that they should chill out a little.” Instructors as well as experienced jumpers in general need to be better role models to our young jumpers and dish out “uncool” advice on canopy sizing relevant to a skydiver’s weight, jump experience, skill level, physical ability and currency. All of these factors must be taken into account when choosing to rent, borrow or buy a canopy to jump. Learn how to determine your wing loading on a canopy. The canopy size is found on the label. To determine your exit weight, weigh yourself wearing the clothes you normally skydive in and add 30 pounds for all of your gear. The aforementioned jumper would have been at a 1.1:1 wing loading. For this jumper’s experience level a 1:1 or .9:1 ratio is more appropriate. Talk with your instructors and your local S&TA about your appropriate wing loading. Canopy size is one of the most important decisions in skydiving and has a direct bearing on your success or demise in this sport. Don’t take it lightly.

I’m headed to the Parachute Industry Association International Parachute Symposium in Jacksonville, Fla. I’ve heard too many raves from past participants and it’s only a 5 hour drive from my home this year so it would be asinine not to partake in the rigging seminars. Although it may be too late to make travel plans for most riggers and skydivers, I do recommend those within driving distance to at least check it out for a day or two. Seminars are scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 28 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wed. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thurs. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can still get a single-day pass for $95, which includes entrance to all the seminars and to the exhibit hall. While the continuing education course for riggers is a big part of the symposium, there is much to be seen and heard for all within the skydiving industry. Seminar topics include rigging, skydiving, technical, management, government and BASE jumping. The PIA along with manufacturers, dealers, drop zone owners, riggers and skydivers are making a concentrated effort to get the most up-to-date information into the hands of “riggers in the field.” We have a responsibility to our skydiving and pilot customers to be familiar with the latest rigging information and techniques. As a rigger, some of the more interesting or pertinent seminars include “Re-Engineering the Three-Ring Release” by Ian Bellis, “Square Repairs” by “Rags” Raghanti, “A New Type of Canopy Quick Release” by Doug Bahniuk and “Drop Testing Challenges. 15 pounds to 4000 pounds and Beyond” by Frank Deazley. Also, manufacturers such as Sun Path, Jump Shack, Para-Phernalia, Aerodyne and Relative Workshop will be giving reserve packing seminars with plenty of tips for a neater, more reliable and better looking finished pack job and closed container. Click this link for more information. Hope to see you there! I may end up there the whole week. :-)