debonair

I think it was 1986 - I had travelled very little and made my first skydiving trip to Coolidge for the Thanksgiving Boogie. I was a little fish from a cessna DZ in a big ocean of Beeches and DC3s. I noticed that lots of people had bizarre tee-shirts like "Skydivers eat their dead" and strange graphics of the grim reaper and other assorted demons. Around the firepit I heard stories of people "pissing in craters" and learned that for the locals it was almost a tribute to participate in the act. It was also a way to "thumb" their noses at the threat of a black death. It wasn't until I was on a 13way (immense for me) and it broke off close to 1000' (the standard for them) that I looked down and saw the skull and crossbones on the ground and the words Ghoulidge along the runway. Unless you were low enough to see the details you couldn't tell it said that from altitude. It wasn't my personal style but I did wear the tee-shirt back home and told some good no shit there I was "war" stories. Every once in a while I run into Dave Mahoney and give him a bad time about his old beater van with the bleached cow skull mounted on his front bumper. Those were the days alright. I wouldn't necessarily want them back but they made for some rich memories. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

So, do people still go for this award? It's the Women's Star Crest Recipient. You have to dock 8th or later on an all-female base. Deb WSCR-1178 AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

27:45 AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

DanT owner of Paraphenalia (manufacturer of the Softie pilot rigs) told me about a pin breaking in his rig. He said that the tension on their rigs is a lot less than a sport skydiving rig and he was very concerned about the situation. After this happened, he told me (a couple of months ago) that he recommended all jumpers check their pins regularly because there was no way to really tell when a pin might fail. He made me promise not to jump again until my pins were tested. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

See related cross-post http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=356618#356618 AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Hey Gordo - mine is Bingo too. Bingo Fairchild. Yours has a better "ring" to it! Hugs from the PNW where we had some sunshine today. deb AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Happy birthday - in 8 mins (I'm on the west coast) it will be my birthday too! Thanks for sharing it! deb AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

No jumping at the Arlington Airport. They are not open to it and haven't been for many years. Too bad, it's a beautiful open airport. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Hi Kristin, Unlike some others who have responded, I don't see a problem with getting weights at your experience level. You may find with experience, stretching and relaxing that you don't need all the weights you start off with. Fact is, later on competitive 4-way and even larger dives may require you use weights so the investment won't go to waste. As far as canopy size, it's hard to give a specific answer or recommendation without knowing and seeing you fly. I have always been conservative in my canopy sizes. I jump a Spectre 150 and weigh about 155lbs without weights. I am comfortable jumping up to 10lbs of weights - after that I still jump my 150 but use more caution in my turns, approach and landing. Keep learning and asking questions! There's no dumb questions here... AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

You can swim out of your rig. You can unclip your belt under canopy and get rid of the weights before you hit the water, but you can't swim out of a vest. Around water, use a weight belt and wear it OUTSIDE your jumpsuit. I used to have weights in the back of my rig. It made my rig heavy to carry. It wasn't too uncomfortable in freefall but was somewhat more noticable under canopy. I prefer the weight belt because I don't feel so self-conscious about sticking my "gut" out to arch and it is comfortable even under canopy. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

You may not have yet heard but Shannon is getting out of the weightbelt market. You can buy directly from his supplier - Cutaway Enterprises (cutaway@eskimo.com). Art Bori is the owner of Cutaway Enterprises and he also manufacturers the most popular helmet bags. I stress test all his designs - his gearbags are superior in looks and functionality to anything else I've seen. He makes quality products at a reasonable price and he cares about customer satisfaction. I highly recommend him and his products. Edited to add: This is not a sales push. I'm just telling the truth. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

20 years ago this year a Lodestar crashed in Silvana, WA. It was a terrible airplane accident that took many skydiving friends from us. I'm posting the following from Dan T, owner of Paraphenalia - manufacturer of the softie pilot's rig. His business is located on the Arlington airport in WA State. -------------------------------------------------------- As I have mentioned I plan to have a get together at Para-Phernalia on Thursday the 21st of August in memory of the 20th Anniversary of the Loadstar crash. I know it is in the middle of the week - but most people our age can afford a few hours off on a Thursday. I am giving all the employees at Para-Phernalia off at 2:30pm so we can have a BBQ and/or whatever Kids are invited i hope for this to be a happy occasion. Of course Lani is planning to bring VIDEO's Please help me get the word out to all the folks that would like to come Dan T Dan Tarasievich [softieparachutes@pstbbs.com] ------------------------------------------------------ - deb AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

You qualify and you know it. Those children are beautiful and very obviously loved. Your life is a blessing. "To the world you are only one person. To one person, you may be the world." Thanks for sharing. Deb AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

I rigger I know (not my own) told me last night that there are some recent documented problems where the reserve closing pin snapped. He recommended that anyone jumping should have their rig's reserve pin(s) checked. I didn't see anything on this, anyone have info or can refer me? Thanks! - deb AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Carey, I thought of you immediately when I heard the news. Your dad was a great actor but more than that, he was your dad. May he rest in peace. Shalom. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Thanks Michele, I feel very much the same way. Below is a quote that I think is very appropriate. People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness People may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway. - Mother Teresa __________________________________________ debonair

Yes, in-outs were the theme - the event got back to the basics of flying with precision after last year's focus of "speed & movement." I really like the fact that everyone has to be flying at their best in order for the skydive to work. Any off-heading docks and the in-outs would not close, making the 84-way impossible to build. The challenge jump built on the 2nd attempt and we held it forever (10 secs I think). Later we made several attempts at our old nemesis the cat-diamond formation. It flew steady and more stable that the initial attempts but still stands as the only AZ Challenge formation we've never manage to complete. ... and yes, you're right. George is a genius! AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

A cloud, perhaps the only one in AZ that day.

Can't help sharing this. I think it is one of the most awesome looking skydives I've had the pleasure to be a part of. The print is going to look SO cool on my wall! Great photo by Jason Peters! http://www.skydiveaz.com/AZ%20Challenge%202003/IMG_6096web.jpg AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Hi Adam. Everyone has pretty much said the same thing. I'll add my personal experience in case it's helpful. I learned thru the static line process. I would wake up on Monday still buzzed over the jump(s) I'd made that past weekend. I'd talk excitedly to anyone at work who would listen and be all hyped up for the next opportunity to jump. On Tuesday the buzz would lessen but still I was on a "high" by Wednesday I'd start to dread the weekend. Thursday and Friday I'd start to get a sick feeling in my stomache. Saturday morning I'd force myself to go out to the DZ and sit in the parking lot for a while. Once I got in the door I went straight to the bathroom where I promptly got (sorry but it's true) the shits. As soon as I had my rig on my back I was calm and perfectly capable to do my jump. Of course on Monday, the whole cycle would start again. Like someone else wrote, by around 25-30 jumps you start to feel more comfortable with the ongoing concept of throwing yourself out of the plane. But in the beginning, putting my student rig on was the thing that settled me down the most. Hang in there. If you pursevere (and you've already come so far!) you'll discover that the air is something you just can't live without. Breathe. Slow and easy - it is possible to control the fear. You CAN do it! AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Rainer is beautiful isn't it? Here is a shot of Whidbey Island and the Olympics from my back deck in Marysville. Welcome to Washington! deb AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Forgot to share a picture I have on my hard drive. Got it from a friend after Sept 11. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

I haven't been up to Abbotsford to skydive in years. Do they still have the hot tub? I've also made quite a few at Pitt Meadows as well. The BC area is a beautiful place to skydive, so is Washington state - when it's clear and sunny. Too bad our weather sucks in the winter. ... Deb (in Marysville, WA) AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Hey TB I don't know you but I do know that sense of not belonging and feeling lonely. Winter doesn't help the situation. You say you are normally upbeat and cheerful -- that means you'll make some new friends once you can get out more! It's good to let it out. Sounds like you have a poetic heart, maybe you should write some more of those thoughts down. Sometimes when I'm down and blue I put on some strong "sing it loud" music and scream out the lyrics to a favorite song. If it's a decent day, I get in the car and then I don't have to worry about my neighbors! If I can't skydive it is at least another way to burn some energy and it almost always leaves me feeling calmer. Take care, ...deb AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Is a chain around your neck any less likely to get caught on something and cause an injury? I wouldn't think so. ...deb AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers