intensive skills camps??

[nicolesheridan 0]

Has anyone participated in any of the intensive 3 - 5 day intensive skills camps (S. Blincoe comes to mind)? I was wondering how valuable your experience was. I would think that so much learning (tunnel, canopy skills, freefly coaching with in air radio comm., etc.) in such a short period of time would be very valuable, but I can also see how it could be overwhelming.

My husband and I are trying to plan a "skydiving vacation" and were looking at various camps that are offered.

Any input would be appreciated
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"People often say that this or that person has not yet found himself. But, the self is not something that one finds. It is something that one creates"- Thomas Szasz

[pincheck 0]

I ve only done a 3 days canopy training course before but fro me and everyone else on the course it was well worth the money
I used to have a sad knowledge of most of the area outside our dz, it used to be a running joke if you wanted to know which field where good for off landing see me.

Since i did the course my canopy skills improved greatly. before i was basically not thinking before getting in the plane, where as know i think as soon as i get on the dz in the morning
intensive courses i believe whatever you are looking to do would give you the best chance of achieving the goal you have set for yourself

Billy-Sonic Haggis Flickr-Fun

[ntacfreefly 0]

While I haven't done anything as intensive as a 5 day camp with everything that you mention, I have done some intensive training. My suggestion would be to think more seriously about the 3 day one. Often these things are extremely tiring (physically and mentally) so performance becomes an issue if you aren't 'skydiving fit' (hell even if you are it does). Smaller intensive camps are better than long ones IMO.

From a skill level these sorts of things will provide big spikes in your learning curve, especially tunnel time followed by air time.

If you ever get a chance to go to Jon Pinyon/Kyle Stark tunnel camps I'd highly recommend them.

Hope this helps.

Blues,
Ian

To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders. ~ Lao-Tzu

It's all good, they're my brothers ~ Mariann Kramer

[CygnusX-1 43]

I would check out http://www.skydiveu.com/.

Although, right now they don't seem to have anything up on their website right now about the "Fundamentals" Camp From: 03/24/2006 To: 03/27/2006 @ Deland, Florida. But I have been to a couple of these type of camps and have learned a lot. It really did improve my skills and they are a lot of fun. (Rob, you should be paying me for this type of advertizing.)

After rereading you original post, if you are only interested in freeflying, that specific camp is probably not for you, but I'm sure skydiveu has others you may be interested in. Just another source to check out for information.

[nicolesheridan 0]

Thanks to everyone for all the info so far here and in PMs! Maybe we will have to plan a few trips now------------------------

"People often say that this or that person has not yet found himself. But, the self is not something that one finds. It is something that one creates"- Thomas Szasz

[Remster 30]

Are you looking into RW or FF for the freefall section of things?

Either way, the folks at FlightClub could probably come up with something for you combining tunnel time, Freefall and canopy skills. (their website is down, but info here: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=565).

For 4 way RW, the AirSpeed camps are hard to beat. (www.airspeed.org)

For large formation RW, try the folks at PP at Perris (next camp is in may: http://skydiveperris.com/ppp/bigwaycamp2.asp)

I would however recomend either concentrating on freefall, or canopy skills on any particular jump, or even better, day.

Remster

[Guest 1010]

If you do a canopy course, which is recommended (even though I haven't done one yet), keep your head on a swivel and really really really watch out for the other canopy pilots. A sky full of newbies (instead of the typical 1 or 2 on an Otter load) trying all kinds of new things under canopy at the same time can be dangerous. I know two people hurt at them last year, and there was an incident down in Oz at a canopy course this past year.

You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two.