CanuckInUSA

I've got a few more pics to share with y'all. They're a few days old. I've been swooping the pond today in kind of high winds, but there's no video (yet) to share with today's action. I should have one more crack at the pond today and if the winds calm down a little I'll downwind it. This series of pics is from Dave ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

FatBastard has given me some more pics taken last weekend to share with y'all ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I was asked to post this message to inform everyone that Mile-Hi Skydiving's Otter is to be flight tested this coming weekend. This is San Marcos's old Otter, but I think it's safe to say that this is virtually a new airplane. It was torn apart into little pieces and has been rebuilt complete with reconditioned engines and will take to the air this weekend. So hopefully it will be carrying skydivers in the not too distant future. Attached are a couple of pictures of this bird, but please keep in mind that these pictures are a few weeks old. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Hey Chris. We want you swooping with us, but don't come back too soon. I don't know what happened today, but as of yesterday we were still waiting for our first major chow. We had Keith, Myself and Billings topping out the list of the likely candidates to have the first major chow. But if you come back before one of us have christined the pond, then we'll have to put you at the top of the list. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I do believe that Mr Billings was indeed the first one to swoop the new pond. I could have been the 2nd one (or even 1st one by beating him down) as I was on the same load. But the pond hardly had any water in it when Dave swooped it. Jim has the video of it. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

This is a great idea for the non-swooper to recognize a swooper in the skies. But you can't limit the approach type we fly. Some swoopers choose to initiate their turn in brakes and some choose to initiate in full flight (I like full flight). It's not uncommon for me to be flying my rears instead of my toggles to the setup point before I start my turn. It all depends on the winds and how I did flying to the setup. Swoopers and aspiring swoopers need to be realistic with their skills while going big on regular loads. Aspiring swoopers shouldn't be doing anything bigger than 90s on normal loads until they acquired some time doing the bigger stuff on hop n' pop loads first. But as Bonnie described, an experienced canopy pilot is proactive in finding their window of opportunity in the landing pattern and for them it's no problem going big with their swoop. But this skill isn't easily possessed and until the aspiring swooper spends time doing hop n' pops learning their canopy. They are a danger to themselves as well as everyone else in the sky when they think they can go big on a regular load. If we're going to be safe up there folks, it's up to us swoopers to be smart and realistic with what we're doing under canopy. Swooping rocks!!! But it's not safe and there are no short cuts to having the skill, experience and ability to go big in the sport. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

BSBD for Vicki I hope the Canadian media isn't painting us (crazy skydivers with our zest for life and all) in a negative light again after this incident. I remember hearing about the inquest in Calgary earlier in the year and I wasn't impressed with what went on there. It was a witch hunt and the media was looking for blood and someone to blame. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Duece ... swoopers need to communicate with people on the load prior to boarding the airplane and then the swoopers need to stick to the plan so that there are no surprises. Also, when you're on the airplane have a look around to see who's on the load and what sort of jump they are doing and what sort of canopy they may fly. People need to have an idea before they jump as to where they can fit themselves into the landing pattern. Once again, this reduces the surprises. Plus non-swoopers would do themselves a favor by educating themselves on what a swooper is actually doing up in the skies. This way the non-swooper can recognize what the swooper is setting up to do and avoid following them. Once again this will help reduce the surprises. It's up to swoopers and non-swoopers to communicate with each other. Ultimately swoopers must always be prepared to abort their swoop when traffic is an issue. Two people's lives are on the line. Let's work together instead of fighting each other. PS: I know there are non-swoopers who think they are swoopers who are out there who fly poor patterns, can't get themselves to proper setup points and still induce speed for the thrill of the swoop. Some of these people will wise up, some won't. You can't change people. People must want to change for themselves. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Once again apologies to Ryan and to FatBastard. I did indeed have the Ryan mini-chow and here it is. Edit: I've also added two additonal pics to the end of my swoop sequence in an earlier post as I went pretty dang far what with the tailwind we crazy swoopers seem to not fear. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Here's some pics of Dave. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Here's some pics of Justin (courtesy of FatBastard). Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

It's on my lap top 'puter and my wireless connection at home sucks ... hold on ... I'll try it. I've still got good pics of Justin and you. Edited: Apologies need to go out to FatBastard and Ryan. I do have the Ryan chow. Give me a little time to resize some files and there'll be more Justin, Dave and Ryan Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Is that Tolli in pics xx43 and xx44? If so cool ... he put a lot of effort into this pond and it's cool to see him jumping it. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

This picture of Ryan wasn't from his mini-chow run. Actually his mini-chow run was his best effort of the day. He had a nice swoop going. I thought he was going to come up short and full out chow, but he didn't. He managed to just barely make it to the edge of the pond. He got wet, but only partially and it was a nice effort. I'm pretty sure some pictures do exist, I just couldn't get my hands on them in time. As much as we like to give Mr Harris shit, this effort was the swoop of the day. It was very very nice!!! Justin had a really nice carving swoop going over the water (he touched about 2/3 of the pond), but you're right he didn't have enough to get over the berm. I'm still going through my growing pains learning how to swoop over water, but the pictures captured from my last swoop of the day today was my best effort yet. I finally got my canopy diving and I dragged my foot through about 1/2 of the pond before I had to pop it up to clear the berm (which is only temporary as we locals have been swooping an unfinished pond). Good God .... Pond Swooping Rocks!!! Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Finally we have a few pics of yours truly doing his best pond swoop to date ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

The following pics is from Jim and Ryan. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

The next series of pics is of Justin's mini-chow ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

FatBastard got some more pics today to share with everyone. We're still awaiting our first major chow, but three swoopers (Justin, Ryan and Dave) did experience some minor chows today with Dave giving us a fabulous view of the world while upside down. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as we enjoyed swooping the pond. The first series of pics is from Dave's mini-chow ... oh Dave is a little bruised from this chow, but he should be fine and I would like to add that he got back on the horse after this chow and had a nice swoop over the pond. I'm glad you're not (seriously) hurt Dave ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

:11:1 No comment on the 1st category. 11 jumps 1 case of beer owed and paid for swooping the pond for the 1st time. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

This BASE jumper liked it. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Oh my God!!! I got to swoop Mile-Hi's new pond several times today. It wasn't the first time I had been over water, but my pond swooping experience prior to today was extremely limited and it was the first time (yes I bought beer) that I touched water with my toes on my swoops and I didn't chow ... yet. The pond isn't finished, so swooping it today wasn't the safest thing for us locals to be doing. But what can we say? POND SWOOPING ROCKS (and it is some serious business so don't try it at home without the proper training and experience). Oh my God!!! Oh. Some people ask why Mile-Hi's swoop pond is so big? After swooping it today, I can tell you that it's not too big and that it's just the right size. It'll be interesting to see what the best of the best will do here in a few weeks. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Bummer ... I was hoping to see you here. You better compete again next year. I had a blast and learned so much this year. We had a great season and I think the up and coming (safe) swooper should join us running gates (and for the truly lucky, swooping a pond). You don't need a cross-braced pocket rocket canopy to swoop a course. If people can fly clean by making the entry gates, then they will be setting themselves up to fly well no matter what canopy they jump. So get your butts off of the couches next year folks and join the CPC ranks. Once again Brits, it's a bummer you won't be here. But we can't do it all right? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

You're pond is big. But how's the wind there? On a different note, me and the worm might be doing something devilish soon. Something that is definitely not safe. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Swooping Rocks!!! But there are no short cuts. Seek qualified coaching!!! Dedicate jumps towards canopy control by pulling high and practicing drills your coach has given you. Learn the performance envelope of your canopy. Put hundreds of jumps on each canopy before you downsize to the next one and don't skip a step in the downsizing progression. Build swooping related muscle memory up high before you bring your swoop low to the ground. Talk to the local reputable swoopers (if you're lucky enough to have them). Be willing to listen to those who know more than you do. Stay current and be patient. Swooping Rocks!!! Oh and we're inducing speed to swoop with our front risers. I suggest you don't try this low to the ground until you've received proper one-on-one instruction with a reputable swooper and you've built some muscle memory up high. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

We can't wait to see you guys here (this includes you Chuck) ... We're good, but we're only amateurs. I can't wait to see what the best of the best can do here at altitude. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over