From boogies to burble, what it all means
Skydiving, like most sports, has its own language. From “burble” to “boogie,” some words don’t quite make sense at the beginning, until you’ve been in the sport a while. Learning the lingo early on helps you understand what’s happening at the DZ, stay safe, and feel more at home in the community. Here are some of the most common terms you’ll hear in our sport and what they mean.
Basic Skydiving Terms
DZ – Short for dropzone, the hub where all the skydiving happens.
AFF – Accelerated Freefall – this is the course you take to become a licensed skydiver.
Rig – The full parachute system, including the main canopy, reserve canopy, and container.
Canopy – The parachute itself. We commonly say “canopy,” in some areas much more than parachute.
In the Plane & Freefall
Jump run – The flight path the aircraft flies for skydivers to exit.
Spot – The point over the ground/DZ where jumpers exit.
Spotting – Checking the ground to see if the spot for exit is as planned, acceptable.
Exit – The moment you leave the aircraft. There are different types of exits depending on the jump.
Freefall – The part of the skydive before your canopy opens.
Track – Moving horizontally in freefall by adjusting your body position. It’s done at the end of a jump to create separation before opening.
Breakoff – The moment jumpers separate from each other before deployment.
Burble – A pocket of turbulent, messy air that forms right behind a skydiver.
Winds aloft – The wind speeds and directions at different altitudes.
Ceiling – The height of the base of the clouds that determines if it’s safe to jump.
Safety & Equipment
AAD (Automatic Activation Device) – A small electronic device that automatically deploys your reserve parachute if you haven’t done so by a certain altitude.
Reserve – Your backup parachute.
RSL (Reserve Static Line) – A device that connects your main canopy risers to the reserve system, triggering reserve deployment when you cut away the main.
Audible – A beeping altimeter worn inside your helmet that signals preset altitudes.
Culture
Skills camp – A coached event focused on progression of and exploration of group flying skills.
Boogie – A large skydiving gathering that usually includes organized jumps, different aircraft and parties.
Beer Fine – A friendly tradition where a jumper buys beer for milestones (first jump, first cutaway, etc.) or mistakes (landing beyond the ‘beer line’).
There are small nuances you’ll pick up as you spend more time in the sport. But the first step of understanding what’s happening around you and communicating clearly is speaking the same language. If you bump into words or things that don’t make sense, it’s always welcome to speak to instructors, S&TAs, and DZ managers to better understand these words. Before you know it, this language will be commonplace. Enjoy the journey!
