kimgriffin

If you want to come to DeLand from the Orlando airport there is a shuttle that costs $22 one way. Well, it doesn't take you to the DZ but a few miles a way to a local hotel. You could call the DZ to see if someone can come pick you up or a cab from there would be very cheap. The shuttle is called Dotts. YOu find it at the Orlando airport on the level where all the buses are located. Just ask someone which parking bay is for Dotts. If you want to make a reservation, their phone number is 800 231 1965. The Skydive DeLand # is 386 738 3539. They are running the super otter and porter right now. They have a Sky Van but I have not seen it out in the past few weeks. There are also a few skydivers who have "team" houses so you don't have to pay the big bucks for a hotel. The cost is usually $15/day and you have your own room and use of the entire house. There aren't many teams visiting right now so I'm sure there is room. Have fun! ~Kim -Kimberly Griffin

I'll be there working a bit for the new AAD company Vigil (so new that I don't think I'll even have a T-shirt) but also to cheer on my honey who's competing on a South African 8-way and, of course, to watch the competition, cheer on the home team DeLand Majik in 4-way, see friends, talk shit, eat, drink, be merry... I hope I get to meet some of you. Damnnnnn... the Fla weather right now is stunning - blue, dry air (almost forgot what that was), will reach a high of 76. I hope it stays this way for the competitors. If you're coming from out of town, I suggest bringing some long pants and a jacket for the mornings and evenings. ~Kim -Kimberly Griffin

Heya. Just heard from Colleen Malone (Little C) that she's spinning at Club Rain with other skydiver DJs this Friday. Here's who the club has listed: 10.17.03(Fri)- DJ's (Chris Fiala, Little C, Channel Surfer,Drumfire) http://www.rain-oc.com/ Colls and Dave "Swinger" spun at Chix Rock and I heard they tore up the place. Wish the east and west coasts were closer, dammit! Sorry I'll miss it. Too many nice people and fun things to do, but I'll take that problem all day long. ~Kim Griffin DeLand, Florida -Kimberly Griffin

Thank you, Michele, for sharing that emotion filled day with us in such a beautiful way. I'm so happy for Rob's Dad, his friends and Jessica that they got to share the sky with Rob one last time. I'm sure his ash dive and memorial will help many begin to heal. I'm grateful to God that Rob is in peace and filled with love. ~Kim Griffin DeLand, Fla. -Kimberly Griffin

A cheesy self portrait of me. Yeah, there have been some nice looking guys posted here, but here's my pic for the hottest of the hot

Thank you very much for the pics! Especially of the ones of Colleen spinning. Now that little chick can rock! Is that Lew in the "hotties" picture? If so, I'm so happy to see it. On the last day at Rantoul, she had landed out and hurt herself. Being up and dancing is always a good sign. Looks like a seriously fun boogie, sorry to have missed it. ~Kim -Kimberly Griffin

Understandlable to be a little nervous of the new awareness when flying a WS. But, it will come so easily the more you jump. A big key is to just look around and look down and that is not so hard. I think WS flying safer than freeflying in many ways. I know so many freeflyers now who have popped their AADs going low, have had serious in-air collisions or their gear could not stand the fast speeds. A very nice freefly guy in DeLand is not parazlized because someone hit him in freefall. I guess each part of our sport has their own safety issues to watch out for. Good luck on getting your own suit, Vallerina! ~Kim -Kimberly Griffin

It happend at Perris Valley a couple years ago. A guy forgot to tell the pilot that he was doing a WS jump. Murphy's law, he did many WS jumps that day and informed the pilot on all except the last one of the day where he hit the plane. He exited the otter and began to bank and dive 90 degrees to the left. The plane took the same pattern, flew under him, the jumper actually hit the RIGHT side of the otter. He brushed against the strut and wheel, knocking him loopy, I think it may have deployed his main or something happened to it, he was pretty dazed but pulled his reserve. He can not recall much of the accident or how he even landed safely. One side of his suit had tire marks all over it and his wings got pretty ripped up. The suit and otter were both repaired. The otter cost a bit more to fix than the WS. This accident was a great learning tool though, so probably good it happened. Vectorboy, if I got any of this story wrong... please correct me. It's been a while since I spoke to the WS jumper above about this. Now (understandably) Perris has very strict rules about where WSs can fly. I don't necessarily agree 100% but the rules are much better than a DZ not caring or not even being aware that they should take measures to keep aircraft and WS flyers away from one another. Vallerina: I love the pic of you in the purple demo suit! ~Kim -Kimberly Griffin

Thanks for scanning that picture, Kevin. Yeah... you are right, Jari sent Maxim his gear for that shot. Oh my gosh, a WS picture in a magazine that is not Jari? Someone must owe beer for that. ~Kim -Kimberly Griffin

I want to go! But, I'm staring a new project soon and not sure if I'll be able to make it. There is still a slight chance. There are a couple of BMIs in Elsinore (Scott forget his last name and Dave Bryan) but not sure if they have many demos. If you call Elsinore to see if any BMI will be around and they will. Then maybe you could call BirdMan to see if they'd have a demo they could send out to the BMI. The only other girl BMI besides me in the US, Stacy Carl was there last year. Not sure if she'll be there again. Yep, chicks rock! Kim -Kimberly Griffin

The BM factory is actually in Slovenia. The BM designer and co-founder Robert Pecnik lives in nearby Croatia. That is where everything began and they decided to keep the factory there because it's where Robert wants to live. You should see that place... wow, beautiful. (I've only seen pics.) ~Kim -Kimberly Griffin

I agree with what people are saying here. Communication with the pilot is essential. But, unfortunately, some pilots could give a shit what you are going to do when you get out of the plane. They should when WSs are concerned but most are ignorant of the performance the suit has. I have told a pilot at my home DZ in DeLand that I was doing a WS jump and he said "I don't care." He won't change his decent for anyone. There are plenty of other pilots out there who don't care or just don't understand what we can do in a wingsuit. So, you should speak to the DZO or manager at the DZ and ask them what they think would be best. Explain how you would like to fly your pattern. Hopefully he relays info to the pilot. But, in the plane, tell the pilot that you will fly a left or right hand box pattern. In the plane you will have to leave how he will fly the plane up to him. Pilots can't discuss too much while on jump run. #1, You watch the plane when you're out flying. You have eyes and can change your heading at anytime. You should always do your best to be aware of what is around you in the sky. Even if you tell the DZO and the pilot of your pattern the pilot might forget, not care, or have to change his course for reasons you don't know, etc. So, depend on yourself only. So far Perris Valley has been the most cooperative DZ in regards to WS safety and pilot communication that I have ever encountered. They are all about learning from the experienced WS flyers how to keep the planes and wingsuits far from eachother. But, then again, that was after the WS plane strike a year or 2 ago. I'm sure if you talk to the DZO, manager and or pilot at this DZ everything will be fine. It's so great that you are taking the responsibility by the horns rather than just be complacent!! Happy flights!!! ~Kim Griffin BMI/E -Kimberly Griffin

Hi Murray. I also did my first 100 or so WS jumps (Classic and Skyflyer) with a standard bridle. I had line twists around every 10th jump but nothing that was a big deal. One reason you pull high on WS jumps is to give you time to think and deal with an unexpected situations. I don't blame you for wanting a longer bridle, though. It can only help. Some riggers know how to extend bridles. I know a rigger/WS flyer in Zhills will modify the standard bridle to the recommended 100" for something like $20. "I plan on arching with legs together for a while to bleed off some forward speed, then pulling and bringing both arms back in to reduce the burble" When you arch before pulling don't kill your back - a super hard arch is overkill. Plus, remember to keep your legs extended during the pull. Have you gotten instruction or going to read the manual and go out on your own? Congrats and welcome to the flock in advance! ~Kim -Kimberly Griffin

Sabre2 97 loaded approx 1.5. Excellent WS canopy. ~Kim Griffin BMI/E -Kimberly Griffin

To each his own - I agree 100%. Viva la diference! Competition within our sport generates constant improvements in quality and service. Plus, if we were all alike life would be very boring. ~Kim -Kimberly Griffin

Wow, that is a lot. Please don't quote me on this, my surgery was over a year ago and I have long forgotten abou the money. It was around $3000 for both eyes. The laser was one of those that will shut off at any movement. It's so sensitive that you can't even wear a fragarant deoderant or perfume. You get a complimentary breakfast of valium before surgery. I was told to wait 2 weeks after surgery to jump, but waited 1 month. ~Kim -Kimberly Griffin

Wow, bold statement by someone who has no real information to base his claim on. I have heard straight from a PD reps mouth that the Katana does indeed have some type of new technology built in it. The owner Bill Coe - who started off as a jumper sewing parachutes by hand in his garage - designed the first cross braced canopy way back when (Excalibur), designed and built multiple top of the line lasers table himself, and has worked (and is working) with the textile manufactures to create the best possible zp on the market, and I'm sure there are a ton of other things that I'm just not aware of. PD is always behind the scenes coming up with some kind of new fabric, line or design that most jumpers are probably just not aware of. Either way, I'd rather jump a company's product who puts time in to testing every size of new canopy and with all sorts of wingloadings and in every condition imaginable. All this tesing takes a lot of time which makes PD look like they're slow. But, in my option, their canopies are worth the wait. I'd rather not be a test jumper. ~Kim -Kimberly Griffin

Well, I'd have to say LASIK. The skydiver/eye surgeon Dr Joel Shugar rocks - he is truly a legend in this field. He has a huge eye care clinic in Perry, Florida. Very impressive. He even has a skydiver discount. I talke to about 10 skydivers personally who had work done by him before braving the sugery. It changed my life for sure - worth every cent of my retirement money. A link in case your want to check it out: http://www.shugar.com/ When I did have contacts, I found the best sucess to get my contacts to stay in with the Sky Systems Oxygen Helmet (the shield sits inside a grove around the helmet's edge) and, like Pablito said, mini Flexis. I would tape up all the little holes and leave only a couple at the top open so I wouldn't steam up too much. Good luck!!!! ~Kim -Kimberly Griffin

JHi again. I just IMed with someone at PD and was told that the PD main manual is outdated and being re-written. The story is that today's PD mains (meaning not the old Sabres) do not need to have the nose rolled or folded. I really do nothing with my nose except make sure it is sitting in the center nice and neat. But, if someone is experiencing a strange openings, for what ever reason (there are lots of them), they can try the technique you guys spoke of (folding 4 on the left and right inwards, center cell open). Slider placement (down at the stops, quartered), lines stows are also important. ~Kim -Kimberly Griffin

Hi! I find the Vector3 to be a bit brickish on your back, not the most comfortable. I have owned a Vector but switched to the Javelin about 8 years ago. I have never gone back. I now have the Odyssey and love everything about how it feels in freefall and under canopy. It is a very comfortable rig, looks great, very reputable safety-wise, easy to pack both for me (the main) and my rigger. You're going to have your new rig for quite a long time (unless your loaded and $'s not a factor) so, in my opinion, the Odyssey will be worth the wait. I would not make such an important decision as to which container to trust my life to on delivery times. In that case, you could get one of the less popular rigs very soon and for less money. Go for quality and comfort. ~Kim -Kimberly Griffin

Sweeet, Bill. Please congratulate Brenda for me. I'm so happy for you guys that the flock is growing. ~Kim Griffin -Kimberly Griffin

From one LadyBird to another... CONGRATULATIONS!!!! It's a beautiful, fun way to experience flight, don't you think!!?? ~Kim -Kimberly Griffin

I believe PD designs their main canopies so nothing should have to be done to the nose (the orginal, bigger Sabres were an exception - not sure about CRW canopies). The Sabre2 nose is meant to hang (nice and neat but with no rolls, folds, pushing in the middle - this can actually take away from a good opening.) Slider quatered (I'm sure everyone knows that) and with the slider grommets ALL the way down against the stops. This is how I pack mine at a 1.6 wingloading and I have very good openings. Sometimes there are other components that can cause off heading or hard openings... like the bag, stows, rig, pilot chute, etc. I'm not an expert on deployments. But, I'm sure the customer service reps at PD could help in this area. ~Kim -Kimberly Griffin

Yeah.... I would have loved to see Tall Guy in the air! Think I may need rocket boosters to get my 5'4" frame to keep fwd with him (isn't he like 6'7"?!) Can't believe BM had a demo to fit him (S3 or not). It must have been meant to be and he could have never learned to fly if it wasn't for that suit. So happy it worked out for him. Sure it was a different experience than the people at Rantoul who did their first jump on a Classic. SkyMonkeyOne would know from his days serving Uncle Sam that you can teach most people do to just about anything, especially if the person is really willing to learn. ~K -Kimberly Griffin

Hi Koen. I jump the Sabre2 97 loaded a little over 1.5. Mfg date is mid 2002. I have not had the troubles you spoke of in your original post. In fact, I have not jumped a canopy that opens so consistantly on-heading and soft. I'm primarily fly wingsuits so that's pretty important to me. I'd recommend to your friends to first make sure their stows and packing techniques are up to par (I know NO ONE likes to hear that, but it has to be said just in case.) If packing is not the trouble and their openings are consistantly diving to the left or right they should contact PD about getting their canopies checked out. PD has an excellent testing progam. I worked there for about a year 8 years ago. Usually, when you work for company you see the inner workings of how people cut corners. At PD it was the opposite. I couldn't believe how overboard they go in making sure they put out a quality product. This includes the repair/customer service dept (for when things do go wrong). If there is something wrong with your friends Sabre2s, they will take care of the problem in one way or another. The company has a lot in integrity in that area. Best of luck and wishes, Kim Griffin -Kimberly Griffin