NeedToJump

That was definitely a painful draw, but we had a lot of fun. Ben - we were rooting for you guys too. It was nice to see another East Coast team without a player coach doing well. I think there were 5 player coach teams in Advanced this year! You guys rocked it out.

I load my Katana at 1.45:1 (which is pretty light as far as the Katana goes.) My openings are also soft, consistant and almost always on heading. It took me about 20 jumps to really learn how the canopy opens and how to fly the openings. To me it was worth it because I absolutely love every aspect of the way this canopy flies. It was worth it to me to learn how to deal with the openings and now the openings are great. The Katana rocks!

That was definitely sweet watching that round, the judges should have at least given them 1 point for it Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

Sweet pic Paul, nice one! Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

Congratulations Majik and Synchronicity!! You guys rock!!

You can work on many aspects of skydiving in the tunnel. Not only do you improve your flying skills, you also gain body awareness as well as general awareness as you become used to flying on a column of air. With other people you can work on exit timing as well as communication. There are also limitless ways to improve your body flight in there. As far the the tunnel not being a "requirement" - that is definitely true. There are many badass skydivers out there who have never been in a wind tunnel. However, it is becoming more and more used by all the top teams. You'd be hard pressed to find many serious 4-way RW teams that do not use the wind tunnel. It has become extremely popular for freeflying as well - Alchemy and New School of Flight (1st and 3rd place at last year's US Nationals) both use the tunnel extensively. Wind tunnels have something to offer every skydiver out there no matter the level. You definitely don't need to ever set foot in one if you don't want to, but it is an amazing tool and incredibly fun. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

I think I'll call your club "The Ankle Biters"

Hmmm, Daizey is 4'11", VanillaSkyGirl is 5'0" Hey Paige, since you're 5'2" how do you feel being the tallest person in VCSC? Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

OMG, those are hillarious!! Thanks for posting! Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

mmmmmmmm, sushi enjoy some for me!

I did it blue and green for the tunnel competition in April to match my tunnel suit. I figured Nancy had a pink suit and redish pink hair so I went for the whole team spirit thing. I've been keeping it bleached / colored since then. I find it helps in the swoop competitions too - I know it least scared ian drennan How was the partying yesterday? Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

I've got tunnel-junkie, tunnel-rat, tunnel-whore etc I also have AriRoo from a recent trip to Australia and the attached picture. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

You had me at knees

Pleeeeeeease can I join your club? Pretty please?

How about if I kneel down? Oh and ManBird - Bwahahahah!!!! Mean but hillarious! Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

I'll be there with my 4-way team. I was going to compete in freefly also this year but we didn't get a chance to jump enough. I'll definitely be there for freefly next year though. I'll be there from 10/1 - 10/6

White see through pants? Where's the zoom on this computer... Damn, Vegas isn't the only hot thing in that picture I'm wearing my tunnel suit and my blue and green hair to match the suit.

Happy birthday Chuck!

Interesting note about this whole tipping thing - I was just in Australia for 3 weeks where tipping is not expected for anything. People won't turn down a tip but it is not common at all to leave tips. 4 of us split a room at the Mariott one night and we had a ton of bags between all of us that we left to be brought up to the room. When the guy brought them up I was ready to give him a tip (because I definitely thought he deserved it) but he closed the door and left before I had a chance to. There were a couple places we ate that we did leave a tip because of excellent food / service and the server was very surprised and appreciative. I think that that's how tipping should work - it's an extra bonus that is appreciated but not expected. Here in the states I always tip 15-20% Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

Yes and it's not fun. I definitely don't recommend getting a stalker. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

I know you've heard a lot already but I figure that I'll give you my opinion as a complete tunnel rat - buy the rig. The tunnel will definitely be beneficial for you, especially a tunnel camp. The instructors and teaching methods are outstanding. If you are looking to use the tunnel to improve your freefall skills then what is the point if you can't jump afterwards. I'd say get the rig and then save up for the tunnel later. The tunnel will wait for you. Oh, and to all those people who say you can't track in the tunnel - true you can't do an all out track as far as far as using lift to gain speed goes BUT you definitely can LEARN HOW to track. You can learn the proper body position and get comfortable with it so when you get in the air you have no problem with it. There are three ways (that I know of) and two of which I have used working with people 1. Have your intructor hold on to you or stand in front of you to stop you from moving. I have had great success with using this method and it is definitely my favorite. 2. Have your feet outside the tunnel holding you in place. I do not really recommend this way unless you have a lot of tunnel time. It's definitely fun "back tracking" in the tunnel like this though 3. Go right up against the wall so you can't go anywhere. I recommend number 1 but all three work. The only real thing I can think of that you can't practice is swooping down to a formation. You can't build up enough downward and forward speed and then learn to stop it. You can practice other skills that will help it though.

I believe that is a Dean Martin quote Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

Bwahahahahaha!!!!!! I love it! Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

So that's why it didn't work for cavemen - they were missing the handcuffs! I think you're onto something here Paige... Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

Sounds good! Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com