frost

Just that? I mean i knew that, i thought may be someone showed up on something bigger then 120 loaded at 2.6 or something :) Size does matter after all :) SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

Just curious... what do u mean? how did things go this year? SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

Oh, pheww....... that's a load off. For a minute there, I thought I was going to have to put on 50lbs of lead to get to your wingload. Anyone tell you that you are a walking statistic? (retorical) peeps in the uk dont know how to fly canopies, his profile is there just so he can spark debate. I think you are correct sir! :) It appears that he is just a wanker with an ego the size of Texas and an "assholish" (is that a word?) sense of humor. How dare you people question his profile! edited to indicate possible personal bias SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

From my understanding any canopy can be used. But the more loaded/higher performance ones will need a steeper slope. During summer time, i'd think local ski places would be suitable (i am in the North Eastern US). They charge a nominal fee for a day lift ticket for hikers and mountain bikers. May be a paragliding launch site can be used? Just make sure you check for turbulance and winds if you are choosing a site on your own. I myself would love to hear from people in my area NY-NJ who have found local ground launch sites. SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

If you are going to learn and do it yourself, check this link: http://www.bigairsportz.com/art-groundlaunch.php SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

Why does that matter? You are guaranteed to have fun (just so long as attitudes are left at the door!!). This has always been an event based around the competitors and them having fun. Talk to Mike Ennis (Nullified) about whether you have to place to have fun. Ask Mike Shatalov (Frost) if you have to be assured money to consider competeing. Although he should have gotten wet! Anyway the more people come out to these meets and compete, the more fun we all have. See you next year. Hey, i placed better then most of the pros did in the last three meets!! :)) What does it say about my skills? Absolutely nothing... i BROUGHT my attitude and STILL had fun. SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

Thanks for the link, Dave. Very interesting read. Dont know how i missed that SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

No way!! who let him enter?? Where can i read about that? Arent they all one and the same though? ;) SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

Please elaborate - i am interested to hear your opinion on that. alot of people, mostly younger jumpers that are now getting into swooping dont even know how to fly the canopy. they got an idea and get lucky with a killer swoop ever now and then and think that adding weights will make that lucky swoop better. well it will, but getting lucky "consistantly" takes skill and practice and hard work and focus, if you only get lucky every now and then, that would mean you still need to learn more about the parachute. granted, getting lucky and finding that spot is how one learns. you take what you did and try to re create it. this is also why you should only change one thing at a time. so you can see what works and what doesnt. coaches can help also, by trying to explain where it is better to be, or what you should change next. adding weights comes when you get to a top notch pilot. then add weights to gain more performance. and adding weights wont gain you performance if you cant "consistantly" be in that spot. Thanks for your reply. I agree with you in most of the points, especially that there is no replacement for practice. No additional weights or type of canopy will help you gain the skill that you can get by making more jumps and practicing. But i dont think that they are nessesarily hurting their swoops... may be just limiting their learning of the canopy and its capabilities? SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

Why? If recreational drugs have no bearing on performance, and I'm trying to imagine what beyond caffeine may matter, then it's merely marketing the sport. I think championship snowboarders should be able to smoke pot if they want, too. Sure I thought to myself, this is a fake X Games sport for dopers, but should a competitive sport really be altered merely for viewer interest and approval? http://www.le.state.ut.us/~1998/bills/hbillenr/HR0002.htm Edited to add: Recreational drugs DO have an effect on performance, negative or positive is open to debate. SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

Please elaborate - i am interested to hear your opinion on that. SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

That depends on how you define "performance enhancing drugs" ;) I am with you on that whole notion of "keeping it real", but i think it's unrealistic to expect skydivers to quit smoking pot and doing coke :)) SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

may be, yes. but doing that will cut the number of world class competitors in half... if not more SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

A quote from WSA main page: ".... The WSA provides guidance and advice to its members around the world on matters such as competition, judging, coaching, swooping schools, anti doping and drug testing and other areas of development of the sport." LOL. Are you serious? SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

big words. Enjoy your chopper ride. SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

i think you already got ALL the help and advice you need. Or able to comprehend. oh and BTW...watch your language, son. SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

I firmly suggest that you downsize. You are special. You have a better understanding of canopy physics at 100 jumps than most people who have 1000’s of jumps. I really wouldn’t pay much attention to what these experienced jumpers are telling you. They are just jealous that you are doing so good and progressing so much faster than they did. They are trying to hold you down. If you really want to turn some heads, I recommend the Velocity 90. You will push every envelope and it will be a true test of your talent and skill in the sport. When you have survived at least a dozen landings on this canopy, you can post your success story here in the forums. Only then, will people realize how wrong they were to question your judgment. Finally a sensible answer! Bravo! Seriously, let the man jump whatever the hell he wants! Arent you tired yet of all this "should I downsize? I am in tune with my body!" nonesense?? Let them learn on THEIR mistakes. SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

it's all about the money! SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

here are a few pics my friend was taking http://maxf.net/~vadim/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=swoop-2005 SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

Guys and girls, i have been doing some reseasrch and reading reviews on PC1000, PC330/350, Optura 400 and a few other camcorders. Looks like PC350 is the winner for the price and features http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-DCR-PC350-Camcorder-Review.htm A friend is willing to sell for 800 an almost new PC350 to me. Is that a good deal? Should i go for it? Any opinions? Thanks!! SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

What's with all this "take it off line" BS? There are no personal attacks here, the topic is "discussable", people are showing interest in it... it IS a forum for discussion of relevant topics isnt it? Dont want to read it - DONT. SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

... less then two weeks away. Who is coming? SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

Amen SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

PM sent SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

Agreed :). And yes, you can - a. get a longer line set or b. get longer risers to keep the VX in a dive more. SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.