{"id":42077,"date":"2022-05-31T13:42:08","date_gmt":"2022-05-31T13:42:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=42077"},"modified":"2022-06-17T06:11:32","modified_gmt":"2022-06-17T06:11:32","slug":"downsizing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/downsizing\/","title":{"rendered":"Downsizing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Will Penny, on his VK71PS, by Timothy Parrant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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It\u2019s a question that gets asked at every dropzone, every weekend\u2026. I want to downsize\u2026 how small can I go ? \u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • Have you asked this question?<\/strong><\/li>
  • Do you know someone who has?<\/strong><\/li>
  • Is it even a taboo subject sometimes?<\/strong><\/li>
  • How do you know when it\u2019s right or wrong for that matter?<\/strong><\/li>
  • Who do you ask?<\/strong><\/li>
  • How do you ask?<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    That\u2019s before you get anywhere near an answer!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Downsizing can be an incredibly tricky subject; you can apply a formula but everyone\u2019s needs, experience and desires are all different. With the right methodology and the right advice, it can be accomplished in a safe and systematic way should you wish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why do you want to downsize?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The first thing we need to identify is why<\/strong> we want to downsize. Perhaps we even make it difficult for people to even ask. Maybe we even push the issue underground or abroad, where there are fewer rules, without realising that’s what is going on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Some of the more common reasons I come across for downsizing are set out here, but this list is not exhaustive. The aim of this article is to highlight the common reasons for downsizing, give some insights, highlight the dangers and suggest how to accomplish this in a safe and systematic manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    “I want to go faster” \u2013 Are you ready?
    Photo: PD Valkyrie by Chris Sears<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    I want to go faster<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    For many of us once we finish AFF and start building up a few jumps we suddenly get the urge to want to go faster and faster. Is this wrong? I think by design most of us are \u201cType A\u201d personalities wanting to push ourselves, looking for excitement, that is why we skydive, right? The desire to go faster is certainly out there. Is there a way to do this safely? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Going fast can be fun \u2013 but are we ready for all that speed and of course the pressure it puts on us?!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    More Fun<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    “My canopy is slow and boring, I want to have more fun. I see skydivers zipping around the sky on these smaller wings, clearly having way more fun than me. I want to do that.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Is there any way to zip around and change how you fly your current canopy? As an example, check out this video of JC Colclasure swooping a PD Sabre2 170 \u2013 that’s right, a 170. How much more fun do you need?!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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