jdhill 0 #1 May 29, 2002 Just wanted to post a few thoughts about the Para-Performance Pro Blade Intermediate Games held last weekend @ Perris...1) It was a great event. Jim and his crew did a great job organizing it, and I think most (if not all) that participated had a great time... oh yeah, great party too.2) The skill level in the event leaned toward advanced rather than intermediate, but I think everyone leaned a lot. There were a few folks that had done events before, but for many it was their first competition. 3) Canopies and wing loadings... there was a wide variety of canopies in the event... Stiletto, Jedei, Crossfire, Xaos, FX, VX , and Velocity were all in play... wing loadings ranged from around a low of around 1.3 to a high of about 2.4 with a variety of results.4) Carve v. Hook... the carving turn seemed to be preferred over the hard hook (I say seemed because I only got to see half of the other jumpers as I was at the end of the first load in each round)... the pro's also did more carving during practice on the course... the 270 seemed to be the turn of choice, although there were some 180s and a few 90s... I did not see anyone doing 360's on the course although there were some folks on the DZ doing them.5) The people... Everyone had a great attitude through the whole event... it was great meeting folks from all over the place...East Coast, West Coast, down south, overseas... lots of sharing of info and ideas... very cool.6) Safety... as we all know low turns and HP canopies are one of the leading causes of injury or worse in the sport... throughout the competition errors tended to the conservative side... a few folks got a little wet, even fewer got real wet, more folks, when they missed the gates, it was on the high side, not the low. There was only one participant injured (sprained ankle I think) and that was in a practice jump (down wind).I look forward to going to a Pro comp, unfortunately it won't be the one that starts tomorrow (work sucks! and so does last minute airfare!)... Have fun and safe swoops!PeaceJoshhttp://www.aerialfusion.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diveout 0 #2 May 29, 2002 Josh is right on the money with his post. He also finished first in the distance event and second in the speed event (maybee vica versa). Anyway, nice swoopin'...I felt very comfortable, even with my relatively low level of experience (630 jumps). It was my initial swoop competition, and I had a great time. The key to these events is definitely accuracy, you have to be recovering at the right spot on the pond at the right height. My mistakes ended up as vertical extensions rather than an unexpected swim. When you nail the gates just perfectly and get a decent swoop with a LOT of people watching it's quite a rush.Good times, can't wait for next year--Diveout Dan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #3 May 29, 2002 One of these days...but I think I have a ways to go with 205 jumps and a Stilletto loaded about 1.3...."Here I come to save the BOOBIES!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #4 May 29, 2002 QuoteOne of these days...but I think I have a ways to go with 205 jumps and a Stilletto loaded about 1.3.... It does look like a fun time though!the 205 is a bit low... but if I remember correctly, a stiletto @ ~1.3 took 4th in distance... learn all you can on it before downsizing... have fun, but be safe.Joshhttp://www.aerialfusion.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #5 May 29, 2002 Quoteif I remember correctly, a stiletto @ ~1.3 took 4th in distance... learn all you can on it before downsizingIt does swoop like a MoFo..... I have something like 80+ jumps on it now and I have BARELY scratched the surface of the performance envelope. On my PD 190 I think I had done a 360 hook by this time...LOL. I haven't done more than about 150 deg turn to final on this one so far. I downsized after 90 jumps on it. I can see me keeping this Stilletto for several hundred jumps before I even think about downsizing. It's much harder to get to know and produces MONDO speed with just a little input. *shrug* I'll get it in another 100-200 more jumps. I'm in no hurry...."Here I come to save the BOOBIES!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #6 May 29, 2002 I put 800 jumps on on @ 1.4 (well 1.5 after I gained a little weight) before I downsized... you can learn a lot about how to fly a canopy at lower wingloadings... just be careful doing anything low... You can build as much (if not more) speed doing a 90 to double fronts as you can a 180 straight to the toggles, plus the beni of being able to see where you are going the whole time...it sounds like you have the right attitude about it (not being in a hurry)... live to swoop another day!It is some fun stuff...Peace.Joshhttp://www.aerialfusion.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #7 May 30, 2002 Quotelive to swoop another day!That seems to be especially important lately...."Here I come to save the BOOBIES!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
