So you want to try a new canopy and you have already asked what your friends, instructors, gear dealer, and local sky gods think about the subject, and they have given their opinions - repeatedly.
Unfortunately, as you have probably found, opinions have a tendency to be subjective rather than objective. Lucky for you, PD offers a demo program, so that you can sift through others' perceptions, and create some of your own.
The basics: PD's Demo program sends out the canopy of your choice directly to you to be used over the course of two weekends. You receive it, you jump it, you send it back (on time!). If you want to try another model or size; lather, rinse, and repeat.
The details: It's a fairly simple process to get a canopy to demo. Go to our website follow the instructions to fill out a demo request form. The form will ask some questions pertinent to your jump history, to better enable PD's Demo Coordinator, Alex Bittner, to assist you with your demo needs.
Following the submission of the demo request, you will be contacted by Alex. She will discuss your options and the availability of the requested canopy. If it is available, she will ship it to wherever your little heart desires. If the canopy is not available, your name will go on a waiting list for the time being.
After a few days of longingly gazing out the window, the FedEx truck finally pulls up, and soon you feel like a kid in a candy store with your very own PD Demo to use over the next two weekends. Though PD does understand the sort of bond that is forged between jumper and canopy, we do request that you handle the demo with respect and care - save some love for the one that you buy.
Following the two-week romance, you will say that sometimes tearful goodbye, and ship the demo back to the PD Factory, where it begins its journey all over again.
How to best make the program work for you: When selecting a new model of canopy to try, it is a good idea to select the same size as what you are currently flying. This will make it possible for you to make a legitimate comparison between the two canopies. Having a controlled aspect between the two canopies, such as size, will better enable you to determine the true differences in the flight characteristics of the canopies. If you change both the size and model of canopy, there is nothing in common to compare. You now have apples to oranges for your test group. When downsizing, try to avoid downsizing by more than one size at a time, as each size has valuable lessons for the avid skydiver.
The fear factor: Many jumpers feel trepidation when considering the possibility of that first reserve ride. Or you just aren't sure of whether or not you are going to be comfortable under that smaller reserve that would fit so much more nicely in your cute, new backpack-sized container. The PD answer to this and many other uncertainties? Try it!! The PD Demo Program also has PD Reserves+Optimums set up as mains so that jumpers can give their reserve a whirl, too. It is a fantastic opportunity to try out your reserve in a controlled environment. *Sigh* You really can't put a price on reassurance… oh wait, you can, and that would be just the demo fee!! That's a bargain for peace of mind. ; )
Be realistic about your abilities. The one certainty about skydiving is that there will always be another load and another day, as long as you conduct yourself in a safe manner. Rush into jumping that canopy that is pushing your limits, and you are decreasing your odds of making that next load, and quite possibly, that next day. By learning how to fly your current size more efficiently, you will be ensuring that you will be able to maximize your canopy's performance once on that smaller size.
The recap: Pick a canopy, fill out the form on the website, be nice to Alex (bribery never hurts), cough up the 40 bucks, jump until your little heart is content (as long as it fits into the 2 weeks), send the demo back, lather, rinse, and repeat if necessary.
By Gillian Parker
PS.
Unfortunately, the demo program is currently available only in the United States at this time. If outside of the U.S., please feel free to contact us so that we can direct you to one of our remote demo centers or dealers, or check our events calendar to see when and if the PD Tour is coming to your area.
