skykittykat 0 #1 December 30, 2004 I was speaking to Mike McGowan yesterday and he told me that Dave Verner (Kirk's father) was his icon of the sport when he first started out. That gave me food for thought as one of my icon's/mentors is Dave's son! Train of thought..... the year is coming to a close and I thought back over the past 4 years and who were my all time heroes/icons/mentors and here they are: Kirk Verner Neal Houston Paul "Apples" Applegate Si Powell Steve Scott Kiwi Brandon Who are your heroes/icons/mentors? Liz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Avion 0 #2 December 30, 2004 I have the people whose skill I admire, I wish they be my mentors. Pete Allum and Dennis Rooke are my most admired skydivers. They have a very smooth relaxed Mantis style that I doubt I will ever be able to match due to my bone structure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #3 December 30, 2004 Heros: Bob Buquor The Arvin Good Guys Rick Whitlock Scotty Carbone Mentors: Rick Whitlock Max Sidner Joe Bennet Gary ShafferMy reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kenneth21441 0 #4 December 30, 2004 Heros: Bob Sinclair, for what he has done and the stories that he has to tell about what he has done. All around a great guy. Mentors: Peat Moorcon, my instructor those many years ago at Bragg. and Jay Stokes, for his relaxed instruction. I must add him as one of my heros for the fact that he had broken several records that not only show that anything is possible. Just my two cents here.Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stratostar 5 #5 December 30, 2004 Jerry Bird Carl Boenish Bob Sinclair Randy Deluca Garth Taggert Col. Joseph Kittenger Lew Sanborn Bob Buquor Roger Nelson Jim "Whitey" Whiting Smitty the jumper Steve Stewart & family Byron Black & sons Clarence Lopez "Claw" Clawson Roger "ottis" Humphery Ray Cottingham Jerry Borkwin (sp) Shorty Janoshack (sp) Norman Kent Bill Cole Bill Booth Scotty Carbone John Sherman Jennie Mcacombs Tiny Broadwick In no special order, but to name a few. Some you have heard of, others you have not. Each have touch the lives of many and in their own way made the sport what it is today, some are still at it, some have gone to the other side. There are many others whos name would belong here, but it's not a history lesson, just some of my heros ect.... `you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D22369 0 #6 December 30, 2004 my all time heroes/icons/mentors *** Leonard Kunz, owner of skydive Yakima, in washington state - who gave me the basis for all the skills I have developed. Larry Warner - Bob Hannigan, co-owners of Richland skysports in Washington state, for giving me enough leash to learn to swoop in spite of the "no hook turn sign" Jan Davis - former videographer at Lodi California for all the IM's we shared when I had endless questions about freefall videography when I was just starting to shoot tandems. There is one more, but the rat-bastard reads these forums and I wouldnt want it to go to his head. RoyThey say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #7 December 30, 2004 QuoteSteve Scott Really? Wow! I'll have to tell him he's got a groupie next weekend! ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 558 #8 December 30, 2004 Bob Sinclair Lloyd Kallio BJ Worth Randy Deluca (may he rest in peace) Ray Cottingham Luke Lucas Dave Martin Rob Laidlaw Herman Landsman Scott Christensen Domina Jalbert Steve Snyder Gary Douris Bill Booth Sandy Reid John Sherman Troy Loney (may he rest in peace) Ann Helliwell Vite Visvesser TK Donle Charles van Surry Carl Boenish Tom Classon Milt Burton Don Balch Bob Celaya Judy Celaya Ian Flanagan Dan Poynter Ted Strong Manley Butler Stefan Etler Jamie Woodward Luc de Garadin Loic When I grow up, I want to be just like those guys, only without the scars, drug problems, debts, ex-wifes, etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2cmyzx 0 #9 December 30, 2004 Scratch Garrison Amazon Fred Sand Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #10 December 30, 2004 QuoteScratch Garrison Yes, he has done so much for this sport and contuines to give back. Mentors: Kate Cooper Jan Meyer Barb DukeMay your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Airman1270 0 #11 December 30, 2004 A few come to mind, with Bob Raeke topping the list. He taught me the first jump course, JM'ed me on a bunch of my milestone student jumps over the skies of Duanesburg, NY, and signed me off instruction. He exhibited the perfect mix of no-nonsense attention to safety spiced up by his playful conviction that jumping out of airplanes is fun. Too bad I never got to jump with him after graduating. Damn shame. Several Georgia jumpers also deserve to make the list, including Collis Griffin, Perry Thibadeau, & Sandor Vali. And while I've never met Scotty Carbone, I've heard enough stories to know I'd enjoy sharing the DZ with him. Cheers, Jon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skypuppy 1 #12 December 30, 2004 [ And while I've never met Scotty Carbone, I've heard enough stories to know I'd enjoy sharing the DZ with him. Just hide your girlfriend...If some old guy can do it then obviously it can't be very extreme. Otherwise he'd already be dead. Bruce McConkey 'I thought we were gonna die, and I couldn't think of anyone Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dzkid39 0 #13 December 30, 2004 My mom and my dad. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stratostar 5 #14 December 30, 2004 Not now tammy would kick his ass. But back in the day.... `you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GARYC24 3 #15 December 30, 2004 Larry Yohn (my 1st jump S/L jumpmaster) John Brasher (my 1st freefall jumpmaster) Jeff Jones (graduated me from AFF) Jim Wallace (instructor while student) Art Paton (instructor while student) BEAR (fun loads and info) Jerry Bird ( few jumps with him 1991 WFFC & Elsinore)BoB Celaya (help get me SLJumpmaster rating,yrs ago) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #16 December 30, 2004 Dan O'Brien Ray Ferrell Kate Cooper Tony Domenico Mark Tetrault Hookitt Eric Lee Mike Robbinson just to name a few... BASE: Tom Aiello---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jceman 1 #17 December 30, 2004 Heroes: Rob Harris JC Dave Brown Kaz Sheeky Norman Kent Pete Allum Dana Bowman Mentors: Rocky Evans Jim Captain Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money. Why do they call it "Tourist Season" if we can't shoot them? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeyRamone 0 #18 December 30, 2004 Roger Nelson, RIP, Rook and Missy Nelson, Dave Cincerrelli, RABBITT, Chris Bagwell.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Levin 0 #19 December 31, 2004 mentors; Steve Boyd - my instructor when I started jumping David Armstrong - swooping, taught me to swoop and critiqued all of landings between 300 - 600 jumps. Catfish - currently my CRW & BASE mentor Heros: Trent Alkek, Jed Lloyd and Stevie Boyd of Spaceland Anomaly - These guys when <1000 jumps each put a team together and in 3 years time won a gold in intermediate and 2 silvers in open. They set a world record for the speed round in 2003 and competed in the World Meet in 2004. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakflyer9999 1 #20 December 31, 2004 Jerry Schrimsher Dana Bowman Rob Harris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,384 #21 December 31, 2004 Carlos Gene Godfrog"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoShitThereIWas 0 #22 December 31, 2004 Bob & Judy Celaya Nick Gough Rob Harris Greg Nardi Sammy Thistle Glenn Sugden Johnny Luv Jess Rodriguez Steve Rafferty Laura Mullen Roger Nelson LoudTom Startz Nanette Studebaker Clarence Lopez Kelly Hinson Scott Cowan Barry Holubeck Rob Walsh Larry Miyasaka Kevin Duke Mark Lacy and of course ... The FLYING ELVIRoy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #23 December 31, 2004 QuoteI was speaking to Mike McGowan yesterday and he told me that Dave Verner (Kirk's father) was his icon of the sport when he first started out. Quote Dave Verner is definitely one of mine! I worked his DZ all through college, slept in his house and ate his food... Nicest guy you could ever meet! I was hoping he would stop by here (Houston) this week... on his way to California. I learned a lot from Mike McGowan while working with him years ago...he was shooting a promo tape for our demo team. He has a wonderful way of teaching you things without you knowing you're being taught! A true professional and gentlemen... ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ccowden 0 #24 December 31, 2004 Most people know who my heros are. (see pic) I don't know if "heros" is the right word exactly, but they are definitely my inspiration. Jen, Amy and Missy changed my view on the sport forever and I look up to them and admire them for both their talents and who they are as people. And neither "hero" or "mentor" is a big enough word for Tommy. He was and continues to be a hero, mentor, inspiration and so much more to me everyday. But ALL of my friends are my heros in some way. You all fill my life with so much and inspire me daily. Thank you all! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sheenster303 0 #25 December 31, 2004 I'm still a newbie, but I would definitely have to say Scotty and Tami Carbone.I'm so funny I crack my head open! P.M.S. #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
