SkymonkeyONE

Red Bull is OK, but it can wig you out pretty bad if that is all you drink all day (like we do at swoop meets when it's free and the water has run out). Sweating your ass off in the 100 degree sun out in the middle of Perris DZ with no real shade is no time to pound 8 cans of Go Fast between rounds. Shit, I thought I was going to pass out under canopy I was wigging so bad! Nice! Actually, my favorite of all the "energy" drinks is Go Fast. Not because they sponsor Jim and the boys, but because it just tastes best out of them all in my opinion. Believe me when I say I have had them all. Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

I am pretty tied up at the moment, but still have the letter from Bernice saved on my computer at home somewhere. I will try and dig it up. My dad and the rest of the Alabama Gang will be there early, but have their own very-active scene going on, so I don't need to get him involved. That being said, someone else should take point since I am going to be tied up with work matters early on. Chuck Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

The first three references are directly to me, whether by my "real" name or nickname. Hmm. Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

You must make sure you have a smooth running style before you go buying high-performance running shoes. Quick turns in HP shoes can lead to serious injury, as they are made only for straight-line performance. Yes, I hear the Triathalon is a good all-around training shoe. Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

You got some good shots there, Josh. Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

I got a call from Jari Kuosma last night. He is driving to Orange, VA this weekend to flock/organize/instruct. Anyone BirdMen in the area ought not miss the opportunity to jump with him. Plus, people like to get naked at Orange on a regular basis. Chuck Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

Last year, the couch freaks were set up right out in the middle of the inactive runway; RV and all. It was a good place. Looking at the way the WFFC is to be laid out this year, though, the camping and RV's are all fairly far away from dropzone row. THAT is the main reason I recommended renting one of the big tents right up in the action. It's use would be more as a "hangout" and staging area than anything else. Chuck Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

Whit, I am assuming you are talking about Andy McCormack. Didn't he haul ass back over the pond? chuck Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

Well, there is no simple answer to your question, and that is for a number of reasons. First, every dropzone charges different prices for the basic first jump course and the cost of individual training jumps. Second, even though it is highly recommended (at least in the USPA here in the USA), dropzones are not yet required to follow the new Integrated Student Program, better known as the "ISP." If a dropzone follows the new ISP, then a student is definitely going to pay more to get that A-license. Every phase of the training is more detailed than under the "old" systems, and a jumper is required to jump with either an Instructor or Coach rated individual for the great majority of those 20 skydives neccessary to obtain the license. That being the case, Static- Line based courses and AFF-based courses end up taking nearly the exact same amount of time to complete and end up costing almost the same, at least if you were to pay for the training through the same vendor. The days of "seven jump AFF wonders" and $400 complete SL courses are over; at least on ISP-based dropzones like Raeford. Skydiving is an expensive sport, period. Chuck Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

What exactly are you calling "CFT" training? Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

UPDATE: the message I got was actually from Bernice. Go to the WFFC website and see if it has the pricing. Seems like it was like $250 for the entire time, but I may be way off base. Chuck Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

Negative. There is not currently a crossbraced tandem main. An interesting rumor, though, was one I heard last year at the pond swoop nationals. It was said that two people had asked Icarus to build a VX 220 (it was either 200, 220, or 240, I forget.) so they could swoop it in the meet in a tandem rig. I was standing right there when they were talking about it, but it would have been strictly prohibited by the current rules. The rules, of course, changed two years ago when the guy landed a slalom ski, didn't cut away in time, and piled into the crowd. Unless I am mistaken, it was Tim Bernard. Still, a tiny tandem main with two balsy swoopers would make for some killer video. Chuck Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

Unless things have changed, you can enter the intermediate competition with as little as 250 skydives. Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

This gives me memories of the laser table in the old movie "Logan's Run". Anyone else here old enough to remember seeing that at the movie theater? Chuck Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

This is not the talkback forum. Please keep the mindless chatter over there. This thread concerns swooping who/what/when/where/whys. Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

"I really needed to wash this jumpsuit anyway". Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

No, John, you are the man. I am the Monkey. You, as a big guy, have it much easier than I do at the end of the day. Actually, I don't bitch too much, so you must be getting soft. I am going to have to report you to Kris. Chuck Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

T, the simple answer is that nobody with any sense toggle whips parachutes nowadays; it's inefficient and generally more dangerous than the front-riser options. There is a whole series of threads in this swoop forum on riser carving (and snapping, if that's your bag). I can promise you that you will see a marked improvement in your swoop distance using riser dives from a higher altitude. Chuck Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

The intermediate course has taller entrance blades, is slightly wider, and does not carve. The Pro course has slightly shorter entrance blades, is narrower, and carves left or right. You are timed from when you pass cleanly through the entrance blades until you fly or kite your main out the back. Chuck Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

I posted nearly six months ago that we should go together for one of the tents on dropzone row. The cost is not prohibitive and we could possibly set up a paypal account to pitch in to. Beth at the WFFC staff sent me the info quite a while ago asking if we were still going to do it. I, personally, think it's a good idea, but I am not going to be able to be there the whole time, so I would not be a good choice as "go to" man. Chuck Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

In the pond, eh? Lovely. That only matters when you have to be packed up in ten minutes to get on the plane for the next round. Barring that, it's a good reason to lay your main out and have a few cocktails. Feel the love, my brother. Chuck Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

That, my man, was an "ass skipper" if I ever saw one. Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

Additional info for anyone contemplating competing: Last year we ran two events: intermediate speed and pro speed. We ran three rounds total. The meet was ran on the last Saturday of the WFFC, but the pond was open, and mostly swoopable, for the duration of the event. Reggie Eastaugh charged a $30 dollar fee for "swooping priveledges" during the meet. Not unreasonable considering it costs $18 bucks to replace a Black Widow pole at K-mart, but very few attendants actually paid the money, thus pissing off quite a few paid registrants. Use of the pond is free to convention participants this year; at least that is what the WFFC website says. This is a great place to show off and hone your skills. The pond is shallow enough that you can easily get up and keep your gear dry if you pile in, but deep enough that it breaks your fall. I only saw one serious pond incident last year (he hit the near bank very hard), but there are people right there all the time. Come on out and have a good time. Also, if you want to make sure you get in the video, plan something special. The Icarus guys are always very organized in that respect and, thusly, get a lot of airtime. PM me for ideas. The "end of day" swooping is always very fun. Last year, the boundary limits of the pond were always completely lined with golf carts and spectators. If you have got game, it will get recognized. If you pile in, it will get even more recognized. Look for my Atair airblades in either the RV or camping area and we will throw down together. Also, feel free to ask me for free coaching. Chuck Blue Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

Agreed. Dave Singer does a good job. Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE

Which Eric are yall talking about? Butts? Are you a Monkey or a Flunky? HERE