matttrudeau

Get there early and let them watch for a while. They'll fly better if they can watch and learn from other people. If you're going to back fly in the tunnel, tell your instructor before going in the tunnel. That way, he or she will know what you're going to do before you do it and if they see you struggling to stay up, they turn the wind up without you having to ask. The family will have a great time on their first flight.

They just did it for fun in Orlando. Wasn't too productive but still a cool shot. You can see the instructor holding on to his feet for dear life.

Going very well. We'll post pictures after the challenge for everyone to see. Lots of talented flyers and many different styles. Just having fun flying with everyone and seeing what we can come up with.

Hope to see you there! Calling all bodyflyers! April 21-24, SkyVenture Perris will hold the 4th Bodyflight Challenge at SkyVenture Perris, CA. All the best bodyflyers have been challenged to fly with each other to share knowledge and vibes to innovate the sport of bodyflight. A major meeting, and expression of some the most experienced wind tunnel flyers in the world. Just as the first Challenge, flyers from different facilities all over the country are planning to attend to see what they can pull off in Perris’s fast air. Fliers will have some time by themselves to play around in the air, but the main focus is getting to all fly together. We expect to spend the majority of the time flying two, three, and four way freefly, with each flier getting to share the air with every member of the Challenge. So if you would like to see a display of some of the world’s most creative flying, we will be at SkyVenture Perris on the evening of April 24 for the finals of the competition. If you wish to attend, please come check us out, it will be an exhibition of skills not to be missed. If you are a Bodyflyer out there that we have not gotten in touch with, we apologize, but if you wish to accept the challenge please email Joao Tambor at joaotambor@yahoo.com for all of the details. We look forward to seeing everyone at the challenge!! http://www.skyventureperris.com/events/tunnel.asp

Sean is a fun coach. I hope to see him and Steven here in Perris for the Bodyflight Challenge in April. Sometimes progression in the tunnel can be very frustrating. Certain things come easy and other things take month's to learn. And sometimes what you're trying to learn is just a variation of what you already know how to do. Nothing is more gratifying than overcoming something you've struggled with for a long time in there. Seeing someone or pushing your own flight progression one step further is a such a high because you know what it took to get there.

The best part of my job has been all the people I've met from around the world. They come from places I'll probably never get a chance to go to. I've never participated in a sport that was so international. What keeps me motivated is coaching someone and seeing their progression first hand and knowing that you are partly responsible for their success. Continuing my own progression also keeps me refreshed and pushing forward. That's what gets me excited about the tunnel.

It's going to require you to meet certain skills before moving onto others in the tunnel. For example, You need a B license to do a night jump or a D license to do a beach jump. The requirements will be safety oriented and will be internationally recognized. We can travel to many USPA dropzones and they let us jump because we've met the requirements for the USPA. Your card will represent your skill level and it will specifically state what you're cleared to do and what you're not cleared to do. There will be certain requirements for you to be a coach in the tunnel. Only after you've met those requirements will you be able to teach those skills in the tunnel. For example: if you can't do a backflip, you won't be able to teach others how to do them.

Yes, the IBA is coming. We're already using it here at the Perris Tunnel. It is designed to evaluate not only flight skills but instructing skills as well. We kind of think of it as the USPA Membership for wind tunnels. With so many tunnels being built in the near future, this will help coaches and flyers easily transfer and keep up to date with their skills at several tunnels. Orlando is heading the project so contact them if you want more info.

The Ouragan wind tunnel suit is the most high peformance suit designed specifically for the tunnel. Not only was is designed but it was continually tested to ensure that it was the most responsive freefly suit ever. I work in the tunnel every day and I have never flown such a tight suit with such dramatic lift. I highly recommend Ouragan suits to anyone who is serious about freeflying in the tunnel.

Check out this link for Steven's website. He's got an excellent tunnel progression. [url]http://www.blincoe.org/tunnel.html

The key to taking grips in the tunnel is to bring your legs a little wider and then think about trying to move forward. Presenting as sit position grip will want to try and move you backwards and down. Bring your other arm behind you and present the grip with your elbow down. Practice flying up off the net while in the "grip" position. Pretty soon, it will come very naturally. Good luck, Matt

If you're interest is in freeflying, the tunnel will take it to a new level. In the sky, we learn how to belly fly, sit fly, and head down. In the tunnel, we learn everything in between and how each piece works. It will make you a much more confident flyer and your skill will increase dramatically. Matt

Go to the SkyVenture tunnel in Florida. They'll help you start with the right position. The more time you do the better you'll be.

Hi Denise, I'm so sorry to hear that. It's amazing when someting happens like this, a lot of things we thought were important really don't mean sh!t. You have a great support system though, and I know you'll be alright. Everything happens for a reason and even though you won't understand it at this time, you will someday. Please call or e-mail me if you need to chat. Take care, Matt

Perris is the tunnel if you want to work on your skills in the tunnel and then immediately take them to the sky. Orlando has been in business for six years so they have a jump on us but they don't have a dropzone in their back yard. We haven't even been in business 9 months and yet we've already done what took Olrando three years to do. Orlando will be the foundation of SkyVenture but with all the new tunnels their building around the United States it will bring the cost of tunnel time way down. Orlando sets such high standards that we definitely have something to shoot for. Both tunnels are excellent for freeflying. The Coaches can take you right from the tunnel to the sky. Just decide if you want to skydive or party in florida.

Wouldn't miss it for the world!

Throughout this whole experience I wanted to mention one thing. For some reason I haven't shed one tear. It's because every time I think about Adria I smile. And the happiness and joy she brought to me and the people around her, over powers all the sadness. I haven't been this sad in a long time, but I've never felt so happy as when I think of her. Matt

I agree Lew, every time I got a chance to talk with her I did. Each time she impressed me even more with her talent and kindness. We spoke briefly on saturday about her rountine with her team. She is so proud of her team and how far they have come. I will be visiting her and her family tonight and I pray every day for her and her family.

Hey Barry, I saw this last night and I worked with a lot of their instructors a couple of weeks ago. The Bragg tunnel was being repaired so they had the training in our tunnel. It was interesting to watch and they had a great time. Pretty scary seeing those ruck sacks below their legs though. Potato chip away!

I'm definitely not missing New England weather that's for sure.

I gave up a lot too. But it was and still is all worth it. The people I've met and the skills I've gained will pay off in the future.

Send him out to the tunnel!

Come out to Perris for the Flyboyz Film Festival!

Just ask for me when the tunnel is up an running. We'll cover everything you need to know before your first tunnel flight along with the proper steps of progression to get you flying different positions. Matt Trudeau Flight Instructor Trainee Perris Skyventure

I think the most important thing to worry about is the measurements. I had mine custom measured and made locally at my dropzone. Most of the name brand suits will suit you fine, just get someone with experience to measure your specs.