Shark

Yeah, don't look at the light!

Congratulations! Welcome to the club!

Bummer. Always seems like these Cinco de Mayo weekends always have a lot of injuries occurring. We even had one yesterday at Elsinore. And yes, the landing police were out in force. And it was a good thing. We hosted groups from all over the country, with most of them first timers at Elsinore. The early loads did not have much wind and the landing area was a zoo. Apparently, nobody paid attention to the landing patterns set and posted by the staff. It "straightend" out later, but it didn't prevent a later mishap. A jumper made a low turn, possibly to avoid traffic. I was packing at the time and didn't see it, but I did HEAR it. He did take a ride in the ambulance conscious, but at last word he had some injuries requiring surgery, but should be okay. As many of you may already know, there was a fatality at last years Cinco de Mayo boogie. May be safety goes out the window when everyone is trying to get in as many jumps as they can get during the weekend. Then they become complacent, etc. Did I get my $150 worth this weekend? Well, I only got 6 jumps in and one of those comped by the school. None on Sunday as my car was acting up again. Haven't spoken to anybody about today's events as of yet, so I can only hope all went well.

Yeah!

Uhh, Navy beat Army, too....

Because of the chicks!

No. Just the Spectre. 600-800 feet typically. I've got over 25 jumps on my new one and it used to open up "quicker" when I first got it. It may be because it was new; ie. less porous. Yours may not be completely "broken in." Who knows. Prior to this one, I put 250+ jumps on another new Spectre. Same thing if I can remember correctly. How do you pack it? I leave the center cell exposed and fold in the ends towards the center. I also roll the shit out of the tail. Typically 8 twists. This definitely slows the openings. But they are consistent and predictable. I wish I could have said the same for the Sabre2.

25 minutes too long........

Actually she's at Elsinore and it's a 10 way team... and you spelled her name correctly.

Hi Sunshine, Congrats! I put around 20 jumps on a Sabre2 170 before my Spectre arrived a month ago. It is a very good handling canopy and lands/swoops really well. In fact, it lands "bigger" than it really is. What I mean is that it flares and glides like something larger. The 150 loaded at 1.3 was much better for me overall, with only a few jumps to test it out. The only thing I didn't like was the inconsistent openings. Almost half of my openings had closed end cells on one or both sides. On one event I thought the brake came loose as I opened in a hard turn. I stopped it with opposite rear riser before checking and releasing the brakes. After a few challenging openings, I contacted PD and John LeBlanc. He mentioned that it may be due to my packing technique. I packed it like a pack my Spectre leaving the center cell hanging and folding the outer cells in. He told me to leave the nose hanging without pushing it in. From then on it worked great! An occaissional 180 off heading at times, but for the most part very nice. By the time I got it down, it was time to return my demo to PD. Then my Spectre arrived the next weekend. Anyways, you will have a blast with your new love!! Come on down to SoCal and 'Snore.

It's true!!!

Skydive Elsinore is lowering their prices!!! Starting in May, jump tickets at Skydive Elsinore will only be $16.00 each, with every 11th jump free. There will also be a drawing at the end of the month, where those have made 10 jumps or more will be able to enter for a free weekend of jumping. Contact the DZ for details. Is it rumor or truth?! Hmmmmmm...

Gale, Yes, and yes. I grew up near the beach and surfed before skydiving. You see much of the same types of couples/relationships there as well. All guys want the "newest" model, so to speak. And the dropzone is no different. Only better because all the hotties can participate in the sport rather than hanging out on the beach as useless eyecandy.

I've never jumped one, but Bryan Harrell on Team Cobalt jumps a Comp 85 or so. I've seen him on a hop n pop dive out towards the tail, do a a front loop and pull when belly to earth. It's pretty cool. No line twists that I noticed. Send SkymonkeyOne an email. He jumps for them.

I guess a lot of it depends on you and your instructor. Judging by your profile, you should not have many difficulties. I started on my 32nd jump, doing the usual base/pin drills. A 3 stack, then a couple of downplanes. Later came a 10 stack that broke up into different sizes after we held if for a while. Haven't docked 8th or later yet, nor done a tri-by-side or dragplane. What ever you end up doing, you will have a blast.

dude, i guess you guys smoke the good shit up in NoCal....

wow. has it been that long? welcome back to the sky! think it's time you bought some beer now! actually, you should by Michele and albatross a beer since they hugh out with you after your "last" skydive in '01.

whoa, nice pic. shoulda got one of the monster size ones...

That's okay, neither was I.

I'll be there, but for 4 way. I going to 4nicate.

A McDonnell Douglas A-4F. The Super Fox can go for around $200M-250M. Clean it has a thrust-to-weight ration greater than 1.

is this a trick question??

The 300 pound gorilla also has a FAT wallet. Just think of when he won't open it up or share his jump tickets. When he shares or offers, everyone loves him....

Hey guys/girls, Congratulations! Is that a DZ.com record? And is it your FIRST 4 stack?! Shark CCR-2113 (no ccs yet. not enough people at 'snore.

There will be a memorial service for Harry at 10AM, 13 April at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado.