US Nationals swooping, who is going?

[Rdutch 0]

Im thinking about going to the Us Nationals for swooping, who else out there is going? What category are you entering in also.

Also I was reading there is a qualifyer, but if you were pro-tour qualified or red bull qualified you didnt have to qualify. How about FLCPA members? Shouldnt your standings on that count towards being qualified to compete, especially since the FLCPA uses the same course, with smaller entry gates. Who would you bring this question up to? and what is your thoughts on this.

Ray
Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

You are gonna have to get with Scott Smith, the meet director, to see if FLCPA quals will count. I will be arriving out there on the 7th and leaving the 13th and am competing in Open (Pro).

Chuck

[Rdutch 0]

Wassup chuck, do you have any contact info for him.

See you in Perris, we have to hang after the comp, just no Tequilla.

Ray
Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

I believe you can get ahold of Scott using his USPA address if nothing else. You may want to call Perris and get a contact info if someone from out there doesn't step in quickly and post or PM you his info.

PS: no tequilla this time!

[AggieDave 6]

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PS: no tequilla this time!

You must owe beer for saying that...surely.


Chuck,

For guys like me reading this sort of thing, do you think someone like yourself or another qualified competitor could write up a quick study on the steps taken to reach this level of competition?

I'm not talking about the obvious canopy skills type stuff, I'm talking about a "do these sorts of competitions to work on your skill as a competitor", where/how to start and such.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[ianmdrennan 2]

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talking about a "do these sorts of competitions to work on your skill as a competitor", where/how to start and such.

I'll take a stab at that while we wait for SM1 to reply.

I think the swoop meets (like the FLCPA) and others popping up are a great place to up your skills as a canopy pilot. Events should follow IPC rules and courses with minimal deviation. The great thing about the FLCPA is that no qualification is required, just turn up and register in the class you feel is appropriate for where you are as a pilot and go from there. Honestly, I doubt I'd have qualified for the PST if I hadn't run the course a number of times in the FLCPA (it's the speed round course) so the great thing was that it wasn't the first time doing it.

Before you enter the competitions I believe you need to be able to at least hit 10 ft high gates at your home dz with some regularity, and most important safety. When the competition is on and the pressures on you're going to make mistakes and obsessing over hitting gates in a competition when you're not able to do so in a "comfy" environment can be hazardous to your health and get you disqualified.

Set up a a course (pst has all the specs) at your home dz and get used to running it, then start moving the gates (it's amazing how many visual references you begin to rely on without realizing it) and see if you can still run them successfully.

Attending competitions will allow you to surround yourself with people interested in learning more, as well as having access (both visually and with questions) to some of the best pilots in the world.

A lot of it is accepting that you're going to get your ass handed to you with alarming regularity but putting yourself in the situation to learn.


I'm sure there's a lot more to add, but hopefully this at least covers some basics.

Hope to see you on the tour soon.

Blues,
Ian

Performance Designs Factory Team