Interview with Autumn Cruz, 29 years, old from the USA
Introduction
I am a photojournalist who works for the Sacramento Bee in California. Eventually I want to take my camera to the sky.
In which country do you skydive? United States of America
What is the name of your home dropzone? Skydance Skydiving in Davis, California
What is the number of jumps you’ve done to date? 62
Tell us about how you got into skydiving:
I met and fell in love with a skydiver while on assignment about a year and a half ago - and thus became introduced to my newest passion. I made my first tandem jump in December 2006 and wrote about my experience in my newspaper. After that, I knew I was hooked, saved some money, took a week off of work, and completed AFF during one intense week in July 2007. It was one of the hardest and most rewarding weeks of my life.
What skills and techniques are you concentrating on now in your skydiving career? I am working on my sit-flying skills. I’m really interested in free-flying and later in free style. I’m also interested in eventually taking pictures in the sky so I need to learn solid flying skills all the way around. My biggest weakness right now is my landings, so I’m trying to figure out where that sweet-spot for my canopy’s flare is so I don’t fall down so much!
About your AFF and A license experience
What year did you complete your AFF course? Lucky day of friday the 13th, July 2007.
Which dropzone did you complete your AFF course and what is it’s location?
Skydance Skydiving, Davis, California, USA.
What was the most difficult aspect of completing the AFF course? Learning how to land. The landing area at skydance is nestled between a set of power lines, a road, a ditch and a gun range… I almost walked out during my first AFF class when I was shown the map of our landing area with the sound of gunshots punctuating the lesson every few seconds. I was so intimidated! To make it even worse, I had a hard landing on my second AFF jump. I made a low turn to avoid hitting power-lines and did a somersault on a concrete road into a ditch… Fortunately I wasn’t hurt - and obviously, I didn’t let it stop me. I have a great respect for the danger of the sport and am committed to safety.
What was the most difficult aspect of obtaining your ‘A’ license?
I’m pretty lucky because my boyfriend taught me everything I needed to know during that time. He’s got more than 2000 jumps and I couldn’t ask for better coaching. So, I guess the worst part of it was the dent in my check-book! Not only paying for the jumps, but I had to buy my own rig because none of the rentals fit me. I’m 5′1″, 110 lbs. NOT an easy size to fit. I had quite a bit of anxiety related to poor-fitting gear and ended up purchasing my own by 11 jumps or so.
What words of encouragement can you give a
student beginning their AFF course training?
Try to plan it so that you can do your AFF training all at once. It’s easier psychologically that way. Skydiving is a commitment that you have to be ready for. Don’t get hard on yourself when you make mistakes, be respectful of the danger and learn from them. Respect yourself and your capabilities, push yourself, but don’t be afraid to ask questions - a failure on this test can have serious consequences. Contrary to what you may have expected, going through AFF might not be a fun experience. It’s scary and exhausting both mentally and physically. You might get banged up. But it’s an amazing experience, so soak it all in, write about it, and remember it! It only happens once in a lifetime and the rewards are second to none!
Have you got a website address? http://www.autumncruz.com
(admin note: Autumn Cruz also has some videos on youtube)
Can you suggest any website links that a student skydiver would find of interest? My blog! www.autumncruz.blogspot.com Drop me a line! And all the usual suspects, uspa.org and dropzone.com
Blue skies everyone!
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