Chow fest at Skydive Houston

[ramon 0]

Don't know what causes it but some days everyone chows.

seems like it must be funny wind over the ditch..j/k

We had a great swoop n chug this weekend organized by Daniel and every single person participating went BIG. No one was hurt and most of us were wet. (even the DZO got involved)

Britney was really reallly wet (her cypres was ok) and I chowed big time too.

Lots of fun and everyone that went for broke did so over the water. Levin actually got some water and so did Zennie (his PLF happened out of frame )

I really dislike seeing everyone try soo hard because it is dangerous and accidents happen, but it is satisfying when we have a fun swoop where everyone does good and the worst damage is a wet reserve.

How do you guys encourage swooping fun, but keep it safe?

ramon



be careful kids
Ground is hard, the water is enticing and showing off hurts

"Revolution is an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment.", Ambrose Bierce.

[parachutist 2]

Quote

How do you guys encourage swooping fun, but keep it safe?

ramon

I like the way Lyle sets up one of these events down in Sebastian: announces a hit-&-chug over the intercom. This pretty much opens it up to anyone... HP Canopy pilots go & swoop, and others who want to particpate without swooping just go for an accuracy run on the beverage. Everybody else just has fun watching from the ground.

Chris

[ramon 0]

i'm concerned about budding swoopers trying to go big and getting target fixation.

I guess it is always a risk.

"Revolution is an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment.", Ambrose Bierce.

[eames 0]

At the very least, some communication will help. Have a short brief before an event to make sure everyone, especially these budding swoopers, is aware of the many dangers associated with the particular event. That way they'll have something to look out for.

Yes, it is always a risk-- for everyone, every jump.

Jason

[Zennie 0]

I like your suggestion today at lunch... you biff (or chow) you're automatically DQ'd.

You could also have two "classes". Water swoop, with beer at the end of the swoop ditch and a standard accuracy run off to the side of the ditch. That way you have potential to win either way, and people who shouldn't be swooping may opt for the standard accuracy run. Probably would want a bit of separation between the runs to avoid traffic issues.

'Course the budding swoopers will still opt for the swoop run, but the chow/biff rule may discourage them.

My $0.02.

- Z
"Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

[ramon 0]

that was Hook's idea.

You don't stand it up, it don't count.

"Revolution is an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment.", Ambrose Bierce.

[wmw999 2,575]

As an experienced PLF'er, might I suggest that if someone can pull off a GOOD PLF, they can still qualify? Not that slide-into-the-ground or tumbling thing; not getting wet and mushy. Not the "oh shit this is going to suck" thing.
But if you can recognize that a landing's not going to work, and change it into a real PLF, that might be a really good experience for a later day when only your body is on the line, and not beer and notoriety.
Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)