rjweagl 0 #1 June 20, 2005 On May 24th at Skydive New Mexico Ron Weagley turned 50 years young and made 50 skydives on his birthday! This activity occurred at Alexander airport in Belen, NM where the field elevation is 5200 feet above sea level. The temperature started at 72F and by 2pm was at 95F. The density altitude averaged 7900 where Ron flew six different canopies being packed by 8 differenet members of Skydive New Mexico. He had 3 Cessna 182 airplanes and 5 pilots. He had a "pit crew" that picked up his used parachute rig and assembled him in a new one. There were medical personnel, safety personnel and many observers during the day. His friends made 52 skydives with him. Ron did 9 solo jumps from 3000 feet AGL and had friends jumping with him on the other jumps. Jump #50 was an 8-way cross-country jump. Thus, a total of 102 jumps were made with no safety issues or injuries (no cutaways). Ron made the first 31 jumps in a row before taking a break. There were three 45 minute wind and heat breaks in the afternoon. The winds got up to 29 mph and Ron worked hard to land safely. When Ron landed on his 50th skydive he yelled "WE DID IT!" Two television stations covered the event. It took 12 hours with the weather breaks to complete these jumps. A fellow skydiver CJ Hartwigsen made 13 jumps with Ron and packed 5 of Ron's parachutes! Carey Olson, a pilot, suggested that Ron take oxygen on jump #48 as Ron was about to call it quits. This helped Ron become re-energized. Karen Mascarenas, a skydiver and registered nurse, monitored Ron's vitals all day and made 2 jumps with Ron. His family, co-workers and all of Skydive New Mexico worked together to make this event happen. Ron's quads were sore for a couple of days afterward but he stated that this was the best day he has had as a skydiving family. Ron is an instructor at SDNM and has set a state record for these jumps. The city of Belen honored Ron with a "Ron Weagley Day" of May 24, 2005. Ron's message to people was get out and enjoy life before it is too late. He stated that life is a risk and the biggest risk is waiting to do something and then not being able to do it because it is too late. Ron also stated that he was jumping for those people, like himself, that have endured medical problems and refuse to stop living life and loving every minute they are on this earth. Since the event Ron has been on 2 radio stations outside of NM and in several newspapers around the country. Ron thanks Jim McCormack for the original introduction to the idea. Ron met Jim on his 73rd jump at Eloy when Jim was practicing for the then world record 300-way. Thanks Jim and thanks to SDNM, the city of Belen and Ron's wife Darlene, and children Rich and Kim for helping out on the most special birthday of his life. Ron obtained his instructor rating from Jay Stokes in 2004 - so no wonder Ron was able to perform the 50 jumps. Note Jay Stokes has the world record for the most jumps in a 24 hour period. Congratulations Ron - you are not old just experienced! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #3 June 20, 2005 Quote *** Big suprise there...! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MissBuffDiver 0 #4 June 21, 2005 That's not what you said in your IM the other night Honey.Sandy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rwcat 0 #5 August 3, 2005 Great story. Not to take anything away from it, but back in the early 70's, Mr. Joe Biederbecke (sp?), known as Mr. B, made 65 jumps on his 65th birthday, experiencing a total on something like his 53rd jump...but it didn't stop him. This took place in Midland, North Carolina, which was the Charlotte Skydiver's DZ at the time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
