Learning to Navigate the First 100 Jumps With Intention
Getting licensed is a big moment. It’s exciting. It’s empowering. But it can also be a bit overwhelming.
All of a sudden, there’s no instructor manifesting for you. No one building the jump. No one telling you exactly how to exit, when to leave, or what the plan is. You’re responsible for your own decisions now, including who you jump with, what you work on, and when you decide to sit one out.
That freedom is something magical. But it takes a little adjustment to make sure you’re still safe and heading in the right direction for your own goals. Here’s how we recommend navigating this next phase without rushing it or burning out.
Start Small (Smaller Than You Think)
It’s exciting to be able to jump with anyone, but even a group of three already feels big after AFF. You don’t need large formations or complicated plans to make progress. Small groups create a better learning environment. You have more room to focus on your flying without worrying about where everyone else is.
Focus on:
- Two- to five-ways
- Clear, simple jump plans: clean exits, level control, good breakoffs, focused canopy plans
- One main objective per jump: too many objectives will stall your progression
- Always briefing the skydive beforehand and walking it several times. This is how the pros do it. Be a pro.
Quality beats size every time.
Find Coaches and Mentors
You don’t need full-time coaching to progress well, but guidance matters.
Some dropzones offer:
- Free or low-cost load organizing on weekends
- Mentorship programs for jumpers under 100 jumps
- Events specifically for low jump number skydivers
Take advantage of these whenever you can.
Set Up Canopy Coaching Early
This one deserves special emphasis.
Canopy is where many injuries happen. Canopy coaching isn’t reserved only for getting licensed. Many great canopy pilots and competitors took courses early on to understand how to fly their wing in all scenarios and conditions, not just how to land it.
Think of canopy coaching as investing in longevity. Find a good course or a trusted canopy coach and book yourself coaching. You’ll love the confidence it builds in your flying.
Make Friends
Dropzones can feel intimidating at first as a new skydiver. But if there’s one special thing about our sport, it’s the community. Introduce yourself to people. Ask questions. Find others on the DZ around the same skill level as you. Introduce yourself to the staff.
Start small here too. You don’t need to fit into a big group right away. One or two people at a similar stage can turn solo jumps into enjoyable progression. Community builds faster than you expect once you take the first step.
Ask Experienced Jumpers for Help
You are not expected to know everything right now. You’re not expected to know everything, ever. Sub-100 jumps means you’re still very much a beginner. Other jumpers know this. Staff know this. So enjoy this phase. Instructors, coaches, packers and riggers, DZ managers, and experienced fun jumpers can all be valuable resources, and most are happy to help.
Educate yourself by asking questions about:
- Weather and wind conditions: what they mean, why they matter, and what to check on the days you’re jumping.
- Emergency procedures: what to do, what things have people experienced themselves, what was their reserve experience like.
- How to build simple, safe jump plans: ask organizers to help if you lose momentum.
- Gear: if you have questions about your gear, ask. Do not jump with doubts.
- Packing tips: Unsure about your packing? Have someone check your pack job or take another packing course.
- Exit order and aircraft emergency procedures: don’t get on the plane without understanding this. Talk to the pilot or load master.
Asking questions isn’t a weakness. It’s a lifesaver in this sport, and it shortens the learning curve.
Set Small Goals (And Know Your Big Goals)
A quick way to lose enjoyment in skydiving is to spend hundreds of jumps without goals. It’s possible to enter the sport and burn out quickly if all your jumps are no-plan skydives without progression.
Good early goals might look like:
- Being able to exit stable from anywhere in the door, inside or outside
- Clean, consistent breakoffs
- Ability to fly slow fall and fast fall with different groups
- Accuracy and consistency on landings
Small wins stack. Big skills are built from consistency and built on setting and achieving small goals.
Build a Personal Routine
Routines create calm. Calm creates better decisions. Create a routine you use for every skydive. This might include:
- Full gear checks before every jump
- Being at the boarding area on the 10-minute call, every time
- Checking weather and winds before gearing up
- Running a mental dirt dive at a certain altitude on the plane
- Using a short breathing routine before exit
Let your routine become your anchor. It helps reduce stress when the DZ feels busy or chaotic.
Don’t Rush Your Experience
You’re not behind. You’re not supposed to have it all figured out. And you don’t need to rush to prove anything. Take your time. Build good habits. Ask questions. Choose quality over quantity. The jumpers who last the longest and fly the best are the ones who built a strong foundation and kept themselves safe.
