OmriMon 0 #1 June 10, 2001 Here's an article some local news paper did on me a few weeks ago, i translated it myself from hebrew so it may sound a little lame, sorry!-------------------------------------------"SKYDIVE EILAT" IS ONE OF THE ONLY TWO SKYDIVING CLUBS IN THE COUNTRY * ROY RITTER, THE CHIEF INSTRUCTOR IS VERY PROUD OF HIS 800 MEMBERS * BUT ESPECIALLY OF 16 YEAR OLD OMRI GALILI WHO AT THE AGE OF 10 ANNOUNCED "I WANT TO BE A SKYDIVER".When he was 8, arrived Omri Galili along with his family for a vacation in Eilat. Like any other kid who comes to town, swam in the red sea and the pool, and also visited the different attractions, among them - the Airodion (Vertical Wind Tunnel).Unlike any other kid that visit changed his life. Omri fell in love with "flying". In the next visits of his family in Eilat, he kept going to the Airodium and turned the visit to a "week of flying", described by Roy Ritter which the attraction belongs to his family."Already at the age of 10 he told me he is going to take the Skydiving course", says Ritter about his young trainee. But Omri had to be patient. The skydiving course can only be taken after the age of 18. So in the mean time he kept getting more air time in the Airodium, and the checks he got from his Bar-Mitsvah he closed in a saving plan in the bank.When he got to the age that he could start Skydiving, Omri came to the Dropzone for a Skydiving course which he got as a present from his mother on his 16 birthday. At friday, April 13th his dream came true, and he jumped out of the plane. Despite of the date (friday the 13th...), Omri the other Skydiver wanted to jump anyways. "I didn't know what to expect, I was frightend and i was screaming", admits Omri. At the first 3 jumps, the parachute opens automaticly and almost right after you leave the plane. At the next jumps the Skydiver pulls the pilot chute by himself.Since that first jump, jumped Omri 31 times. A great achivment for someone who has just finished the course a month ago. Every friday he arrives to the dropzone, and there with the other skydivers he jumps, pack a parachute and right on his turn he gets on the plane and jumps again.A MINUTE WITH GODWhat makes people get on a small plane who climbes to the hight of 12000ft, jump out of it and fall for a whole minute?At friday noons, the "Skydive Eilat" dropzone is crouded with many men and women, mostly youngsters, waiting for their turns to get on the plane. The whole procedure starting with gearing up, through waiting at the waiting point, the flight up, the jump and getting back to the hangar, and finaly packing the parachute is very tiring.Between the jumps, they eat, exchance experiences, and also catch a short nap at the shade. Not so is Omri. After the landing, he picks up the parachute and goes to the hangar to do what every skydiver hates the most - packing! Omri lays the parachute on the ground and desperately looks at the mess of the strings and fabric. While his hands dig and turn the fabric over, he exchanges experiences and impressions with his skydiving friends. Later they talk about altimeters and different kinds of parachutes, and all in a totaly professional language, when most of the information is taken from the internet."When Omri wanted to buy a parachute, he came to me with specific details of what he wants", explains Ritter, "he knew exactly which kind, size and colors he wants, everything".The experience the the older skydivers get on field, the younger ones get from the internet. At the club itself there are no differences. Everybody mingle with everybody: CIO editors, pilots, insurance agents, high-tec people, students and high school pupils.20 precent of the skydivers are girls and their numbers are rising. Since there is no limitatin on food before skydiving, everybody is busy eating what Dudi is making them. Everybody but Omri. After finishing packing the parachute, he sits on the banches not eating, not drinking and only waiting for his turn to go on the plane again.Q: What does your mother say?"Shes cool with it. Shes not frightend, only calls at the end of the day to ask how it was. I want her to do a Tandem, which is a skydive for two people, when the instructor and the student are connected together with a special harness."You don't have to take the course to do a Tandem, and it is suitable for everybody, 13 year old children and over 70 year old elders. Even people with phisical discapabilities and blind people for example can also do a Tandem.TO SIT IN THE AIRAnd what exactly are the skydivers going through?After getting on one of the two planes which one of them was purchased lately, the skydivers take off to the hight of 12000ft (4km). at the signal of the instructor, they sit at the edge of the plane and after another signal, they jump. Then for a minute, at a fall rate of 250kmph, they fall. While falling with movements of the arms and the legs, you can sit, stand on your head and also do flips backwards and forwards, or dock with other skydivers for a group formation.After the first minute, which is as the skydivers say, the best part, you open the main parachute and float down.Q: Whats in that freefall?Omri: You can't explain that feeling in words. You have to jump yourself to understand. Your body turns to flying machine. Your arms and legs are like wings of a plane, and every movement effect your body."Q: And what do you think about while you are falling?"While freefall i think only about i'm gonna do at the next moment and just have fun. The thoughts are always focused on the jump."You could've thought that one of the main reasons to skydive at the area of Eilat is the incredible view, but apperantly that's not it. "It isn't the view, it's the people that jump here", explain Omri.Q: And at the sea have you dived?"Nope. And i'm not interested in that either. I don't relay to the underwater view"."It's the adrenaline", explains Omri's sister, Efrat, which is also caught in the skydiving enthusiasm. After landing shes braking into screams of excitement. "I was screaming up in the air also", she laughs. "What a trip it was", said some other skydivers.Omri and Efrat were at the dropzone while the accident of the english skydiver who broke his leg occured. Both of them don't understand why he did the turn so close to the ground. Both of them weren't intimidated by it. "there's nothing u can do, thats a dangerous sport", says Ritter, the chief instructor, who has in his record about 4,500 jumps and second place world champion of 94 for 2-way skydiving.There are two skydiving clubs in Isreal- "Skydive Eilat", and "Paradive" at the Bonim beach. "And thats quite alot for a small country like Israel", explains Ritter. The dropzone in Eilat was openned at 1996, and it's a family club. As mentioned, Roy is the cheif instructor, and his sister Noya with a record of 900 jumps, is the dropzone manager and also an instructor. Their father, Moshe, flys the planes. 800 skydivers are members in the club. Skydivers from all around the world arrive there, among them Kenshy from Japan, who after doing a Tandem while he visited in Eilat, decided to take a course and eventually decided to stay in Israel. Today he works at the Jewlery stock exchange in Ramat-Gan and comes to the club every weekend.COLD FEETQ: did it ever happen that someone got on the plane and didn't want to jump?Roy: "there was a reporter at the US who did a big article about skydiving and she was to jump herself, but she got cold feet at the last minute. Skydiving is addictive. And most of those who tried it wouldn't give up the treat.""I'm looking at the menu in a resturant and thinking that for a meals price and a little bit more i can jump, so i give other thinks up", says an enthusiastic skydiver.For those of you who are interested, we will tell that it's not a cheap story - a skydiving course lasts 4 days and costs 990$. "In the north and other places in the world the proce is much higher. 1500$", says Roy, "we're cheaper, because we have the Airodium. The students fly first at the wind tunnel, and only then get the dropzone. It's a great practice and prevents mistakes".The jumps themselves are also not cheap. A price of every jump 250 NIS (New Israeli Shekel, 64$). Omri who dropped out of school from personal reasons, works at operating a chat room of the israeli children channel, and thats how he finnances the jumps. He also bought a parachute whice he paid for by himself whith a little help from his grandfather.Omri comes every weekend to Eilat to jump, and gets his rides with other skydivers from the north. "And what do u do in the evening, go to parties in Eilat?". Efrat and Omri nod their heads: "after a day of jumping we don't have the strength to move", says Eftat.At the dropzone there are also air conditioned bunk houses, and at the end of the day, the guys continue diving. Straight to bed...THE EQUIPMENTThe parachute is made of a teflon fabric and silicone. The fabric is strong, light and can handle large mass. Every skydiver has also a helmet, altimeter, audible altimeter the beeps and tells you when it's time to open. If from some reason, the main parachute didn't open, there is a "babysitter", which is a black box that automaticly opens the reserve parachute. And ofcourse there are the jumpsuits. despite of their beauty, they are not neccessery, and you can jump in the nude. And some did it. A few turist skydivers chose to celebrate the new millenium with nude skydiving, and pictures of that funny jump decorate the club's walls."Every skydiver has a nickname", says Ritter. Omri, who is today the youngest skydiver in Israel got the nickname FLY BABY. Omri likes his nickname very much: "here the age doesn't matter. We are all skydivers and we are all friends. They treat me like an adult, and only sometimes they call me kid".When the "kid" grows up, he wants to be a skydiving instructor. "he will be an instructor and he will come to instruct here", says Ritter with pride. "I want him to do it all. You are looking at the pride of the club!".SEE U IN THE AIR.Free Skies,Omri Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefallfreak 0 #2 June 10, 2001 Fly Baby.Cool, dude. I'm proud of ya'...Congratulations...FFF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #3 June 10, 2001 way to go omri!!!!!!"if dreams are like movies, then memories are like films about ghosts"-counting crows Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pyke 0 #4 June 10, 2001 Excellent story, Omri...What a great translation too!!!!Ok, I hereby officially change your forum to FLYBABY and so it is said, so it shall be done. all shall now refer to him as such!!!(just wait till the pub this week!!)Our own celebrity in Israel...FLYBABY Galili...Awesome.First article in the newspaper....BEER!!!!!!Well said anyway, dude. You captured a lot of "truths" about it for whuffos in Israel(i.e. what is it like? "jump and find out!"). Hope your 800 members grow because of it too!Cheers,Kia Kaha,PykeNZPF A - 2584 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zennie 0 #5 June 10, 2001 Excellent article! You're a great ambassador to the sport Omri! Actually, that's one of the best "whuffo" articles I've read about our sport in any language. I especially like the Cypres being referred to as the "babysitter"! ------------Blue Skies!Zennie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OmriMon 0 #6 June 10, 2001 thanks for all the kind words guys I got some pics from the article, but i have no server to put it on, so if any one know where i can put them i'll be very thankfullFree Skies,Omri Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #7 June 10, 2001 You can post photos at http://www.webshots.com/homepage.html. The pics from my first tandem are up there http://community.webshots.com/user/knaughton2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billy 0 #8 June 11, 2001 Hay Flybaby!!Cool article!! You Rock Lil Bro!! I am impressed,, actually I am very ignorant!! ,, Please frogive me,, I live in the NW USA,, now where ya jump is East a the Mississippi River,, on the other side a that great pond "Atlantic" I thick they call that piece,, and cross another desert,, ain't Wingnut over that way too?? Hope that translates OK,, and I would watch out for Wingnut and his buds if your sis is around!! Blue skies Amigo!! Vaya Con Dios!!Sweet Dreams!!Billy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iflyme 0 #9 June 11, 2001 FLY BABY, yo'de man! I mean baby ... oh - you know what I mean! Nice article, Omri - you are a worthy representative of our sport!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OmriMon 0 #10 June 11, 2001 missisippi?i dunno dude, it's in the middle of no where, surrounded with arab countries and camels.and packages takes ages to get here!Free Skies,Omri Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #11 June 11, 2001 Way to go Omri! I also like the description of the Cypres as the babysitter...Keep it up, you'll be famous worldwide someday!pull and flare,lisa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #12 June 11, 2001 Quoteand I would watch out for Wingnut and his buds if your sis is around!! what ya trying to say here??????? i was about 3 hours away from his dz once. me and my mates here in europe coudn't hurt his sis, we could corupt her in the ways of dz.com though!!!!! omri, is your sis good looking???? wait a minute, she's a skydiver, she has to be (well okay she has a 99.99% chance).....and camels???? i didn't see one while i was there, now i did see a pack of wild dogs though......"if dreams are like movies, then memories are like films about ghosts"-counting crows Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sangiro 26 #13 June 11, 2001 Well done Omri! I'm putting this up on the Dropzone.com main page - we are just as proud of you as Roy!QuoteI got some pics from the article, but i have no server to put it on, so if any one know where i can put them i'll be very thankfullYou can send them to me and I'll upload them to your personal gallery together with the other ones you've sent me. Safe swoopsSangiro Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OmriMon 0 #14 June 11, 2001 ok i uploaded most of my pictures AND some pictures of my sister u can check them out HereFree Skies,Omri Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pyke 0 #15 June 11, 2001 Cool pics dude.....and yeah....a BIG YEAH!....KEEP YOUR SIS AWAY FROM THE FORUM!!!!! One look by Skreamer, Wingy, and PT and they'll be on the first plane to Israel without their rigs and a whoole lotta uhh...hmmmhmmmPROTECTION!!!!!Easy does it boys!!!! you'll see her at a boogie soon enough...then she's fair game!!!!!HA!Kia Kaha,PykeNZPF A - 2584 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OmriMon 0 #16 June 11, 2001 Hey i don't care what they're gonna do with her, she's a big girl.but hey i gotta get something from that too, aren't I?, some jump tickets will be nice, maybe a ride to the dz from time to time?Free Skies,Omri Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #17 June 11, 2001 omri,dude wish i could sit as well as you do! (and i have almost 3 times the jumps) as for your sister, tell her wingnut says hello. and if you would happen to put a good word in for me with her your more than welcome to some jump tickets (here in germany of the u.s.)"if dreams are like movies, then memories are like films about ghosts"-counting crows Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OmriMon 0 #18 June 11, 2001 AHHH you're cheap dude!, 34$ is to expensive for u??Free Skies,Omri Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #19 June 11, 2001 QuoteAHHH you're cheap dude!, 34$ is to expensive for u?? naw, not cheap,...here's the deal: you fly me to isreal and i'll buy you a load of $34 jump tickets......... if not come to the states or germany and i'll still buy ya some jump tickets (just remember to bring your sis when ya do visit!!) "if dreams are like movies, then memories are like films about ghosts"-counting crows Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OmriMon 0 #20 June 11, 2001 i don't think u can fly from germany to israel this days, all the flight companies r to chicken to fly to israel these days hehehFree Skies,Omri Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iflyme 0 #21 June 11, 2001 Omri, ya never told us you had a hottie in the family! I think you should call up the Israeli TV network, or the NBC affiliate in Israel, and invite them come out and do a feature story on "the youngest skydiver in Israel"... then I can broadcast it on my station here in Canada -- because the only stories we have from your country are about tradgedy an horrific violence. We need some GOOD news from your country! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OmriMon 0 #22 June 11, 2001 My country need some good news too! Free Skies,Omri Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PalmettoTiger 1 #23 June 11, 2001 QuoteOne look by Skreamer, Wingy, and PT and they'll be on the first plane to Israel without their rigs and a whoole lotta uhh...hmmmhmmmPROTECTION!!!!!Hey, I don't even have a rig to leave behind (big hint to those voting for me in the Pub poll Ahh, hell, I'll add her to the list just on general principles. Blues, Squares,PTiger*insert sub-100 character sig here* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyhawk 2 #24 June 11, 2001 congrats dude.one question why wherent you eating? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OmriMon 0 #25 June 11, 2001 Quoteone question why wherent you eating?I didn't have any money left to get any snack, but i did have just enough money for "all u can eat" dinner!Free Skies,Omri Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
