vt1977

Finding accommodation in Empuria in August can be a nightmare. I went on short notice one August and the only room available anywhere was in Hotel Portofino. I don’t have the number to hand but if you call the DZ they may be able to help. Portofino was excellent but expensive (and nicely located half way between the town and the DZ), although no more so than anywhere else in Empuria in August! Good luck! Vicki PS Have you called the DZ and asked? They are agents for various apartments etc.

:0:0 No jumping for me this weekend... but a LOT of packing. Made just under £300!!! My hands hurt!!!!! Vicki

I have a friend who suffered a burst fracture in the lumbar spine - she was back jumping (I think) 2 years later. Vicki

[Knocks on wood...] I hate answering this question... 1017 so far without one.

Macca - can you please list your injuries and explain how you managed each of them? Vicki

Gremlin got down from a jump last year complaining of a very slow and “strange feeling” opening and asked if I would pack for him. As I cocked the pilot chute something just didn’t feel right, so I looked inside the bag to discover that the link had bent itself open and only the kill line remained on the link. It was no wonder he had had a strange and slow opening! Needless to say this prompted a lot of people to check their links! A soft link was suggested, but I haven’t seen this done. Can anyone post a photo? Vicki

Macca - can you explain wtf you've actually done to yourself??? I've heard so many stories that surely cannot be true... Vicki

I call him gremlin! Because he loves to cause trouble! Vicki

Up to 30% now! Vicki

Agreed. I recently heard a great reply to the "I'll get bored with a bigger canopy" argument for downsizing. Guy in a gear shop speaking to very experienced skydiver and gear dealer, tells that dealer he has to buy a smaller canopy or he'll be bored under canopy. Gear dealer's reply: "I've never, ever been bored under canopy. If you think you're going to be bored under canopy it's you who is boring not the canopy." I liked that! Vicki

I agree with the rest of your post, but I have to take issue with this part: With somewhere between 50 and 60 jumps, I started jumping my first rig which contained a PD170 main which I was loading at a little over 0.8. I had downsized from a student 220 (wing loading of approx 0.65). I felt safer under the 170 because I wasn’t always backing up in very moderate winds, it felt easier to fly and I was (comparatively!) more in control.

:2:0 only one day at a DZ this weekend - hence only 2 jumps, both on Saturday. Vicki

Have a good one JP!

Most of the spotting/JM responsibilities/canopy handling stuff is often handled as part of IC1 and (strictly speaking) teaching it is the responsibility of the CSI who gives the IC1 briefings. However in practise any half decent WARP coach will give you as much help you need with these skills (and any other skillss to help keep you safe in the air) – whether that is letting you help with the spot, advice on canopy control etc.

Nothing up on the BPA site - I'll try to find out and will post it here if/when I do!

Need to make a few additions to my list... G-92 Long Ranger Helicopter C-130 Hercules! Vicki

I was 16 when I did my first static line round. I've been jumping since then, but it was a very slow start because at that point I had two more years at school and 4 years at University so had very limited money to jump! Vicki

Put simply – WARP is a pretty outdated system consisting of 10 levels which gets you by the 10th level to complete a 4 point 4 way and fulfil the requirements for the BPA FS1 qualification. The WARP coach qualification is not particularly hard to obtain and at most DZs once you get the rating that is it – there is no requirement to keep your skills or what you teach up to date. Sky U is (I believe – I’m sure someone will correct me) a 20-25 level structure where the emphasis is more on learning to fly your body well. Sky U is more up to date and it is, I believe, a more difficult rating to get. The coaches have to keep their skills and teaching content up to date. However… before I completely put you off WARP it is worth bearing in mind that there is nothing wrong with the WARP structure itself if it is taught well and if modern flying skills are included. A lot of WARP coaches in the UK do use a lot of Sky U-type teaching methods and provide good quality FS coaching. Some WARP coaches do make the effort to keep their skills and what they teach up to date – others less so. In short, WARP is often only as good as the person teaching it, with Sky U you are pretty much guaranteed good, up to date instruction. Sky U is not particularly wide spread in the UK – I guess mainly because of the cost of doing 20+ jumps with a coach at UK prices to get FS1! There is of course always the weather factor too… My advice? If you want to gain your FS1 in the UK try to find an FS coach who has been coached themselves and who keeps their skills and what they teach up to date. If you have the time and money to go abroad, find a Sky U coach and/or a tunnel camp! Hope this is helpful!

Full 8-way results available now on the BPA website. Vicki Edited to make the clicky work!

Mmmmmm... Hercules... a truly beautiful aircraft and that exit! Mmmmmm..... Vicki

First off, the pilot has to be a BPA Approved balloon pilot. There are a few around (at least one at Headcorn that I know of).

Special K Peach and Apricot - ideally served with vanilla Muller Light. Delicious! Vicki

They should be up on the BPA site in a day or two - I will post the link when they are put up.

Caz do you realise that if you are up North that weekend you will miss the truly awesome Nethers foam party????? Vicki

:6: 6 jumps at Hibaldstow for the British 8-way Nationals. 5 completed rounds on Saturday and a jump off round on Sunday morning! surely owed for first Nationals medal - a silver!