FLsurfer

I just wanted to thank everybody for the compliments and the critiques. I'm very lucky to be able to even write this after that mal. After cutting away, when I reached with my left hand to try to clear a line from the main that was just behind my right knee, I saw I was going through 1700' and still falling fast in pretty much a head down position. At this point I thought just roll over and pull reserve. I knew I was taking a chance with main/res entanglement but if I had spent more time trying to clear the line, there would have been no time at all for reserve to inflate. As for cutting the line over with a hook knife, I don't think I had enough time at all. The reserve barely wanted to fly and I was lucky to get the main off of me. When I did, you can see me go into a line twist in the opposite direction of the first one. It was all I could do to keep the reserve flying somewhat stable. As for my Spanish at the end of the video, you can tell my adrenaline was really pumping by some of the words I said wrong. Mom, hope we can time it right for you to jump with me on my 1000th. Today is the first day my back feels good enough to jump but it could have been a lot worse. Thanks again everybody and hope to see you all in 11 days at the boogie. Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

Bromo sure is! I didn't know him well as I only talked to him twice when I was goin' thru AFF and then his unfortunate incident happened right before I was done. One of his skydiving and base students did half my AFF's and became my base mentor so I feel almost as if I knew Bromo very well. Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

So many smells bring back a ton of memories, just like music does. My two favorites are the smell of ocean air when I wake up in the morning and night blooming jasmin. Both remind me of growing up as a teenager in San Diego. Some mornings I'll wake up here in Puerto Rico and I get a whiff of the ocean a few blocks away and I have to think for a sec about where I'm at. Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

Sorry to hear about your loss Dustin. One of my grandfathers died when I was 2 and the other one passed away last summer. I miss and think about him everyday. His was the Greatest Generation and he fit right in. I'll never forget him or the countless conversations I had with him. A song that reminds me of him is 'Grandpa' by The Judds. I've never been a big country fan and the men in my family rarely cry, but I get tears every time I hear that song. Cherish the times you had and may your grandfather rest in peace. Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

Well now it's my birthday so now it's my turn to be spanked 34 times by a lil' hottie... anyone?...anyone? Happy late b-day to you man! Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

So am I. The best Spanish food I've had since I was last there in '02 was this past New Years Eve. There's a restaurant on St John called La Tapa and they have it all. I was almost convinced that I was in Spain until I paid the bill and exited the place. Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

I could probably have one of my primas send some Fanta Limón as they love mixing that with Johnny Walker. Never heard of Txacoli but I'll check. Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

Man do I need to visit Spain again and soon. Besides all the lovely ladies I sure miss the Turon, Jamón Serano, Rioja wine, paella done the right way, and all kinds of tapas. Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

Thanks to all that came down! It was great to meet so many new friends and to catch up with ones that I haven't seen in a while. Even though it was a lot of work, I had so much fun that I'm already looking forward to next years boogie. I also want to thank everyone who helped in one way or another, from staff to fun jumpers helping clean up each night and morning. There's too many to list but you know who you are and we really appreciated all the help and it did not go unnoticed. Thanks again and lookin' forward to seeing all of you next year! Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

You got it!!! Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

I did my first one at 174 skydives. When I started skydiving, I never thought I would even do 1 base jump. On the day I completed my AFF, my instructor saw my surfboard in my truck and asked all the typical q's like biggest wave ridden? I tell him all about a trip to Puerto Escondido, Mexico where I swear my sack was shriveled in fear the whole time there. Those triple overhead waves were some beautiful beasts! Then he takes me into his office and shows me his base vids. I immediately ask "I know jump #'s vary by person, but when can I seriously think about getting into BASE?" He tells me to ask again when I have 200. Over the next year and a half I ground crew a few times but never get to see anyone jump due to winds. One day he comes up and asks if I'm ready to do it and we head off for my 1st. Do 2 & 3 two nights later and 4 & 5 a week later. A week after that I ordered my own gear. In hindsight, I feel 174 jumps is too early to start base. I was lucky that my mentor did half off my AFF and that we became good friends. While driving, we spent many hours talkin' 'bout all kinds of scenarios in various activites (motorcyles, skydiving, surfing, etc...) which I think made him aware of my thought process and led him to believe I was ready for base. And of course since I jumped at the dz where he worked, he was very aware of my canopy control and progression. Edited to add that first jump was an A, 800', 3 sec delay, stowed with a MoJo 260 in a Wizard. Very beginner friendly object with usually very little ground winds and wide open lz. Also, the first 5 jumps were not my pack jobs. While waiting for my gear to arrive, I practiced packing on the above mentioned gear every night. I know others disagree about 2 pin containers for beginners but I love mine. I went with a new Warlock and a MoJo 240. Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

I have a feeling that it all begins tomorrow. We're taking Monkey Claw out on one of the Eco-Adventures and who knows what will happen? Lookin' forward to the rest of you gettin' here! Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

More good news for everyone!!! I've just been informed that we will also have high altitudes jumps (21,000') during the boogie. Just 5 days left until some serious fun! Cool ETA you have NSEMN8R! Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

We do not have any flotation gear available. I can let you borrow my cheapo (the orange tube kind) if we are not on the same load for beach jumps. I'm still workin' on hooking you up with a ride. Maybe Skycutie can help us out? Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

Two weeks and counting people! Anyone interested in making beach jumps needs to bring flotation gear and be C licensed or equivalent. Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

Hey Gus, After reading #3, I'm getting a lil' adrenaline rush going. That was a fun night jumping with new friends and I always get a kick out of watching new jumpers with a permagrin plastered on their face as they're welcomed into the world of BASE. I can still remember the yelp you let out as your canopy inflated. I wish the winds were better for you that night. We tried to jump it the next night but the winds were crossing the wire. I use a notebook to log and I use about a page per jump. My buds used to kid me about it, but as the memory goes, the log will always be there. There is one that I must reread about once a month. We were out there jumping during a meteor shower and when I read the log, I swear I can smell the wet grass, feel the wind go from a whisper in my ears to a roar, hear the crack of the canopy, etc... Once again, welcome to base. Have fun and stay safe, Chris Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

There is no camping at the dz. There is a camp ground about 10 minutes north of the dz and it is right on the beach. Limited slots available. Contact Jason (dzo) at [email protected] for reservations. 30 days and counting! Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

More great news! Beach jumps will now be available during the boogie! Only 1 month left 'till the boogie, make your plans now. Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

It's in the Quebradillas area. The dzo's girlfriend pointed it out on our way to check out surf breaks in Rincón, Aguadilla etc... She had mentioned that it was her favorite restaurant so we stopped by on our way back home. I hope the owner had insurance so he can rebuild. I felt sorry for him tryin' to fight the fire with a garden hose 'till the fire dept showed up. Can't wait 'till the boogie. A few other surfers are coming down and are spending some extra time afterwards to go surf on the west side. Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

Yesterday was Three Kings Day so we went out for some sightseeing around the island. At the end of the day we go to a restaurant that someone had suggested, The Hideaway. We had just received our drinks and placed our food order when we noticed smoke bellowing out from the kitchen. Man, I've never seen so many Puerto Ricans move so fast! I feel sorry for the owner but we were joking about how I had ordered the blackened salmon, ...but not that blackened! Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

My mom always gets a kick out of hearing newscasters, announcers, etc... butchering the English language. Irregardless is one of her favs. Something is either in regards to or regardless Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

You've got to be kidding about the SEC being a weak conference. TN, FL, LSU, GA and at least 2 other teams are beating eachother up every year just trying to make it to the conference championship, let alone the nat'l champioship game. The SEC has probably been one of toughest conferences for the last 20 years. That's just my opinion, I could be wrong. Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

Why thank you! Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

0(been stuck at this # too long):6:0 The last jump yesterday was a blast. The dzo and I did some Stiletto CRW. Went into a downplane at 3 grand and held it 'til about 1 grand right over the top of the dz. I love the speed of downplanes! Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.

Here's one of the dz gang in PR after jumping last weekend in Arecibo. We jump there once a month. This was taken just after we got back to the airport after a beach jump. I'm the only gringo lookin' one in the pic. Problems just be opportunities in der workin' clothes.