wan2doit

Injury pretty well all better - trouble now remembering which shoulder was in pain. Currency is an important word in skydiving and tunnel flying. In this context it means the longer between flight sessions causes loss of some skills one has learned. I had a 2 month break in flying once but it didn't cause any major problem. I flew 30 min per month for my 1st 3 years but always wished I could go weekly but the tunnel was 220 miles away. Then iFLY Lauderdale was built within 20 miles of me and I figured I'd go weekly but the price almost doubled which slowed me way down. After shoulder injury I was out 6 months - maybe due to age maybe not - went back in for 4 1/2 min and knew I was way out of practice - very big Currency problems that will take quite a bit of time to get back. It's hard to learn much IMO in 10 minutes - I mean you're just getting into it and you are done for the week. Maybe try 30 or 40 minutes each one month to learn more during the session (e.g. back flying) then the next month or two go flying weekly to perfect what U learned during the longer session + belly fly to maintain that skill - then repeat as fits your needs. Some advise on back fly - keep your head bent way back from the start of training no matter how weird and scary it feels - learning how to view the tunnel upside down is important for navigating when on your back, try to maintain some back arch when on back since it will make flight easier - main thing is to do exactly what the coach shows you and consider private coach sessions for back flying. Good Luck

Only 13 hours of tunnel time (level 2 although not current due to injury) but I'll try to help. Belly and Back flying are 2 Different worlds. IMHO both of you could start back flying easily anytime considering you both have an hour in tunnel. Back flying took me much more time to get comfortable with than belly BUT back flying is a critical skill as ones begins more difficult skills since when one gets out of control - going to back is the main safe escape route.

I watched today around 9 am est and the stream was better for me with just a bit of stop and go. Thanks for the reply.

Was trying to watch this event happening in Bahrain at Gravity Tunnel today. Link to event http://wcis2018.com/livestream/ On my pc it was very choppy cutting in for maybe 10 seconds then out for 10 or 15. Eventually - didn't want to - but - gave up watching it. Has anyone else experienced this situation viewing the livestream from Gravity?

Couldn't resist 00:16 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FXSnoy71Q4 another 01:21 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p00nBSNIPwg full length - 29:22 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOxUj--nJro

Yep - and everyone is guilty. Now there's some kindling for a fire - Right?

I noticed your knees were somewhat close together most of the time when trying to get lift from the floor when back flying. I always was told to think of a flower opening (simultaneously spreading my arms and knees apart until I'm as high as I want to be when ascending from the floor and at the same time keeping from my knee to ankle horizontal so fwd or rev drive isn't unintentionally created. Easier to say than do - I'm still very far from perfect. Coaches told me the lift while back flying is generated by the outside of one's thighs as they are opened wider, the arch of the back and laying the head back as far as possible (noticed your head up so you could see around). Personally I try to look at least straight up so I can know where I am in the tunnel by watching the top of the tunnel. Have seen coaches lay their head back to the point their visor is facing the wall using that as a position guide. Back flying proficiently takes a good amount of time IMHO - more than we would ever want to admit. $$$ ;) But so much fun when it all clicks.

Belly to back isn't a matter of arm or shoulder strength - cupping the chest/shoulders to catch the air is what I believe provides the lift to rotate onto your back. Kind of like de-arching to ascend up in the tunnel. Also keep legs bent as you approach back fly position as straightening them will cause over rotating EVERY time - guaranteed. ;) Here's an IBA vid that might help - https://tunnelflight.com/skills/back-flying/belly-to-back-back-flip Check closely with the coach on this as I am a relative beginner also and still have problems/injury with belly to back transition. IMHO your progression is phenomenal compared to mine - Congratulations. OBTW U can make your video links "live" by clicking the "url" button below this window at the beginning and end of your link as U install it. (e.g. https://youtu.be/v_O0X0aQv-I That way one can get right to it by cliking the link on your post.

Knee and Elbow pads - https://g-form.com/teal-flash-sale?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=64578843&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_d2fLaUHbISU1lyfOQRbaARSwft91oMfm3sD5CmshKu_UcWXtqkkWrpA5m90iFwGXk5sSg4RlwtNWr7e2QAllzswRlWA&_hsmi=64625211

Second as being very well written - so well I feel I've been there and don't need to go now - No; just kidding.

bolt action pistol https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remington_XP-100

HaHa never heard of Taken until your post and then googling it - Thanks I may have to watch it now - looks interesting.

True - secret service has protected our leaders and others they are assigned to very well since they were formed in 1902 after the 3rd president William McKinley was killed. JFK was the secret service's 1st failure - I was teen and ventured into politics for the 1st time to support him back then but don't have any recollection of the angst, hatred and ridicule of JFK like what is happening with Trump (IMO off the charts) thus my thought that people concede he has a modicum (possibly large) of courage.

Like Trump or not one might concede that he is pretty brave to travel anywhere much less across any of Earth's large ponds considering the level of animosity towards him and the levels of gun violence worldwide.

Folks desiring of access including traditional Off Road Vehicle access to federal public lands for hunting and fishing or whatever - the type that cannot or do not want to hire big buck guides - have been being methodically prohibited by the federal Interior agencies via rule making, litigation, environmental advocacy PR etc. and for myriad other reasons unacceptable to them (for sure system rigged in favor of environmental attorneys) therefore IMHO hundreds of thousands if not millions of them love Trump and what is happening now whether they personally benefit or not. Just a guess but I do have some experience in that arena. May want to give up the endeavor hook. ;) Nice try though.

Everything the nation produces - all goods and services (e.g. cars, toys, medical equipment, services of all kinds, jump tickets sold parachutes sold and resold as used, tunnel hours etc. etc.)

Very frightening words indeed BIGUN " when Bush identified the opportunity to build a "New World Order." - I heard Bush say them and was worried even not knowing what they would involve. We the People all should have been more worried IMHO.

Great article - not sure I totally get it but will try the process. Kind of aligns with my oversimplified analogy of muscle memory being sort of like alzheimers disease in reverse. Instead of circuits separating and causing loss of memory they need to be wired for the first time so maintain what physical skills we learn. Thanks

Gabe, did your program align or coordinate with iFLY's "All Abilities Night" ? Did U just buy discounted time and fund your guests or did they pay you some of it back somehow? Seems like at some point - if free to guests - your program might have eaten into available flight time for 1st time flyers time that I have heard is iFLY's bread and butter. What you were doing was great but it seems like rapid expansion could have inevitably run into tough challenges. Would love to know more but can understand if that's a problem too.

Sounds like a decision needs to be made whether to look good or be pain free. Seems like black outside on white sleeves might look OK. Taping them which I need to do to secure them might be iffie for looks but IMHO it is worth it to keep them in right position. After some use or due to wild movements in the tunnel the elastic loosens or moves a little (at least on me) and I believe it is important to keep the pad exactly centered on the joint to realize full benefit of the pads. Attached video shows yellow g-forms in use on first competitor at around 3-55 into video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Hnrkz7H7k&feature=youtu.be Apparently the young man in this vid is serious about keeping pads where they need to be - or WHY use them. Be as accurate as possible when measuring your body dimensions for g-form sizing - maybe have a helper - if dimensions fall in the middle between 2 sizes - go to the smaller g-form size - They also make compression shorts with hip and tailbone pads on them. Also be aware they have some high discount sales that are worth the wait IMO up to 40%. From my experience these pads will very effectively protect whatever they are covering. No experience with the pads at the link you provided but they look to be a lot bulkier than the g-forms. Also understand g-forms look very thin but the material in the pads is extremely hi-tech and do work for Sure - no guessing with g-form IMHO. Most including me wait until a bad hit to buy them. My 1st hit to cost me 2 months of tunnel flying was on my tailbone - very painful for a month then one more to get comfortable again. I was told I was lucky by a pro flyer. Many instructors I know wear them but waited too lomg like me to get them HaHa one in fact had elbow bone fragments floating around inside his arm before getting the g-forms. There's an old saying from where I'm at that says - "if one is going to be dumb they need to be tough". I know about that from my tailbone hit. Last advise - get pads before you get hurt badly - no need for long term pain elbows, knees, tailbones are vulnerable especially in the beginning of one's learning curve on a new skill. Good Luck in this amazing sport.

Just mentioned the IBA so Rashiid could go look at the recommended learning sequence for bodyflight. One good thing among others about the sky is there isn't any wall to collide into. ;) I would think it takes a lot of skydives to rack up hours needed in freefall to learn the numerous flying skills folks desire to do at 45 seconds of per freefall during a skydive. Of course I only tunnel fly so either route someone takes is fine with me. To each his/her own.

G-Form pads rock for sure. Spoke to a person at a tunnel last night who was learning back layouts that can fram your knees into the wall. I asked if they wore knee and elbow pads. Ans. was NO they won't fit under the tight custom fit flightsuit. Felt bad that I didn't think to advise wearing them outside - will correct that on a pm.

Maybe consider registering with International Bodyflight Association (IBA) or just check out their site to see the skills progression dashboard. https://tunnelflight.com/ IBA's learning plan organizes bodyflight skills in a manner that provides a foundation to build and add safety to learning the next skill. Took me about 12 hours in a tunnel to learn levels 1 and 2. Thought it would get easier as I progressed but it hasn't for me. Building muscle memory (reverse alzheimers to me) takes me quite a bit of time. Sample IBA dashboard below:

The article phil 1111 posted stated - “It wasn’t transparent lies. It was just pushing our buttons,” says Van Bavel. “To me, this is more pernicious. It’s not a matter of fiction that we can root out with fact-checking. It’s more about turning Americans against each other.” Just taking the example of Dep't of Interior (DOI) federal land management planning one who has knowledge of it knows that American's buttons have been being pushed hard and painfully for decades by DOI. I suspect Negative effects of DOI's actions on the little guys and gals have kept a constantly growing number (millions)of Americans pissed off for one or two generations. IMHO they don't just dislike DOI they hate it. Many have positive images of smokey the bear when thinking of DOI/Nat Park Service/USFWS etc. but others understand all to well how DOI has massive power to wreck lives and cultures. As far as those folks I refer to here Russia couldn't have had much effect on them or changed how they voted. They wanted a drastic change and had no concern for repercussions and that is what happened in one of our three branches of government. DOI alone much less all the other federal and state agencies have a propaganda machines equal to anything the russians have. From what I have experienced the Russians may be learning from our side. We are way down a very bumpy road and there ain't no tellin' how much more bumpier it will get. We are our own biggest threat due to our ignorance due to decades of apathy.

Just to let U know jaguaR - Went for 1st physical therapy today - and guess what? - they sent me home with a wide flat rubber band "theraband" to do tension exercises (internal and external arm swings to build up cuff internal muscles for endurance. Doesn't take too many reps for the burn to start - reminded me of how my shoulders felt after the first 15 min during the 1st half hour of tunnel flying I did at an iFLY Orlando overnight camp. Brad Hunt wasn't kidding in Orlando when he told me during my 2nd overnight camp that mantis was easier on the shoulders - will share his advise with emphasis whenever I can now - should have worked more on mantis but to eager to do the cool fancy stuff. ;) When I get back in tunnel it will be all about flying mantis until I can do it properly. I do believe now that this was caused by flying with arms out too far most of the time over 13 hours in tunnel and adding 27 lbs of weight to fly for 3 - 15 min sessions with the 4 way group at 7.5 % higher than normal speeds for me.