mazevedo

As I said, I freezed when I saw one guy going through the other guy canopy. I was completely surprised and shoked about that. It took few seconds, but the time was running... The break off altitude was 5.000' and I saw everybody tracking away, except the guy I was going to film (as briefed). I never expect that one jumper with more than 500ish didn't know how to track (my mistake, as I didn't knew him very well). It was one jump on that load (Cena 182 - just five jumpers on the load). completely agree I learned a lot with that jump. Now I know, that really stupid thing can happens... If you don't think that an impossible thing could happen, it does...

This situation really scared me... I think this could be posted on Safety forum, but I want to know the opinion in the cameramen view. The jump was: Friend’s birthday (tube hanger – I don’t know if this is the right word) - tube jump - 5-way “sit fly”. I was the camera. The jump was ok until break-off at 5.000’ (except me and the tube hanger). Both of us went on our belly, he released the tube and I went on my back to film he pull. I saw a shadow passing just 5’ to 10’ besides me. One of the guy that was supposed to track away, just pulled under us. The tube hanger passed through the canopy while on free-fall. At this time, my “pro-ditter“rang 3.500’. I have to say that I was few seconds paralyzed when I saw my friend going into the canopy and I was afraid to pull under that mess. I decided to pull later and there was nothing I could do, just to pray about anybody going into my canopy, too. As my Neptune, my canopy was opened at 1.400’. I really thought my friend died. I thought he was wrapped by the canopy or shocked with the other guy. I just realized everybody was ok when I counted the canopies in the air and saw they were flying them. The guy that pulled under us, didn’t realized what happened until he landed his reserve (his main was completely damaged). He thought it was a terminal malfunction. My friend just cut his forehead. He was wrapped on his birthday and received three stitches as birthday gift. Everything was briefed - break-off altitude, going on our belly, releasing the tube, pull, etc-Except one guy tracking like a boomerang. I know it was a miracle everybody is alive and I really learned some points. 1 - I will never film a pull (except tandem and AFF) again. 2 - I will never jump with people I don’t know very well (the guy that made the mess, was the only one that I didn´t knew. The other guys knew him and said he was +500). 3 - 5-way “free fly” is a big-way. I will break-off at 5.000’ always… I always do that, but this time.. I didn’t… Look what happened. 4 - I will never jump with anybody that doesn´t use an audible altimeter. The guy that made the mess wasn’t with one. How do you react to something like that? As a beginner, I reacted by instincts. I could made everything worst for the roll group or for me, I don’t know. Few feet more, I could end up with two canopies over my head and just 1.000’ to deal with it. Few feet less I could end up with another jumper inside my canopy. It was purely luck, I know. But what you experienced cameraman would do? BS PS: Sorry for the bad English PS2: The camera was from the tube hanger. I returned to him before he went to the hospital look at his injure. edited: english issue...

Fixed! It happened to me once. I sent it back and my canopy was changed . Before I sent it back, I checked the lines, changed the rig, asked another jumper to fly it with different rigs and when I was sure it was the canopy, I sent it back to be fixed. They didn't find where was the problem and they sent a brand new one.

One ride. Nice open and landing!!! Follow a link to my cutaway... Smart 150 Link

With your helmet on, ask for some one to place your camera inside the box, turn it on, place the box with the camera on the left side of your helmet and focus some target near you while you are looking for the target (don't close the box door, you will need to open the LCD when targeting). Find some way to mark the right place. I hope this will help...

There is a good and inexpensive book from National Geographic, I think is a good beginning. My teacher at photo class recommended to me. Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Photography-Field-Guide/dp/079225676X/sr=8-1/qid=1163159246/ref=sr_1_1/104-4044657-1104730?ie=UTF8&s=books

I took this photo this weekend. Flower exit from my friends.

Just 5 hours??? Leave the Central Sation, take #5 tram, leave at leidseplein - ther you will find some coffee shopps and pubs. You can go walking to the Heineken Museum - its great and you will drink some good beer, too. Be carefull about the time. I don't know why, but the time seems to be a little bit slower over there...

25 FF-jumps this weekend 2 solos 5 FF-coach 1 hybrid big way 4 3-way 1 camera 12 2-way The best weekend ever... Run out of cash... maybe grounded for the next month

It was me at the Brazilian Boogie. Look at the view...

Mais um brasileiro por aqui! Pedro, existe dois portais brasileiros que são muito interessantes. http://www.pqdbrasil.com.br/inicio/ http://www.skydivepro.com.br Outra dica, é procurar o Paulo Silva (depois envio o email dele) que é um paraquedista do exército português que está sempre pronto a ajudar. Abraços a todos!

That's it!

I found one picture Edited to add: I know I should not post any photograph identifying BASE sites, but it was a legal jump, so I think it's not a problem.

from the site www.skateboard.com "March 28th, 2006 - Bob Burnquist Jumps the Grand Canyon Hell Hole Bend, Arizona – March 24, 2006 – Bob Burnquist fulfilled his life long dream yesterday by dropping in off of a custom made 40’ mega-ramp and onto a 40’ rail that extended over the Grand Canyon where upon reaching the end of the rail; Bob then Skydived/BASE jumped 1,600 feet into the Grand Canyon. In a stunt that will likely never be duplicated, Bob Burnquist entered the history books yesterday by becoming the first person to ever skateboard down a 40’ mega-ramp and onto a 40’ rail and then safely BASE jump off the rail 1,600 feet down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. To call the stunt unique is an understatement; this was the ultimate skateboarding stunt ever performed and will secure Bob’s place among the sport’s all-time elite. The stunt was performed for the Discovery Channel’s show Stunt Junkies, hosted by world renown BASE jumper Jeb Corliss, who admitted after Bob was safely back atop the Canyon, that this was the show’s finest stunt yet performed and has set the bar extremely high for all future stunts. “The truly unique thing about this stunt is that Bob is probably the only person in the world who could do this” said Jeb afterwards, adding that “I’m a great BASE jumper but there is no way I could have done this stunt!” Bob is one of the world’s best mega-ramp riders and an avid skydiver, who just recently learned to BASE jump. The stunt required enormous skill, requiring a mastery of two completely different disciplines. Adding even more danger to the stunt was that fact that there was very little margin for error when launching off the ramp and transitioning onto the rail because the slightest mishap on the rail could have spelled disaster for Bob as falling on the rail would have precluded him from making it far enough away from the side of the cliff for him to safely open his parachute. “This has been a dream of mine for a long time and to finally be able to do it and successfully is just magical; I’m just speechless” exclaimed Bob subsequently adding: “Everything came together today from the weather to all the people supporting me and to not let them down feels real good!” Bob had a team of supporters out there from friends and family to his sponsors and everyone was pulling for him to nail the trick. After a couple of practice runs to get familiar with the ramp and rail and a few slight modifications to the ramp, Bob landed the trick on his fourth try. The cheering and applause could be heard echoing throughout the canyon making the whole scene surreal. “I’m just so fortunate for the opportunity to do this, this definitely ranks among the coolest things I’ve ever done” said Bob after the celebration died down. Look for the stunt to be aired on Stunt Junkies sometime in June and for photos of the stunt on Discovery’s website. Bob would like to thank all his sponsors: Flip Skateboards, Hurley, Oakley, Activision, Nixon, Pro-Tec Helmets, and OGIO Bags, Stoneyfield Farm, Zoobamboo Entertainment and Burnquist Organics. Article Courtesy of The Skateboard Industry.com"

More information: www.brazilboogie.com