Bluefox

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Posts posted by Bluefox


  1. Quote



    LUDICROUS Speed is ACTUALLY labeled on the control panel for the tunnel... :o




    Crazy speed...I'm still day dreaming about our amazing adventures in NH. The tunnel was fantastic and Laurie/Rob were super cool along with all of their friendly staff. They really go all out to show you a good time. Thanks you guys Rock!

    The tunnel was so crazy fast that at one point I stripped down to my shorts and tee to fly with Dave and Kyle from Team Mandrin. (thanks for the fun guys!) The recirc was so smooth with none of the speed fluctuations you get from the open SV models. Besides being able to hang out under the chamber while people fly my favorite feature is the lighting up top. The first time I went high I was siked because it was open, you could see and there was still some clean, smooth, light air up there. Crazy! Oh and to watch some of the tricks Kris and Dan were pulling off up top was sick. Lets just say you won't believe it until you see it.

    As for the flying I had a blast! Everyone flew their butts off and it was so cool to get a chance to fly with all the ladies again. (I can't wait for tftc ;))

    There is such a positive vibe hanging over SVNH that I can't wait to go back and visit all of my new friends. Thank you everyone for being there and making our experience so amazing. And a special thanks to Laurie and Rob for inviting us to their wonderful tube of pleasure.

    I hope to see everyone soon!

    Laura

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  2. Ok to give you a better idea of what I mean here is a picture. Since we already have the lovely Paige as our model I stole one of her pictures because it was the best example I could find. I hope ya don't mind girlie.

    Its subtle but made more clearly here because there is no suit. Ok hopefully no tunnel coaches will take me out for sharing the family secrets. If you see she is carving right but her left trailing foot is sideways and a little lower with her heel cutting into the air. You would need a whole lot less of this for the sky but the concept is the same. But there are many ways to make yourself turn or fly sideways so it might be different for other people. Some use their feet by pressing more on the opposite side but you can also use your arms by cupping air and pulling yourself. With HD carving the slicing heels seems to work well…in the tunnel. As I said before I should probably stick to posting in the tunnel forum so take it or leave it.

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  3. Quote



    Im just trying to figure out what exactly my legs need to be doing other than driving me forward.

    Thanks



    Ok...I'm going to jump in and tell you what I do so you can take it or leave it at that. I'm not sure exactly what I do in the sky because I have only done it a few times and did not think about what my feet were doing. Chances are it was similar as in the tunnel because of muscle memory. Anyway, In the tunnel my legs are bent a bit but that is more for lift which you don't need so much in the sky. Basically you use your legs to drive forward and also you turn your feet sideways a little so that your heels are facing the direction you want to carve. The angle, relative to the wind, of your feet deflects air and drives your feet in a direction which helps you fly sideways. But like I said that's what I do in the tunnel and this is the freefly forum so take it or leave it.

    One other note is that its definitely easier to do with someone who already knows how. You might start out just turning in place keeping eye contact but eventually you will start driving forward and turning which is basically the components of a HD carve.

    Laura

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  4. Hey Paige and Ari!

    It was awesome to hook up with you guys in AZ for some tunnel flying fun. Everyone flew awesome but you both were especially rocking it out in there! The tunnel in AZ is amazing! Its super huge, super fast and the staff were super friendly! Of course all the upper protrusions made flying up high a bit freaky but I got more used to it as the session progressed. I started out having them throttle it down and wore my zp tunnel suit. Then I tried flying my sky suit which worked out very well and made it possible for them to crank it up a bit.

    Of course my favorite part was hopping in there wearing shorts and a tee. It blew my mind that there was enough speed that we could fly in there with out a suit! The dvd video is hilarious and maked me roll on the floor laughing the first time I watched it. Near the end of the 2 min session I started to lose the strategically placed back side rubber bands and my shorts started filling up with air when I flew around on my head. Not to mention the last few seconds I almost lost my shirt entirely. Equally funny was Paige in a tank top and long shorts carving around on her head trying to hold her kittens in the basket. Ari’s Tee shirt of course had so much up and down play it was 12 inches longer when he got out. It makes me laugh just thinking about it. :D I can’t wait to go back and try it again. What a blast! Thanks for all the tunnel fun and I look forward to flying with you guys again soon. :)
    La

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  5. Hey Dawn!

    I caught about 2 seconds of the flying but would like to see more. Did you say you posted the video somewhere? I tried to find it on your site but was unsuccessful.

    Thanks girl! I really need to come down and visit you this spring. I had a blast flying with you and the girlie gang at SVO but it would be awesome to get in to the open air at AAC. Then you can teach me some old school tunnel flying moves. ;)

    Laura

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  6. Whuwho!!!!! Let’s just hijack this thread! World Team Rocks! :)
    I’m so happy for everyone involved in getting the record. Just thinking about it gives me the warm fuzzies!

    Thanks rehmwa! I needed that pick me up. I was sinking in to a fit of tunnel deprivation.;):)

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  7. I agree that it really is subjective when it comes to how much tunnel you can fly and that has a lot to do with skill and conditioning. My comment was referring to a new person learning how to freeflying in the tunnel. Under those circumstances I think we can make a few assumptions. I personally can do hours of RW in a day and still be some what productive but freefly takes a lot more energy. (this relates back to a previous post I made about wind speeds and freefly vs RW. Basically with FF you hold yourself up the whole time where with RW for most people it’s all about changing your arch or wearing lead.)

    Of course flying an hour each day for 3 days would be great! :)

    La

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  8. Quote

    I think an hour or two done over the course of a few days would be most helpful.



    I agree but mostly because of fatigue and the ability to absorb new skills. Knowledge retention seems to be enhanced when it is spread over a few days, especially when it has to do with muscle memory. You would get more out of your time and money by doing 30 minutes spread over 3 days then you would by doing 1 hour in a day. Even if you are extremely fit, fatigue will turn you into a useless blob when you first start freeflying in the tunnel. Back flying is not as tiring but once you get to sit you want to make sure to spread your time out so you get a chance to recover between flights and sessions. On that note it’s a good idea to be well rested, fed, hydrated and not hung-over. Being at the top of your game will help increase your performance and progression. (I have personally figured this out the hard way. A lesson we all learn over and over again.:D)

    Quote

    I wouldn't attempt for much past that because you really have to spend a shitload of money to get a lot better after that point. It's probably better to get the base with backflying and if you can get off the net in a sit you'll be doing good when you get in the air. It worked out a lot of my kinks with sitflying.



    I don’t agree that it’s not worth pursuing tunnel freeflying beyond the basics. I think this is a matter of how much you want to spend and how good you want to be. It is true that it takes a lot of time and money to get to the point where you can safely pull off crazy moves like HD or back carving but there is so much to learn leading up to that stuff. All of which helps your flying. With a good coach (this is key) there is tons to learn and each person gets different skills and progression out of their tunnel time.

    I do agree however that if you can get to the point where you are sitting stable off the net you are pretty much golden. There seems to be a huge learning spurt after you reach that point because you find a solid position that you know is not moving around the tunnel or sky. I think finding those solid base positions can be the foundation for learning to fly each position. It’s kind of like an AFF student who just figured out how to stop their unintentional spin. Suddenly they have the basic foundation for every other move, their recovery position. (Of course I will probably catch a rash of crap for presenting body flight in such a compartmentalized fashion by separating each position. Ultimately of course the goal is to transition though each position with ease and control.)

    Ok so this is all just my opinion from someone who is sitting at work day dreaming about flying in the tunnel. :)
    La

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  9. Quote

    I think that backflying would be more relevent to HU than belly as the same principles apply in regards to turning.

    The new SDU Sitfly DVD by Joao has some good demonstrations to this effect.

    To the original poster, Freeflying in not HU and HD...it is flying your body in ALL positions and transitions.



    If you are talking about what you are doing with your feet during back fly and HU then I agree. I think the whole hand thing is a bit different. As to the point in Mikki_ZH’s post, that I was trying to clarify, I think it just has to do with the basic point of visual orientation. I think it happens naturally for most people so they don’t realize its happening. The best example of this is when people fly on their back with head tilted back so you see the world upside down. This is done so you get used to the visual orientation for flying HD. Some people really struggle with this where others just seem to always know what’s up and what’s down no matter the orientation. (ok I just reread Mikki_ZH's post and realized that he was talking about movement. So maybe my point was true when you talk about visuals but not movment.)

    Anyway yes I agree that the ultimate goal is to get better at flying your body smoothly and in control no matter what the orientation. Personally I would be happy if I could figure out how to fly my floaty ass self at the same speed as everyone else in any orientation. :D

    As for Joao’s new DVD I have not seen it yet. I did buy his back flying one and it rocked. I think his series of DVD’s are and will be the most comprehensive on the market.

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  10. Quote

    Quote

    Quote

    Bellyflying helps you with your sit



    Huh?



    I would like to raise this with a "whaaaa?"



    I think Mikki_ZH was referring to the visual picture. Flying on your back helps you get used to the visual picture of seeing things upside down while still being in a very stable position. This is helpful for some people trying to learn head down flying. Belly flying is similar in that respect to sit flying because it’s the same picture yet it's a very stable position.

    For someone just getting into skydiving you have to learn how to get comfortable in a belly to earth position. (I think we can all agree on that since it is the optimum position ;) for deploying a parachute.) That means not only getting used to the feel of the air but acclimating to the visual picture. Luckily it’s easier for us because it's relatively the same picture as we see on the ground. Now think about what it's like when you’re on the hill. It's different. At the beginning of a sky dive you have to be aware that the relative wind is coming from a different direction which will change the visual picture. This requires getting used to whether you are trying to fly belly to earth or on your back.

    So I believe the point was that belly flying visuals are the same to sit flying as back flying visuals are to head down.

    Just my $0.02

    La

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  11. Here is one... Check out "The Shackle".

    It would make for a good intermediate and advanced random. In the FS dive pool both levels do all the same randoms but the intermediate level excludes some of the advanced blocks.

    The nice thing about this random is it gives someone some head up, out facing time.

    La

  12. I have also found that fatigue sets in faster for me when I’m freeflying in the tunnel versus doing belly RW. I think the difference is due to the speed at which each discipline is performed. With RW there is a greater surface area presented to the wind which makes it easy to get lift. You don’t have to work at it to get off the grate and in fact most people wear lead. With freeflying even though the tunnel speed is turned up you have to work to get lift in some of the faster positions like sit flying.

    But don’t fret there is hope. There are techniques you can use to help provide lift with out using muscle groups that get tired easily. For starters you can try leaning back into your sit more by arching your back a little and sticking out your chest. (always fun for the ladies :)

    Now speaking of legs this is your second major tool. Instead of trying to hang from your arms you can use your legs to provide lift. This is done by taking on a wider sit stance and pressing the inside of your legs against the wind. Some people go for the straighter leg more of a split style where those with flexible hips and knees do a more of a knee bend inward. What ever style you use the concept is the same in the sense that you use your legs for most of your lift. This is helpful because your leg muscles are used to heavy work and don’t fatigue as quickly as your arms.

    I hope these tips are helpful but the best tips of all are to talk to and work with a good coach and keep flying in the tunnel as much as possible.

    La

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  13. I would love to join in on the fun but I can't make it. I will have to visit another time of course. Please take lots of pictures for us!
    :)

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  14. Quote



    Can I tell you my FAVORITE part of the whole thing was flying/driving the obstacle course!



    Oh I loved the obstacle course! It was just as much fun being an obstacle as it was to fly around because you could watch all the :)
    I watched the video again and its funny because I realized how much we progressed over the two hours. When we first tried to put 5 in there at once to carve around we had a few issues but by the end 5 was no problem.

    We have to do it again soon because I started to remember some super cool 2 way stuff that I have not done in ages.

    What a blast! buzzz buzz buzz.

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  15. Quote

    la...DAMN, girl! look at you GO on your headdown!! SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET flying, chica!! :)

    a



    Thanks for the props arlo. Things just started clicking for me about a month and a half ago. Then again it helps being a buck 10 and having one of Nancy's fancy suits...:)
    la

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  16. Quote

    [Shhhh.........it'll be our secret;)

    I saw the wishbone picture. Very cute.



    Yeah....Shhhh...Its just between you and me. ;)

    That wishbone picture is hilarious. I think I laughed for 5 minutes strait when I saw it. It’s funny because allot of things we planned to try but most of it just kind of happened. You know dock on what ever you can. It made for a really cool free form event. Every one added something and things just built and held and sometimes toppled down into a pile of laughter.

    What a blast. I'm still buzzing.

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  17. Hey Mar!

    I guess I had so much fun at JFTC I had to follow it up with a little TFTC action. Oh and did we have a rocking time!

    So don't tell on me;)...I'm supposed to be taking it easy on my gimped ankle. I don't think the other foxes venture into the tunnel forums so I might be safe.:D Well besides being wishboned I escaped the event unscathed. :)

    BTW PD said my canopy was badly out of trim. Foxyroxtail gets a shot for calling that one.

    La

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  18. Wow! What an awesome time I had. Thank you so much Paige for all the hard work you put in to make TFTC happen. The amount of talented women and the crazy hybrids we pulled off was amazing. With out your vision and efforts I would not be sitting here with a huge grin on my face still feeling the vibe and riding the high.

    To all the people that came out for support, thank you for your efforts. To Skyventure, thank you so much for everything. To the participants…WOW! I had so much fun meeting and flying with everyone. What an accomplished group of female flyers! I watched the DVD on Sunday and was blown away by some of the stuff we pulled off. I loved watching everyone’s style. It was so cool how each girl brought their own unique style and goodie bag of tricks for us to mix it all up into 2 hours of unbelievable fun and crazy hybrids. Thank you…I had a blast!

    So, when are we going to do it again?

    Laura

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  19. This brings up an interesting issue I discussed with a friend recently. For belly jumps when you are tracking away the low man/woman has the right of way. You have to maneuver your track so that when the people below you open you are not over top of them. In bigway belly jumps they sometimes use tracking leaders so it’s pretty clear where you should be during break off but still the low man wins. It’s the same with airplanes or canopies. Now when it comes to freefly everyone seems to be tracking away on their back. In that scenario the high man has the right of way. When you have a mixed level of skill this could cause some problems. I think it’s definitely a good idea to discuss break off on the ground. Personally when I’m freeflying I like to do a barrel roll no matter which way I’m tracking. In bigways you track to save your life. :)

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  20. Quote

    can anyone recommend a freefly dvd...just anything cool or instructional.



    Here is one that is new and a really great foundation builder for both the sky and tunnel. It's the first in a series of 6 that are supposed to be developed for each form of body flight.

    BACK FLY: LEARNING TO FREEFLY DVD
    You can pick it up at paragear.
    http://www.paragear.com/templates/parachutes.asp?group=461&level=1

    I watched it and thought it was really well done. It is very clear and gives both 3 dimensional graphics along with showing people demonstrating the moves. I would highly recommend it for people who would like to learn or get better at freefly in the tunnel. Back flying is the first skill you have to master before they will really let you play. Back flying also seems to be one of those things people who learn to freefly in the sky, skip over. Most people go strait to sit so this DVD is a good back filler. :D I'm looking forward to the other ones being released.

    Enjoy!
    La

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  21. Quote

    Seriously though. Will she be bored out of her wits? Should this be a solo mission?



    I say you take her and throw her into the mixing bowl. I took my tandems only sisters to skyventure not long ago and they had a blast. I think they may want to do AFF now. You never know but she might just dig the tunnel and that could open her mind to skydiving. I would never push jumping on anyone but the tunnel seems to have enticed my sisters. But then again it might just run in the genes.

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com

  22. I completely agree with Drew's advice on learning to freefly in the tunnel. You have to share time and spread it over a few days. All the coaches he mentioned are beyond awesome in more ways than flying and coaching. It takes time to build up the tunnel flying skills before the tunnel rats will let you fly on your head. A good coach will start you with the absolute basics and build on each new skill. If you already have lots of freefly jumps you will pick up stuff quickly and make allot of progress. The tunnel definitely teaches you to freefly at slower speeds. I have more time freeflying in the tunnel than I do in the air so that has actually been a little of a problem for me. I think its worth it though because you can make huge progress in your flying in just a short time. Its also great for working on docks and using a small area to fly. Whether you are doing belly flying or freeflying the tunnel is an amazing tool. I can't wait until they are all over the country. Maybe a surplus of tunnels will force the price down. :S As for weegegirl's original question about whether it is worth taking a freeflying camp or a 4-way I would say both. If you can't do both I would do the one that you think you will learn the most from. If your belly skills are poor it would be worth improving them. I personally like to be a well-rounded skydiver. There is nothing more kick ass than being able to walk on a dropzone and be a pick up on anything that is happening, even if it’s a 100-way hybrid. ;) That is one of the reasons why I started to learn how to freefly. :)

    CANOPY COURSE Video Training with Brian Germain at AdventureWisdom.com