CanuckInUSA

I don't know ... I could change my moniker, but then nobody would know who I was (which may not be such a bad thing). So I don't know ... It's time to sign off now folks and return my cable modem to Comcast. I know I have some friends here in CO who sound sincere when they say that they will miss me. But I'm also certain that a few people, mainly some but not all of the people who work at the DZ will be happy to see me go. They never really were all that friendly to me ... but you know how DZ politics go. Goodbye for now ... I hope to resurface on the other side in the not too distant future. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Brian McNenney (winner of the 2005 CPC Championships) was not only consistent making the entry gates on all 8 rounds, but he also set the CPC Distance record while wearing tons of weight (not to be confused with the distance record set by Jay Moledski). Yes consistency wins ... we as swoop competitors already know this. But weight isn't such a bad thing for those who have taken the time to apply themselves in this sport. Why is it that people assume that people who strap on weight have no skill? Were you there at the CPC Championships this year? I don't remember seeing you there. Yet you're making the assumption that most of the field (who wore weights) had no skill when in fact there was a lot of skill (from an amateur's point of view) there this year and next year should be even better. This remark reminds me of all those people who at the beginning of this CPC season pretty much wrote me off saying that I would finish in last place of our local region, telling me that I didn't have a hope in hell in finishing in the top five since I was a rookie swoop competitor. Thanks for the vote of confidence people. I look forward to showing you how skilled most of us CPCers are again next year when we make the entry gates time after time. One thing that should be brought up here in this topic about wearing weights is making sure you don't overload your reserve. I jump a large-ish PD143R. But I know most people are using much smaller reserves. I'd hate to be trying to land a reserve in a tight area wearing tons of weight. PS: Hey flame away ... I unfortunately must need to sign off now from DZ.COM thanks to my move and the need to return my cable modem back to Comcast. I hope to resurface again in a few days though. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Yes not everything is a negative with this move (even though I'm not the happiest of campers right now). I will be closer to the world class ski resort of Whistler/Blackcomb. Plus if people need/want to get in touch with me, I plan on keeping this DZ.COM account alive at least for a little while, so you can always PM me if you plan on visiting BC. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Today is the last day that I will be online here in Colorado. Sometime later in the day I will need to pack up my 'puter and return my cable modem to Comcast. My string of almost 8 years here in the USA (all in Colorado) is about to come to an end as I've run out of visas (first work, then visitors). I've joked in the past that I was being deported, but in reality I'm not being deported. I'm just going to honor my current visitors visa to ensure that I don't fuck myself in the future. Tomorrow morning my stuff will be packed into a moving van and I will start the long drive up to Vancouver BC (which will be home for at least the wet wintery months) and of course I'm hoping to have some decent jumping weather in Twin Falls Idaho come Thursday as I've got two BASE rigs packed read to huck myself from the Perrine Bridge. This is so long for now, but I sure hope it's not a goodbye. I'm hoping to make it to the Ground Launch Championships in CA in early November and possibly the SkyQuest swoop comp in FL later in the month (if they'll let me compete which right now is still up in the air). I also hope to be at the Eloy Holiday Boogie as I've been to the last 3 and I am entertaining evil thoughts of taking next summer off of work again, obtaining a new 6 month visitors visa and returning to Colorado in the summer months to train on the swoop pond 5-7 days a week. It's not going to be cheap, but I saw very good progress with my swooping this summer and I'm thinking that another summer of training 5-7 days a week could only make things even better. So hopefully we'll see all you Ground Launchers, possibly you SkyQuesters, Eloy Holiday Boogers and Colorado peeps in the not too distant future. It hasn't all been rosy all of the time, but I have had a good time for the most part here in Colorado these last 8 years and I really am going to miss some of the best weather I've ever lived in here in Colorado. C'ya when I c'ya ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

That's good news. Any chance you can join us in the skies again? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Also remember Mark that it wasn't just the downwind component which made our zone accuracy event a challenge. The high density altitude with the thin fast air here didn't help. Zone accuracy has been a challenge here in CO all summer long (you guys should try it when the temperature is in the 100 degree range) and I didn't pound in nearly as hard during the CPC Championships as I did earlier in the summer. But it was an event which I trained for, so it's didn't bug me at all. I can't wait to try the carving zone accuracy course the pros do. It looks super fun. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Well let's just wait to see what the WSA has to say about the future of competitive swooping. Remember (like every one else), I have my opinions about this sport and who's to say that my opinions are correct and are in line of what the WSA is thinking. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

And I'm sure I would have included you in the list of talented amateur swoopers had you been here with the rest of us (once again the amateur skill level at the CPC Championships was very good). I still believe though that people need to be honest with their own skill and experience levels as to what sort of gear configuration they wish to use. I didn't start using weight until the end of the CPC season (we'll that's not 100% as I did wear some in our first comp because I was flying an underloaded wing). But for most of the season I was jumping without weight while many of my local competitors wore them. But after a summer of training virtually every day, I started wearing 20 lbs to bring my wing loading up to the more optimal levels and I don't regret it one bit. I was able to bring my swooping to a new personal level because of this. But I never would have dreamed of doing this had I not been as current as I was at the time. And people wanting to get into the CPC need to get that "I'll only compete if I can win" mentality out of their heads. Well the message needs to get out that people shouldn't be using lead while they are in the initial stages of learning how to swoop competitively. In this case I am in complete agreement with you (so we're not as far apart as we think). Remember this was the first year of the CPC. Lessons were learned and I'm sure we will see some changes to the sport (like the various different competition categories). So let's be patient and see what the WSA says. If they tell me that I can't wear weight, then that's okay as long as it's across the board. But I don't think you're going to see that. Some classes will likely not be allowed to wear weight or use a cross-braced canopy, some classes will be allowed to wear weight but only up to a certain limit and for the elite swoopers of the world ... well I guess the sky is the limit. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I in no way am arguing with you here as all the points you made are correct. I actually think I could have done it this year with a good weekend of BASE canopy practice ahead of time (which I actually did do at the recent Moab boogie jumping some cliffs) as I am very current flying with a canopy over my head making about 500 jumps this summer alone. But I was concentrating on a completely different form of canopy control (competitve swooping). So when I heard they were being much more strick on their 100 jump requirement this year, I didn't even bother calling them up trying to talk my way into the event. There is always next year if/when I get some more time under my BASE canopies. And besides, I was having the time of my life swooping the pond here in CO while you guys were having fun jumping the gorge. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I guess we have different view of what the CPC is. You seem to view it as as an entry level to swooping thing. I view it as a place to gain competiton experience running courses that will prepare the swooper for what the pros do. People need to be able to make the entry gates in practice before they attempt to make them in the high stress environment of competition and of course they need to be able to swoop safely before they ever thing of trying to make entry gates in practice. So I guess in your mind CPCers shouldn't be allowed to use RDS systems and HMA lines as well and what about newer canopy designs like the JVX? People need to be honest with themselves when it comes to their skill and experience levels. People need to possess the appropriate swooping skills before they ever dream of competiting, and then they need to ensure that they are current and have been doing the appropriate training before they start wearing weights. I agree that a swooper shouldn't just put the weight on because their competition does. But at some point the swooper may have the skill and experience to handle the added wing loading. The skill level of the competitors at last months CPC Championships was outstanding. It was clear that a handful of guys were much better than everyone else, but that didn't mean that the field wasn't full of talented canopy pilots. Do we have the skill and experience of the pros? No ... but that doesn't mean that we weren't flying really well (I was there, I saw the skill level of my competitive peers ... you weren't there so to say that CPCers don't have the skill or experience to wear weights is wrong). Remember this was a national event where the best amateur swoopers in the country met to compete. I disagree. If/when I'm ever good enough to qualify on the PST, I won't be going into my first competitions expecting to win (how naive would that be). But I would be going in expecting to be competitive and expecting not to embarass myself. I did learn this year during the CPC Championships/GoFast games, that I'm not ready yet to be competing against the pros (and there is no way in hell you will see me wearing 50+ lbs of weight any time soon). But you better believe that if/when the times does come I will do the best that I can possibly do in order to be as competitive as I possible can be and I feel comfortable swooping right now wearing my 20 lbs of weight which brings my wingloading up closer to the more optimal 2.2 wing loading. Once again, I don't know exactly what the WSA organization has planned for the future of competitive swooping. But I think we're going to see many new classes of competitive swooping categories pop up and the prospective competitive swooper will be able to choose which class they feel they will belong in. Some of these categories will likely allow their competitors to wear weights up to a certain limit and some will require no weights and will even likely require non cross-braced canopies. This is an exciting time to be a competitive swooper. Please don't try holding back the people who take this shit seriously and who have dedicated time towards enhancing our skills. I don't have a whole lot of freefall time this summer, but I did make about 500 jumps refining my swooping skills as I'm sure many of my other competitive peers did as well. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

And if it intimates you Abby, it will intimiate anyone. I showed up there last year as a spectator with a packed rig in my car wanting to jump it. But after looking at it, I said to myself, "I can wait one year". Well one year came and went and since I was training for something other than BASE all summer long, I still was short on the 100 jump requirements. So I guess I'll have to wait another year. But that's okay. I know this site is NOT an easy jump. I'm hoping the WX is jumpable when I pass through Twin on Thursday on my way up to Vancouver as I have two packed rigs ready to go. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Don't be surprised if this isn't the only camp. I've heard rumors of other camps next summer (specifically at a place you and Brits jumped at not long ago where the air is very thin and the canopies fly very fast and very far). But I am not the one organizing this, so I better keep my mouth shut so that I don't say the wrong things. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Glad to hear that you're not hurt as bad as you could have been. For people wanting to learn how to swoop, they really need to dedicate jumps towards canopy control. Get coaching and do tons of high pulls and tons of hop n' pops where traffic is not an issue. Going big on a regular load when you're first learning to swoop is asking for trouble and when you really are going big (flying an ultra high performance wing), going big on regular loads is rolling the dice. I come in so fast nowadays that I have no desire to be swooping the beer line on a regular load. There are just too many unknowns to take the risk. All it takes is one moment of laspe judegment to end yours and someone else's life. Dang ... am I starting to sound like a canopy nazi? I don't mean to be one. But swoopers need to know when to abort their swoop. Hope you heal fast so that you can get airborne again soon. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Based on past conversations with him, Jim knows way more about what's likely to happen (like various swooping classes existing), but for the top CPC competitors, why do you say that they can't wear weights? Sure I don't want to be wearing 70 lbs as I don't think I have the skill and/or experience to be loading up that high. But the CPC is the feeder system for the future PST pilots and if the top rank CPC pilots are to ever realize their dreams of competiting against the pros, they need to be flying like the pros. Why do you want to hold people back? Swooping is NOT safe, but risks are managable for those who take it seriously, have sought coaching and dedicate jumps towards enhacing their canopy control skills. Remember the CPC is new and I think we're about to see competitive swooping evolve into something we never thought was possible only a few short years ago. I am curious to see what the WSA comes up with with their various competitve swooping class categories. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

If/when swooping becomes the high profile sport in something like the Olympics, then yes those wishing to participate at that level should be clean just like all the other sports. Those with the proper motivation will take the appropriate steps. Those without it will continue to do what they do and not be allowed to compete at the elite level. Now where did I put my bag and my pipe? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Should be a requirement to be a BASE jumper. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Your center of balance is directly below the wing when you lean forward and there is less chance that you'll get yourself into trouble as opposed to leaning backwards when you flare. Look at the swoopers/good canopy pilots around you and you will see that they are leaning forward into their chest strap when they flare. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I would love to have been more productive (doing fun things such as skydiving) in my 20s and spent less time smoking that wacky-tabacky and sitting on my rear end with all my other stoner friends of my youth. Who knows, maybe I would have had more success with the women who were in my life at that time (and what was I thinking of sporting that stupid mustache I used to have ... how ugly was that). But we are who we are based on our life experiences and if I was this responsible guy back then, I likely would have married this girl or that girl, had a family and likely never would have become a skydiver. So all is not lost. Skydiving has been a blessing and a curse to my life (I need to make sure I'm balanced in my life and then skydiving will be a total blessing). But I sure have had a lot of fun since I made that first tandem back in July of 2002 and it's nice to have a website like this around where I can have friends all over the country and the world. All I need to do is visit a DZ (or have these people visit the DZ that I'm at) to make new or renew existing friends. What other normal sport can you do this? Most sports are very localized and isolated to small groups of friends. You really don't get to meet as many people as we get to meet in this sport. PS: I'm still waiting for you to follow me to Vancouver Keely. But I also have evil thoughts of taking next summer off, obtaining another visitors visa and jumping my ass off like I did this summer. It may not be the best thing for my long term financial retirement needs (I'm thinking it will cost me 25k maybe more to train full time all summer long). But who knows what new doors could be opened because of it. I don't want to be that conservative, career oriented guy any more. I don't want to be foolish, but I do like to take calculated risks. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

It's not a biggie in this pic, but yes it's not an even flare. One side (the right side if this pic was taken from behind) is ever so slightly lower than the other side. First off make sure your chest strap is loosened up as much as you can make it after you open, but then try leaning forward a little when you flare if you're not already doing. Plus unless you're landing in a reasonably strong cross-wind, be symetrical with both toggles. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Good for you!!! All it takes is one person to be motivated to set up some gates and before you know it you've got a 1/2 dozen or so people at your DZ running them on a somewhat regular basis. And the only way to get better is to practice, practice, practice. If I don't come back to CO next summer to do what I did this summer as I'm thinking of, I for sure (assuming the DZO at the DZ I start jumping at in Canada lets me) will be setting up gates if they don't already have them and yes the $$$ will come out of my own pocket as well. Good luck with your swoops and I hope to see everyone again next year. Plus we're all going to be that much better. Oh and as Mark said, I too would like to visit some new DZs next summer and compete as a guest in their CPC comps. I figure the more places I compete (especially away from altitude since I grew up swooping at altitude), the better. I really need to learn how to swoop at sea level now. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

No not at all ... why do you think they should? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Am I lucky because I'm alive? yes ... Am I lucky because I'm reasonably healthy? yes ... Am I lucky because I got to play this summer? yes ... Am I lucky because the INS is making me leave a place I've grown to like (Colorado) and it's going to cost me about 2k to move back up to Canada? FUCK NO!!! So don't tell me to cheer the fuck up!!! Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Flying one's rears really rocks doesn't it? You will do so much better in the future once you get this technique down. Hope to see you and Brits again in CO next year (that's assuming I'm even there as I leave the state/country later this week). But I have evil thoughts in my head of returning for another summer of swooping next season. It's not going to be cheap, but it should be fun. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Hey I don't need you to tell me how unsafe swooping is. I am a swooper and am very well aware of the dangers. It's not like I just started into this. I've been doing it a while, started on bigger wings before moving to smaller ones, have sought advanced coaching and have dedicated hundreds and hundreds of jumps towards learning the skill. I do see where there was some original confusion to what you were saying versus what Colin might have been getting at. Yes I agree that it is ironic that a DZ would require an AAD yet permit a certain type of high performance swooping. Thanks to a recent fatality, we are learning that people pushing the limits of swooping shouldn't be using the conventional AAD. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

0:15:0 No humps ... 15 pond swoops starting Friday through Saturday. But thanks to Mother Nature and a rainy day here today, my weekend of jumping came to an end yesterday instead of today. I was hoping to get 100 pond swoops in on Mile-Hi's new swoop pond before the end of the weekend. But I came up a little short at 98 and I reget to inform y'all that this was my last weekend of skydiving here in Colorado for 2005. Thanks to the INS and their rules, I must leave the USA before next weekend. Of course I am leaving to prevent problems in the future and I have evil thoughts in my mind of doing it all over again next summer of jumping 5-7 days a week and training on the swoop pond. It's going to take some money (likely around 25k), but I sure had fun this summer and was happy to see the improvements in my swoops because of it. Nevertheless, I am going to miss Colorado. No beer owed ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over