hparrish

Simon, Point Taken...................I'll see you Chester, since you are so committed. I will be bumping Jive Jam back to the Raeford Film Festivle Dates though.

Well I have to say that Jive Jam was allot of fun this past weekend. Thanks to Simon for the Balls, and Atmonauti Jumps. Thanks to all who made it out, I had a Blast and hope you did too. I put together a Video from everyones footage. I've uploaded to both DZ.Com and Skydiving Movies.Com, so once they are available I'll post links.

Whit, Your Event "CSS Freefly" is perfect for these "Up and Coming", Freeflyers. Additionally I will be working with some folks (BJ, Matt, etc....), to get them to that next level. But this Post is intended to address those who are already at the Intermediate / Advanced Levels. There are many in the Area who are at this level who just never commit and rarely show. I did come in contact with several this weekend, and it was as simple as I had no contact info for them. So I guess Word of Mouth needs to increase, so that our community can get emails out to more folks. I believe the other issue is lack of self confindence. I think people who are at the Intermediate / Advanced Level may not realize it, or feel rusty. These Folks just need to put that behind them and start forcing themselves to try more challenging skills. The Truely Advanced need to make a decision. Do they only want to be on World Records or do they want consistant quality freeflying. I think allot of these folks have given up. They should either attend events or start organizing themselves. The Main point is that doing nothing, makes little to no sense.

I think I'm going to have to disagree here. I've been watching a couple of teams average in the low 20's in the tunnel already. I'm sure that will not carry over immediately to the sky. But I don't see it too far off. Compared to two years ago where averages were 7-11 points. I'm amazed at how quickly the top VRW Teams have progressed. They are on the heels of RW with regard to points in a skydive. I also believe that to perform at that level in VRW is elite. I also belive it's harder to achieve than in RW, having been on a VRW Team myself, as well as many RW jumps.

Actually I agree with most of what you said and it is pretty much in line with the statement I was making. I just hadn't been back online yet. But even the Advanced Freeflyers aren't stepping up either. They come to an event, have a great time, say they want to come more often and disappear. My events aren't really geared towards beginners. We have so much talent in the area, but no one prioritzes working on Advanced Skills. They just bitch about not having the opportunity to work on advanced skills, then don't show up when the opportunity is given to them. To me it seems folks priorities just aren't with Freeflying anymore. Atlease not in my neck of the woods.

What's up with Freeflying??? I go to sooo many DZ's and folks are always complaining about the same thing. No Good Freeflying anymore. Folks are tired of 2 Ways or solo's. But when folks put something together that is challenging.....No One commits to it and Few show up. Is it lack of confidence, lack of funds, lack of interest, or is the Discipline slowly dying off. I know that $24 Jump Tickets are about at the ceiling of what I'm willing to spend to jump, especialy if nothing interesting is going on. But it's not the ticket prices that make me want to throw in the towel. It's this steady decline in Freefying that makes me want to quit. Is it that the entire sport of skydiving is dying off? Seriously whats the deal?

Next Jive Jam is at Raeford, NC May 24-25th. See you there.

I have a 99 JVX. Thats close to 100. They really will make them to very custom sizes for you.

Apparently I've had the wrong info for 10 years. Apologies for any misinformation.

Yeah I know schedules and Family makes it tough. But try to make it down for one of them this year, We'd love to have more of the Orange Crew, not that Nancy coming aint great. But some more of the crew would be awesome. But more on topic...................The Website and Manual are Great Dan. I know you've been doing allot of good things centered around Freeflying and instruction for several years now. A lot of folks cash it in after a season or two but you have remained dedicated now for years. Keep up the good work, I'll fwd your website to our local up and comers for sure.

You need to hop in the car with Nancy and come down to Jive Jam then. We definatley build 4 Ways and up. Try to make it down to Raford on the 24-25 of May.

What a Hero. He actually flipped on his back in an attempt to save his Tandem Student, once he realized they weren't goin to make it. 10 Years now. Wow.....I guess it did happen when I was a newbee at SkyDance.

I enjoyed it......

Thanks to those who came, I had a great time. Even though turnout was light, it was the first Jive Jam of the season and the season openers have been historically light on turnout. Simon I enjoyed playing with your Balls. Folks are going to take that where the want to regardless of how I word it. So I'll make it easy for them. I'm definately down for a 140, 150, and 160 Ball if you feel like making them. Unfortunately we have little to No footage, due to an overly cautious S&TA not liking some camera helmets. But we managed to pull of some nice freeflying this weekend. Please make sure you have cutaway systems on your camera helmets for future events or bring a spare helmet. I look fwd to next month at Raeford. And hope to see more of you out there.

I wasn't really asking you questions that I don't already have my own answers for........So here's my argument. 1.) When you Bail from a 180 you are doing one of 3 things. Going straight - Which is bad because now you are landing against traffic pattern. 90 Left or 90 Right - Both are bad because now you are cutting off the traffic pattern on either side. If you are in the swooping area folks are going to have to stay in breaks longer for you to finish. Which may not be possible. 2.) So you bail altogher on the 180 prior to setup? If so thats good. 3.) What if they are behind you and initiate their turn to land as well? The most dangerous aspect of a 180 is that behind you is where you are landing. And set up altitude for a 180 is relatively low. So it's not always possible to spot that angle. If you both initiate a turn at the same time.........POW. 4.) Bad question on my part.......assuming you wouldn't bail in congestion. But low time jumpers could follow your pattern and be the ones setting up next. So long as you advertise you are doing 180's it shouldn't be a problem. 5.) I couldn't disagree more.........270's are basically the same final leg as a 90'. Plus your set up altitude (850-750 Feet)gives you plenty of time to look above, below, and to every side. Your altitude also gives you outs during the turn. 360's are basically the same direction you will be landing in. Again setup altitude (1000 to 850 Feet) gives you more of spotting advantages than the 270. 180's on the other hand, have you landing behind your initiation point. Your setup altitude is considerabley lower (500 - 400 feet) and gives you litttl to no time to spot someone who may surprise you. A 180 is the MOST BLIND turn you can make.

Hey Folks, The weather is actually supposed to be decent tomorrow until the late afternoon. And even then, there is only a 30% chance of rain with winds 10-15 mph. Sunday is the same. So Jive Jam is still on, and I’ll be there at 9AM. May be a good idea to get started early just in case. Look for me……..I’ll be the Ugly Fat Guy in the Ugly Yellow Jump Suit with too much confidence and a really shitty attitude bitching and yelling at everyone any time they screw up or miss their slot. That’s a joke for those that don’t really know me, except the Fat Ugly Guy comment. That’s true. A couple folks have asked about lodging……..I’ll have limited space in my camper, there are a couple camper slots that I’m sure Nancy would let someone use for the weekend, there is Tent Camping as well and a CLEAN Shower facility. Here is link to the CSS Page for Hotels. http://carolinaskysports.com/TheDropzone/Lodging/tabid/178/Default.aspx Tunnel Camps I’ll be asking tomorrow, but would like some feedback on email too. What do folks think about Jive Jam Tunnel Camps on Friday Nights before the Raeford Events? I’m in the process of negotiating rates with Paraclete XP. Any Rates I get approved will be exclusively for Jive Jam and I definitely believe in spreading the love and sharing any rates I get. I have lined up Selwyn Facey and Chris Gray (Awesome Tunnel Instructors), to run the tunnel camps. I think the camps will be a great way to fine tune skills necessary for Big Way. And yes even for those that are already great freeflyers…….The Tunnel is invaluable. So PLEASE let me know the interest level in Jive Jam Tunnel Camps. I’d like to get a headcount and Firm Dates worked out. I need at least 4 people per hour, any less is too tiring unless you already have Tunnel Muscles. Harry P

I suggest getting the basics of canopy control mastered before you venture into freestyle canopy piloting. At 375 jumps you have not mastered anything. I don't think you will find anyone who is respected teaching you freestyle manuevers.

how do you bail out of a 180 without screwing others who my be on their final leg????? What if you're too low? Do you just land down wind in an opposing direction to others landing? What if someone else spiraled down and is on level with you before you initiate? What if a student see's you flying at them and it isn't obvious to them that you plan on snapping a quick 180 before you collide, and they dive into the ground because they don't know how to handle that situation? 180's are Blind, go against most patterns, and leave you committed, with little outs most of the time. I think they are a bad idea at most DZ's. Bad in the Main landing area and definately bad in the Swooping Lane where others are doing 270's and 360's

4 Days can't wait.......

will@paracletexp.com, Derek@ParacleteXP.com, Mick@ParacleteXP.com, or HybridTail@mac.com

We'll see about the balls..............Paul Fayard might be okay with them so long as Jon Randolph is around. Or atleast someone he trusts won't lose one.....We can get out over the Tree's / Swamp.

I've got a 25` Tube for some jumps. If anyone else has a tube bring it........We can have pylon races.

Check with James at Chester, I believe Fast Trax will be there in June. Also Check with John Lyman at CSS. I believe he is working on getting Brian Germain to CSS sometime soon.

I agree with him.........I owned both a Vengeance 120 and a Samurai 120, put about 200 on the Vengeance and 400 on the Samurai. I thought the Samurai was a MUCH Better canopy, in just about every aspect.

Who has some growing up to do??? This entire response is incredibly immature. Are you really saying that if this guy doesn't like someone then they are not a good person. WOW....