Canadian skydiver Martin Lemay is quite familiar with working with jumpers who take a part of the year off, due to weather.
Martin is a competitive skydiver in several disciplines and has represented Canada at many World events. He is an active Flight-1 canopy instructor as well as a member of Canadian National team Evolution.
Group awareness, tracking, clear skies for opening and canopy control/landing are all critically important.
- FS (RW) flyers should start with familiar exits you have confidence in and a jump sequence everybody can nail. Nothing better than a successful jump!
- Freeflyers, start your season with buddies you know and have jumped with before. Avoiding the unknowns to start the season is a must. Start in your comfort zone, even if it means doing a solo skydive.
Lastly, getting current is something EVERY skydiver needs to understand. There are some habits you develop over time that can get lost or forgotten at the beginning of the season. Gear checks, exit orders, letting someone know you will be tracking, tracking jump headings, and so on.
Of course, there are people on the DZ (DZO’s, senior instructors) who can and will help you out, but remember that you are responsible for your own safety.Getting current in freefall is not a one jump or a one day thing. Accept that it takes a bit of time to get back in the game. Be wise early in the summer so that you can enjoy a full summer of jumping.