This article is part 6 in a series by our intern, Jack. Enjoy!
Every jump is a new lesson. And as I keep learning to skydive and building confidence one flight at a time, this chapter brought me face-to-face with freedom — and responsibility.
Diving Headfirst
This round started with a new type of exit: the diving exit. No step-off, no hanging from the strut — just a full-on, headfirst leap into the sky. It felt like diving off a cliff. There’s that split second where everything’s chaotic, and then you find your position. I loved it immediately. It gave me this feeling of momentum and control that I hadn’t felt before. It’s easily my favorite exit so far — and definitely one I’ll be repeating.
Docking… Almost
One of the next skills I worked on was docking — approaching another skydiver mid-air and linking up. Mike was my coach for this one. I got close, but I didn’t quite make the connection. It’s harder than it looks. Controlling your fall rate and approach takes serious body awareness. Still, I learned a lot just from the attempt. That kind of proximity work forces you to be hyper-aware — and that’s a skill in itself.
Learning to Skydive Solo for the First Time
This was the big one. My first solo jump, completely on my own. No tandem. No instructor jumping next to me. Just me and the sky. I felt the weight of it as soon as I exited — but instead of panic, there was clarity. I hit my positions, stayed stable, and enjoyed every second of it. Pulling on time, under control, under canopy — it was one of those jumps that marks a turning point. A real confidence builder.
Learning to Skydive with Tracking (and What I Got Wrong)
Next up was tracking — learning how to move across the sky in freefall by adjusting body position. It feels like flying forward, and honestly, I got a little carried away. I was so into it that I let my altitude awareness slip, and I ended up opening lower than I should have — around 3,000 feet, with full canopy at 2,500. Safe, but not ideal. Back on the ground, I got a few laughs from the team — and a reminder that fun shouldn’t override safety.
Redemption in the Sky
I got another chance to track on the following jump. I was the last one out, which gave me space to track along jump run with Mike. This time I stayed focused on altitude, but still had a blast flying across the sky. Best part? I finally nailed it: two solid docks mid-air with Mike. After missing it earlier, making that connection felt huge. Not just a technical win — a confidence win.
Moving Forward
Each of these jumps taught me something. Some lessons came from success, some from mistakes, but all of them pushed me forward. As I keep learning to skydive, it’s becoming less about following instructions and more about making good decisions on my own. And that’s the kind of progress that sticks.
Want to see what student progression looks like? Check out Section 4 – Category C of the USPA SIM for details on controlled freefall training.
Whether you’re booking your first tandem or beginning your student progression, the sky’s waiting.
Ready to begin your own journey? Book your first jump with Skydive Colorado Springs and start learning to skydive today—one leap at a time.