{"id":61055,"date":"2025-11-21T20:28:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T20:28:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=61055"},"modified":"2026-01-29T12:16:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T12:16:26","slug":"skydivers-dictionary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/skydivers-dictionary\/","title":{"rendered":"Skydiver\u2019s Dictionary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From boogies to burble, what it all means<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Skydiving, like most sports, has its own language. From \u201cburble\u201d to \u201cboogie,\u201d some words don\u2019t quite make sense at the beginning, until you\u2019ve been in the sport a while. Learning the lingo early on helps you understand what\u2019s happening at the DZ, stay safe, and feel more at home in the community. Here are some of the most common terms you\u2019ll hear in our sport and what they mean. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basic Skydiving Terms<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

DZ – <\/strong>Short for dropzone, the hub where all the skydiving happens.
AFF – <\/strong>Accelerated Freefall – this is the course you take to become a licensed skydiver.\u00a0
Rig<\/strong> \u2013 The full parachute system, including the main canopy, reserve canopy, and container.
Canopy<\/strong> \u2013 The parachute itself. We commonly say \u201ccanopy,\u201d in some areas much more than parachute.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Daniel Angulo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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In the Plane & Freefall<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jump run<\/strong> \u2013 The flight path the aircraft flies for skydivers to exit.
Spot<\/strong> \u2013 The point over the ground\/DZ where jumpers exit.
Spotting<\/strong> – Checking the ground to see if the spot for exit is as planned, acceptable.\u00a0
Exit<\/strong> \u2013 The moment you leave the aircraft. There are different types of exits depending on the jump.
Freefall<\/strong> \u2013 The part of the skydive before your canopy opens.
Track<\/strong> \u2013 Moving horizontally in freefall by adjusting your body position. It\u2019s done at the end of a jump to create separation before opening.
Breakoff<\/strong> \u2013 The moment jumpers separate from each other before deployment.
Burble<\/strong> \u2013 A pocket of turbulent, messy air that forms right behind a skydiver.\u00a0
Winds aloft<\/strong> \u2013 The wind speeds and directions at different altitudes.\u00a0
Ceiling<\/strong> \u2013 The height of the base of the clouds that determines if it\u2019s safe to jump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Daniel Angulo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Safety & Equipment<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

AAD (Automatic Activation Device)<\/strong> \u2013 A small electronic device that automatically deploys your reserve parachute if you haven\u2019t done so by a certain altitude.
Reserve<\/strong> \u2013 Your backup parachute.\u00a0
RSL (Reserve Static Line)<\/strong> \u2013 A device that connects your main canopy risers to the reserve system, triggering reserve deployment when you cut away the main.
Audible<\/strong> \u2013 A beeping altimeter worn inside your helmet that signals preset altitudes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Daniel Angulo <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Culture<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Skills camp<\/strong> \u2013 A coached event focused on progression of and exploration of group flying skills.\u00a0
Boogie<\/strong> \u2013 A large skydiving gathering that usually includes organized jumps, different aircraft and parties.\u00a0
Beer Fine<\/strong> \u2013 A friendly tradition where a jumper buys beer for milestones (first jump, first cutaway, etc.) or mistakes (landing beyond the \u2018beer line\u2019).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are small nuances you\u2019ll pick up as you spend more time in the sport. But the first step of understanding what\u2019s happening around you and communicating clearly is speaking the same language. If you bump into words or things that don\u2019t make sense, it\u2019s 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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