Brianne Thompson and Niklas Daniel of AXIS Flight School arrived with the Skydive Arizona otter in MOAB to help organize during the 8th annual Mother Of All Boogies. Over the course of four days, jumpers from all over flocked to the beautiful dropzone to enjoy the great scenery, friendly people, and make some awesome jumps. We had an awesome time jumping and organizing at this boogie and would like to thank everyone who attended!
In addition, AXIS was able to take part in some of the off-site jumps, such as MOAB Airpark and Castle Valley in order to take pictures. Please visit Nik's Blog to view more images.
And for all you freeflyers out there, here is some GoPro footage from an interesting jump we did with some tunnel instructors from SVCO (Skyventure Colorado).
AXIS would like to thank Skydive Moab for hosting this great event, and is looking forward to attening next year!
For all you four way enthusiast out there, here's some footage of Arizona Airspeed ripping through the points at this years Valentines meet at Skydive Arizona. Enjoy, if your eyes can keep up...
Set back in 1978, the previous record was a 20-way. It may not sound like much, however, when you consider the fact that several of the ladies had less than 300 jumps, and a large number have never done anything bigger than a 4 way- 27 seems quiet impressive. Eliana Rodriguez (Arizona Airspeed), Sara Curtis (Arizona Arsenal) and Brianne Thompson (AXIS Flight School/ AZTC) organized the Women’s Arizona State Record.
It was such a fun record because of the varying levels of experience. Besides the organizers, there were seasoned big-way jumpers and even a few Women’s Headdown Record holders! It was a great mix of belly flyers and freefliers that made this record attempt happen. It was only going to be a 22 way. After a practice day of successful 15-way skydives, the organizers thought they would have to scramble to fill all the slots. But when registration was over on day 2, it turned out to be a 27-way! Bring it!
Day 2
Jump 1: This first attempt was so close. The closing grip happened as the first person began to track off. It was so close to building; everyone figured the champagne would pour by the next jump.
Jump 2: The ladies had slight fall rate issues. The types of issues that happen when the participants want something so badly, that they try to do dramatic changes in order to make the formation work. At around seven thousand feet, there was a slight funnel from just outside the base.
Jump 3: The jumpers refused to have their confidence or their spirits dampened. While taxiing, the ladies in the lead Skyvan performed their own rendition of “We Will Rock You” and the ever-popular crowd-pleasing Wave. This time, most of the formation built, but unfortunately, some of the divers just simply failed to put the breaks on soon enough and went a little low- unable to get back in the formation before break off.
Jump 4: Using minor slot changes on the outside of the formation, the formation went up for jump 4. The last attempt at the record- the sunset load, so to speak. The formation exited and it didn’t just build- they owned that formation! The 27 way held for 15 seconds before break off. Even in the air, all the women knew the record was built! Smiles could be seen across the entire formation, as the women knew they set a new state record!
After the judging to make sure it was official, the women came together to watch their jump on the big screen, where shortly after, the Champagne was popped and the celebration began. But, what made it so awesome were the attitudes and the mix of experience levels and disciplines. This record happened because of the teamwork and enthusiasm from the all of the participants.
Congratulations to all the awesome ladies that contributed to the new Arizona State Record! Let’s try to shatter it again next year!
Well, all in all yesterday went well. Once Kevin started his jumps the weather stayed nice for the rest of the day/night. His plan was to start at 4am, so all of his volunteers and him were up early just waiting for the weather to clear up. Due to the late start (11am) there was a late finish (10-10:30pm. Kevin was feeling good but after such a long day he made a decision based on safety. He picked 150 as the target for the day and finished strong. The staff of volunteers was amazing so 200 jumps was a very realistic goal.
I am sure all of you are curious who won the PD canopy. Kevin sold 100 "chance tickets" for $100, winner gets a PD canopy of choice. A local jumper in that area by the name of Brian won the canopy. I guess Brian has been a huge supporter of the cause so it's great he won. Congratulations Brian!
The late night and weak internet is the cause for such a late update, sorry for any of you that were waiting to hear how things ended.
Congratulations Kevin on 150 jumps and for reaching your goal of donating over $60,000.
Recently, Sept. 11-14, Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld, Kate Cooper-Jensen, Tony Domenico and Larry Henderson led a large group of jumpers through a four day camp structured to enhance and improve to big way skills. Participants learned and applied the techniques of diving, floating and base work in this 4 day 18 jump camp.
Campers received training on exit techniques from both right and left trail aircraft, tracking tips, canopy control in large groups, and just about anything else they might have had questions on when it came to 100+ formations. The proven model that the organizers used allowed smaller formations, 20 - 40 ways, to duplicate all the jobs, visuals, and responsibilities of a 100+ way formation. It was a "no fault" approach to teaching where campers were encouraged to push their limits while learning.
Any person aspiring to hold a world record in large formation skydiving, who would like to be on their first 100 way, or who already has experienced the above but wants to brush up on their skills should attend this camp. Quite a few camp participants are repeat attendees--even current World Record Holders attend--as they find new ways to challenge themselves and learn each time they join the camp.
The following week, Sept. 18-21, the same set of organizers hosted an event giving participants an opportunity to be a part of two groups, one 100-way and one 60-way. This event was an opportunity for past big-way camp participants to show off their skills. And, show off their skills they did, with a number of completions.
Team Roostertail hosted a couple of canopy control courses in Denmark - one in April and another one in May. This team is made up of 3 energetic and fun loving Danish guys: Peter Kallehave, Kim Hermansen and Carsten Sejer as the founding members. Another partner of theirs is Bo Wienberg from Danish wingsuit team Skyswoopers. These guys are on a mission to bring the level of canopy flight in Denmark up and are very happy to give advice and training to canopy pilots of all levels. The picture was taken at their skills camp - a beautiful sunset on a Danish summernight, a gorgeous PD winblade and a bunch of Danishes, mmm :)
It's the second time that PD has a Demo Tour Stop in Fano, Italy. First time was in 2007, and this year was as good as before. Fano is the home DZ of It's like a big family entertaining themselves with many different activities. Have a look to their website.
Italians are very friendly, and always happy to have the opportunity to try new canopies. Sometimes they are a little bit too "hungry" and you have to slow down their enthusiasm because they are not affraid afraid (thanks Kolla for the right spelling!) of trying a demo they might not be ready yet to handle the safiest way. It makes your day a bit more "spicy" than usual !
Livio, our dealer from Sinapsi, was help a lot, translating and explaining why you should or shouldn't jump this or that canopy; and sometimes, he just let his arms down, looked at me with a "don't be that much suprised" look, and say: "Italian Style !". But we all had a very good time. And the weather was with us. Shining sun, caressing wind, quenching beer.
Beside his canopy course, Livio was also coaching a RW 4way, Team NEXT. Even if he was very busy on the ground, Livio managed to put himself on a few lift to do some hop'n'pop, and practiced his downwind landings for the next I.S.T. competition.
The UK High Extreme Aerobatic Team, HEAT, have been chasing the bad weather and have just returned from a training camp in Germany consolidating their last camp held in DeLand with coach Jay Moledzki. The camp was held at Bad Lippspringe which is also the site of the UK Nationals later this year. Despite the poor weather jumps were still made on the IPC standard pond. The dropzone recently extended the Classic Accuracy pit out to the end of the pond to help provide a gentle landing for the more aggressive zone accuracy approaches.
Today, Saturday January 12th, is the British Parachute Association Annual General Meeting. While that sounds like a bit of a bore it’s actually the largest skydiving party in UK for the year. Skydivers travel from all over to be there. Of course there’s an opening address from the current Chairman of our Association, setting the subscriptions for next year and other political issues, but that’s all first thing in the morning. The rest of the day has trade fares from skydiving vendors, an afternoon of seminars from key people in the sport covering a whole range of topical information and of course a big party. Drinking starts in the morning and there are many merry skydivers putting the world to rights. The dinner in the evening is also well attended and many are still found at the bar as breakfast starts the next day. So if you’re ever in UK in January then look us up…..
Beside his canopy course, Livio was also coaching a RW 4way, 
