CanuckInUSA

An upgrade to my "Bellas II" Eloy Holiday Boogie video has been made. To many it'll appear as the same version, but subtle changes were made to virtually every segment of the song and the timing of transitions to the music were greatly improved. The intro segment was reworked, and while I tried to adapt to PhreeZone's suggestion of transitioning on the major music beat (as opposed to the minor beat), I felt the minor beat was better as every video clip is virtually the same length (and this would not have been the case if I did it the other way). A few scenes were replaced throughout the freefly portions and Zenister won't be happy that the first tracking sequence doesn't show a fluid flow of each tracking dive. But this section was only tinkered with because I like quick transitions in my videos and what can I say, the video footage of those tracking dives wasn't always good (I guess I still suck as a skydiver as my targets are not always on screen or centered as I do not fly with a ring sight yet). The beginning of the big-way tracking sequence was vastly improved and the only other noticable difference is that I included a mini-credits section at the end of the video. I hope you enjoy it ... and it can be downloaded from http://www.teamcolo.org/preview.wmv Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I have a few observations about this thread so far (and I'm not saying I'm right or wrong). First off, it's no surprise that the freefliers are telling Kelly that sure it's okay come out and try some freeflying while the RW people are saying, no don't do it. You're not ready, you're not experienced, you need to continue working on your belly skills. But while the freefliers may not know the entire circumstances of Kelly's proficiency, personally I don't think the RW people are listening to what she's saying (and maybe it's because they feel threatened that they will lose another skydiver to freeflying). Well guess what folks, did you look at her profile? What is listed as Kelly's #1 interest? That's right, it lists Freeflying. Plus, she has mentioned that there are few belly fliers hanging around her DZ right now and that she's bored of doing solo belly jumps (and who after 50-100 jumps wouldn't). Plus she's mentioned that she doesn't intend to just giving up RW jumps (unlike a certain person who shall remain nameless, but is voicing his two cents this very second ). She's just looking for a change of pace and is interested in people's view points as to whether it is okay to start freeflying. Now there's been some good advice given on both sides of the fence, but not all DZs are the same. Some DZs have a heavy influence of RW people and some have a heavy influence of freefliers and some just couldn't care about either discipline as the only thing that matters is pumping out the tandems, converting those tandems into students and then let the students fumble through the early days of their skydiving careers with little or no guidance. Plus we know that regardless of which skill you do, most DZs are clicky. I see it all the time at my DZ. New jumpers come through (just as I was not long ago), they have the right intentions of wanting to learn RW (I know I did at one point), but either there are no RW jumpers to join and/or there are no mentors. So what's a person to do? Spend their entire jumping career doing nothing but belly solos? Falling on your belly may appeal to you, but for some of us, it's just down right boring. And if you don't like that statement, deal with it. I personally think that Kelly should start talking to the more experienced freefliers at her DZ about her desire to learn, start doing some solos, and get in on the belly jumps when the opportunity arises. Plus whenever possible Kelly, try to get in on some tracking dives as that is a great skill to have no matter what discipline you choose. If she will only be doing solo belly jumps, will she remain interested in the sport and what skills can she learn? People evolve, sports evolve and freeflying is only taking human flight to the next step. Obviously someone who is proficient at all disciplines is the most rounded skydiver. But if one has interests and goals, why restrict them and tell them they can only do this sort of skydiving (especially when that sort of skydiving isn't even available at all DZs). It's time to jump out of the nest and start flying Kelly. You will struggle at times (as most people do), but with the right amount of dedication, hopefully some coaching, you can over come the challenges and you won't regret it. Freeflying rocks!!! Okay, now let the RW Nazi flaming begin. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Then get out there and do some solo sit jumps. Once you believe that you're not corky all over the sky (don't worry, virtually every goes through this phase), then try to go do a sit jump with a more experienced freeflier and they will let you know if you are backsliding (once again, don't worry as most people also go through that phase). Learning to freefly is hard just as learning to fly relative to others (ie: belly jumps) is also hard and to do the two at the same time is difficult. But to say that you have to master RW before you freefly is wrong. One thing to keep in mind when doing these initial solo freeflying jumps is to align yourself perpendicular to the flight line. This way if you are sliding in the sky, you're not sliding into someone else's airspace. By the way, while it is possible to slide great distances across the sky in a sit, it's usually when people are learning headdown that this is a greater problem. Good luck and keep us posted. Freeflying is like dancing in the sky. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Colorado - Where the only thing higher than the skydivers, is the dropzone elevation. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Yes I am also curious as to how it compares. Thanks to Gillian, two people at my DZ were jumping Katana's this weekend. But I wasn't able to get a straight answer from them about the comparison. But looking at what BillVon mentioned concerning "Getting back from a long spot" on the Katana, I've got to think the Crossfire2 might have an advantage here on this point as I have been able to get back from some incredible long spots with my current canopy. Plus much of what Bill also mentioned (concerning the good stuff of the Katana) also applies to the Crossfire2. But having never flown the Katana, it's hard for a guy like me to know how they compare. But I'm sure it's a good canopy for the properly trained and experienced canopy pilot. At least that's what the jury was saying after this weekend. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I can't help but think of our friend Dewy down in "Skydive the Rockies" right now. Here was a fellow who messed himself up (he'll never walk again) after something like his 4500th skydive on a swoop gone bad. Yes the low-timers (and I likely still fall into that category myself) are at higher risks flying highly loaded canopies than the ultra experienced. But the margin for error is slim and the ultra experienced do occasionally mess themselves up as well. So the decision to swoop must come from within and the person in question is in trouble if the reason why they swoop is to impress others. Swoop for your own reasons people, but don't swoop to impress others. Unless your name is Clint Clawson (or one of the other top PST competitors), there's always going to be somebody better than you out there. Back on to the topic at hand, on jump #402 I made the decision to load my wing higher than 1.4:1 (it was a few hairs under 1.6:1 as my current profile illustrates). But in that time, I have lost about 15 lbs and next week once I get my new container ready to jump, I will weigh myself again and update my current wing loading on my profile. Also, while I have successfully stood up all 183 of my landings on my current Crossfire2 canopy. I have not mastered this wing yet. And I told myself that I would only downsize again once I have mastered this wing. To me, mastering the wing is different than standing up every landing (even when I am often pushing the limits at a high density altitude DZ). Be smart, be safe, seek training and safe swoops people. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I touched one too as yes it was crisp. Plus Toby and Jason were all smiles. So I'm thinking that they liked them and I'm sure I'd like one if I had the opportunity to jump one. But I'm still having fun on my current canopy. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

You're welcome Sunshine ... A lot of sweat and yes some tears went into that video. But no blood was shed. I look forward to releasing my "Bellas II" version sometime in the future, but I just don't have the footage right now out side of my Eloy Holiday Boogie preview song (which I will try and update tomorrow as some minor changes and tinkering has been done). Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

And if/when you're ready for some real excitement, bring that new canopy of yours up to CO in the summer and experience our high density altitude (we also often have no wind conditions as well). Of course only when you're ready as things do go faster here (which is good and not so good at times). Speaking of this, I wonder if the PST would ever come here? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

It's the man, fry the man, especially if he owns and has to give up his weapons!!! Just kidding ... I saw your other thread and your ex sounds like a few screws are loose. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Historically my debts have always been low and often paid that month. But I kind of went crazy buying gear this last month (and I still haven't ordered a wingsuit yet). So I expect a big bill next month. But as long as I stay employed, it'll be paid off soon. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Once http://www.skydivingmovies.com comes back online, you can get all the free stuff your heart desires. But who knows when it'll be back online. Of course we can't complain as it's not our site. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Congrats. I hope you bought some beer. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

You probably already know this, but it's actually kind of hard to see the black coloring on the inside of the canopy from most angles (hence the reason why having that end cell black being a good option). Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Nice color scheme. My is very similar (neon green instead of yellow?), except that I didn't think to get that end cell colored in black. Yours is going to be choice alright. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Dude I love my Crossfire2 and you'll love yours as well. It's worth the wait. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Phil ... you could tell them that you're Canadian. It worked for me a couple of years ago. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I love that "Dino2.jpg" picture of yours. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Originally I didn't want to reply to this, but seeing as no one else has stepped forward, I guess I'll give it a go. First off are you thinking of buying a new or a used container? You will save money if you buy used, but the benefits of buying new is that it'll be sized for your body and a good strategy would be to buy the new container sized so that the initial main canopy you use may be a little tight (obviously not too tight). This way you can still downsize (once or even twice) and still use the same container. So here are a few other things to keep in mind when buying new (some of these points will also apply to buying a used container): 1) Look around at your local DZ and try to figure out what are the popular types. If you think that eventually you will want to sell the container (like most of us do), then you don't want to be stuck with something that nobody wants. And if you have a popular container, guess what? You should have no trouble selling it. Also try to see if you can try on some of the containers that jumpers at your DZ may have. There may be one type that fits your body better than another. 2) Virtually all modern containers are safe and will do the job. But if you are buying a used container, try if possible to find one which is freefly friendly. And before all of the RW Nazis start shitting down my neck for trying to promote freeflying. I'm not. But why would you want to jump with a sketchy container when a freefly friendly container gives you the proper bridle and riser protection. Also any good modern container will NOT use velcro on their products. Velcro is no longer needed in the modern skydiving world and should be avoided when possible. 3) There has been some interesting inventions in the last couple of years and one of them which should be noted is the skyhook from Relative Workshop. The skyhook is a new innovated RLS which works like a RSL but only better (apparently it'll cutaway the malfunctioning main and deploy your reserve so fast that it's almost impossible to develop line twists on your reserve). Currently only RWS supplies the skyhook, but this may or may not change in the future. But that doesn't mean that the other manufacturer's don't make a good product. 4) Riggers may want to step in here, but I am under the impression that not all containers are equal when it comes to packing your reserve and you don't want to be stuck with a container in which no rigger will repack. I don't want to name names (because I know loyalists of this container will start shitting down my neck), but there is a certain container whcih many riggers vow not to touch. 5) You may also want to talk to the different container manufacturers about their estimated delivery times. It used to be that certain companies could deliver faster than others, but in that time word has gotten out and some companies have been flooded with orders and can no longer deliver as fast as they used to. So ask around. What else? I'm sure someone else can add to these and no doubt someone else will think I'm full of it. Once again, you likely won't go wrong with any modern container from one of the major manufacturers and often it'll come down to availability, price and popularity at your local DZ. I myself jump a Wings container and they just recently finished making me a really nice product which I haven't jumped yet. Plus I also recently picked up a used Vector3 as a 2nd rig (and I'm thinking out outfitting it with a skyhook). But that doesn't mean that I wouldn't buy a Javelin or a Mirage if the planets were aligned when it came time to buy. Good luck, look at what people use at you local DZ and don't be afraid to talk to the manufacturers. Oh I see you're from the Ranch. Tell Thereza (sp?) that I say "hi" and that I'll be gunning for her during those ever so fun tracking dives the next time we're jumping at the same DZ. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Don't forget to get video. One of these days I've just got to bring my helmet cam to the ski resorts for some shits and giggles. In fact I did bring it when Winnie and I went to Keystone last month. But by the time we thought about breaking it out, it was too late in the day to get it from my Jeep. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I didn't know Tamer was the one visiting your guys this weekend. Tell him I said "hi" and that I thought he showed great restraint and not caving into Winnie. I first met Tamer at the Bytch Boogie but then met again during the Holiday boogie and witnessed the infamous "Tamer versus Winnie wingsuit negotiation" episode. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Cool ... thanks for the info and yes I was guilty of not searching for previous posts first. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Why? Because I don't like the idea of RSLs for anyone other than students and maybe tandems. And the bottom line is that I want to be clear of my malfunctioning main before the reserve is pulled. But I'm under the impression that the skyhook is different since it supposedly deploys the reserve so fast. But I don't know? Maybe the skyhook isn't what it's made out to be? Anyway, I don't want this thread to turn into a RSL debate. I want to know if skyhooks (which I guess also come attached to an RSL) are a good or a bad idea for wingsuit jumps. If there is any doubt, then it's no skyhook for this camper. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I got an email from RWS yesterday addressing my questions about modifying the new (used) container which I plan to use for wingsuit jumps. But here's my question for the knowledgable out there. Is using RWS's skyhook a good idea for wingsuit jumps? I wouldn't ever think of using a traditional RSL on a wingsuit jump, but the skyhook seems different because it's able to deploy the reserve so fast. So what do some of you think about this? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

As I said, those are only words and maybe I was only talking out of my rear end? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over