ianmdrennan (D 25821)
Moderator
Jan 1, 2012, 9:20 PM
Views: 1016
Re: [catfishhunter] Better poll for swoopers
A better attempt at a poll but there are still some serious issues with it.
So, first I'll give my "ER" stories. 2 trips, broken ankle and broken leg. Both at around 5mph WELL AFTER the fast part of the swoop. Neither I would consider "Swoop ER visit".
To the poll: The first part of the problem is that you can't limit what a swoop is. The reality is it is ANYTHING you do to pitch towards the ground (therefore speed) and use that energy low to the ground. I've seen some REALLY bad accidents from minor front riser inputs (totally destroyed ankles) to major impacts involving death, and other major impacts having nothing but a bruised ego.
Anecdotal stuff aside - pushing the envelope, like all things, is largely subjective to time spent practicing and learning (or perspective). For example, if I go and buy a GXS 1000, take it to the track and race it as hard as I can - I'm very likely going to get hurt. Really hurt, or dead. Now, if a Moto GP champ takes the same bike, he'll have far less likely hood of injury or death (Although the possibility always remains) and will also very likely consider the bike "slow" or "easy" by comparison to their competition bike. BOTH riders will likely fall at some time. The difference being that, most of the time, the more experienced rider will identify the situation early, respond in a way that minimizes damage, and likely come away with minimal injury.
This, like all things, can be applied to any "riskier" activity in life - and that includes skydiving.
So to answer your poll: I swoop hard, as hard as I can, and that means I'm pushing my envelope. I do everything I can to have safe training/competition environment, starting before I even get on the plane - it doesn't mean everyone else is doing the same (and it also doesn't mean I can't make a mistake - just ilke anyone else who's died skydiving).
Ian
(This post was edited by ianmdrennan on Jan 1, 2012, 10:00 PM)
Edit Log:
Post edited by ianmdrennan
(Moderator) on Jan 1, 2012, 9:20 PM
Post edited by ianmdrennan
(Moderator) on Jan 1, 2012, 10:00 PM
