UKFSChick

Thanks. Do you often get twists? I was wondering if thicker lines would make a difference.

If you keep your eye on your goals, you will achieve them. There are many paths you can take in the sport, ignore people who try to put you off. :)

I always check my rigs into the hold and have never had a problem. When I took it as hand luggage once, customs asked me to 'open it' but I blinded them with rig-science and they gave up and let me go. Advisable also not to make any mention of the Cypres as it just confuses things, mentioning small explosive devices and little knives and all that.

I left the DZ YESTERDAY! Thanks for letting me know we missed all the fun!

Hiya I'm thinking of switching from a Sabre 2 120 to a Katana 107 (I used to have a Stiletto 120). Any Katana/ Sabre 2/ Stiletto users able to comment on openings and performance? I've always loved my Stiletto but switched to the Sabre 2 due to using packers on tight back-to-backs... the Stiletto has always opened beautifully when I've packed it but not always so pretty depending on the packer and their schedule! I also like the flight characteristics of the Stiletto, and the landings, as a preference to the Sabre 2, and would have stuck with it were it not for the potential opening issue on a scrappy pack-job. I am hoping a Katana 107 would be higher performance than a Sabre 2 but with more predictable openings than a Stiletto, bearing in mind whatever I have is likely to have been packed in 3 minutes flat :) Any feedback appreciated. Thanks Emma ps I should add I am not a big swooper, with an exit weight of around 145lbs depending on who I'm jumping with and how much lead I have on. I won't be loading a 107 very heavily.

The girls were fantastic and really quick learners. We did blocks 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14 and 21 with them (piece moves only on 8, 11 and 21). Unbelievable. If only they'd had tunnels like this 20 years ago. Beats gymnastics and piano lessons

Yes :) Did some great 4-way with some 10 and 12 year old girls!!! Amazing to watch them in the tunnel (http://www.onthelineskydiving.com/SVCphotos.html) ! It's the future...

Definitely awesome coaching. There are also other camps with Airspeed-only coaches run by former Airspeed member, Gary Beyer. Info at my sig below :) The last camp he ran was in Colorado with Kirk Verner but he does them all over the US and Europe, both tunnel and jumping. Well worth keeping an eye on the future dates. Emma

Hey good luck in putting your team together. One-on-one coaching is great prep for your first 4-way team. There is also a good recent article from Skydive Mag on putting a team together here: http://onthelineskydiving.com/NewsDiary.html

Five! Not bad (although sounds like addiction...)! Did you come to the one Gary was running with Kirk at SVColorado at the weekend? Big fun with some very little people! (And some normal-sized ones too...) Emma

The info on the camps and Gary's contact details are at http://www.onthelineskydiving.com/ColoradoCamp.html Emma

Mmm..catchy...

And the name of this scary looking Challenge this year is...? Looks like a weird religious symbol, all stars and crucifixes... Did they ever come up with a name for last year's? Nice one Chris..was that your Challenge virginity and did you buy beer?

For people who have sent me PMs and have slots ear-marked, I understand these camps are now almost fully booked, with just a couple of places left. If you miss out on a full slot you could try calling for evening time during that week (7th - 12th officially, although extra night time flights might be released 13th - 16th if people request it specifically. They might also be available 3rd and 4th for evening tunnel coaching after the free team coaching at Weston... as long as they don't get stuck in Weston bar...). Emma

Hey Sam, Personally I've found doing a lot of tunnel training has helped with overall calmness and awareness during a skydive, as you are so much more in control and used to the sensation of freefall. Forgetting something like alti checks in freefall is often due to being 'over the line' i.e. not being calm enough. This has a knock-on effect to your awareness and ability to do what you've been trained to do, such as alti checks, breathing etc! I also think your freefall internal clock works regardless of tunnel time - if anything, it works better when you are calm and tunnel helps with this as it builds confidence. Most 4-way teams who train a lot in the tunnel have audible altis - which is worth considering once you are used to manual alti checks. They are a safety catch for your internal clock (if it goes wonky for some reason!) Have a great time in the tunnel, it rocks :) Emma Team Airkix PS You really never know where things can lead you, especially if you're getting into some tunnel time. Enjoy. :-)

There will be FREE COACHING with Gary Beyer and Mark Kirkby (16 years combined on Airspeed) at Skydive Weston UK, June 3rd & 4th. Gary is back again, August 12th and 13th right before Nationals. It is aimed at 4- and 8-way teams, but individuals can also get in touch to discuss coaching options / load organizing. There is more info here:www.onthelineskydiving.com (go to the News / Teams sections) You will need to register in advance to reserve a place as slots are limited. Thanks to Ash Kemp and Steve Scott at Weston for hosting such a cool event for UK jumpers!

Hiya - yes, Gary and Mark are also doing evening time in 15 minute slots every night they are there - although I understand quite a bit of that time has already gone (blame insider info)! I also heard a rumour that they're also going to be at Skydive Weston the weekend before (3rd and 4th June) for skydiving coaching. Ash Kemp at Weston has details. It will definitely be interesting at UK Nationals this year to see what impact all this coaching/ multiple wind tunnels has on the scores!

Gary Beyer and Mark Kirkby (16 years combined on Airspeed) are doing 1-on-1 camps 7th - 12th June. PM me or contact Bodyflight for more info.

Just to let you know, we have been using it with our coach and he loves it, he plans to use it with all the many teams he coaches. Nice one :o)

I would say that, for an existing 4way TEAM, 2 on 2 is better than 3 on 1. That way you still get to have the team flow thing going on with at least one other member of the team, even though your opposite and piece partner are pros. It's also good to be able to watch your own piece partner fly with a pro while you stand in the door. You can see what the coach is doing to make his or her life easier (compared to what you may be doing!). It can 'clean up' 4way issues much more quickly. And having the feedback of 2 coaches (even if you already have another coach, as they see different things/ explain them in different words) is invaluable.

$1300 - more info here on tunnelcamp.com

Yeah but hang on a second here Sparky...why DON'T we just aim to do a 22 average? Why bother with all the messiness of going through the 'teens'?

I thought you were a Brit, Liz?

Thanks for the info guys...I will call some of the numbers on the site and see what they can do. Any direct contacts in the SA Military skydiving scene also much welcomed! It is in reference to a major training proposition widely used by other nations' military already...We are trying to test the interest of the SA military too :) Thanks Emma

So..anyone with South African connections know how I can get in touch with someone involved in the SA Military? It's for a possible SA-based skydiving business I'm looking into right now...Mainly I need to know if the SA Military has any kind of freefall school / Special Ops..anything like that...having trouble finding any contacts and not sure where to start!... But I know there's a bunch of you SA types out there on DZ.com! :-) Many thanks Emma