skyjuggler

I guess it is also a good way to practice talking with the locals when you land so far off!!!! Seriously, this boogie rocks and I just so happen to have some info from the latest Lapalisse email. *** Espace Boogie first news: VICHY // Antonov 72 + Beech 99 *** The preparation of the 2004 edition of Espace Boogie (August 7 - 15) is also well started. The Antonov 72 " White Shark " and Beech 99 will propose to all jumps from 4800 m (15750 ft). All information regarding the boogie, a settlement map, the list of load organizers as well as online pre-registrations are available on Espace Boogie Internet site http://www.espace-boogie.com

An alternative to the 20 min boarding proceedure and the excellent spots you can receive??? As for getting there people, Vichy is on a railway line which is not running directly to Paris, however..... It goes nicely to Lyon, so fly to Lyon and then get train to Vichy. From Paris, it is similar to going to Lapalisse the DZ. In Paris get to the Gare de Lyon, take a train down to a station called St. Germain des Fosses. This is a fast route, and should take a couple of hrs. (final destination, Clermont Ferrand) From St Germain des Fosses, Vichy is one stop on a train heading to Lyon. Its as simple as that, well simplier when someone explains it to you!!! Espace is going to rock this year, now everyone knows how to get there by public transport!

Perrone

Webpage says: Espace Boogie 2004 < 7 - 15 août 2004 > < August 7 - 15, 2004 > ANTONOV 72 - VICHY Last I heard it was still planned for Vichy as well. For the Freaks, Babylon, Loic, Eli Thompson will be load organising, so there will be some bad arse jumps. I am also under the impression that the Beech 99 (14'000 ft in 8mins) might be there as well as the AN-72. Jan from Skydive Portugal has just got it running, and it is a bad arse aeroplane. He also wants larger engines, I think they have -27's and he will put -32's on it.!!! So ESPACE BOOGIE 2004 will be an event to attend for sure. Can't wait

I have about 2.5 hrs, all coached by Fabian and Joao. They were bad arse coaches, i really enjoyed their positive coaching mentality. I also like the fact that if you trusted them, they would teach you to fly. What I mean by that, is they didn't just stick me in set freefly positions and go from there, they made me build up my awareness and muscle memory experience of all positions. They also had endless amounts of drills for similar skills, so I never felt like I got bogged down, I could always try a different exercise for the same skill. I also really enjoyed watching them fly on their own and together with people. I learnt alot from just watching them. I found they were both very professional in briefings, and debriefings. Joao's debriefs in particular were great!!! The tunnel time was great, I think it helps alot with freefly philosphy, moving where you want to go, and reckonising the different positions or more importantly the different inputs to manipulate the air as you see fit. I loved it so much, despite having the opinon that the positions are a little different. As for comparisons with the air, I am undecided. But as I say, the concept of manipulating the air was most noticable for me. Also I enjoyed the input / output nature of the confined space, as well as the preciceness required in the tunnel. It was also noticable that the good tunnel flyers, could fly all the positions / transitions / moves very slow indeed, nothing was rushed, and the good people have a certain flow to their flying. This I like very much and am keen to work on! All in all the tunnel rocked, as did the people who coached me.

How long ago did you order? What will be the manufacturer / delievery time if the tunnel suit arrives this week? How much did it end up costing you?

Thanks for the reply, it has pretty much answered all the extra questions I had which Nancy's original email did not answer. I think the suits are great, the waiting time is a bummer, but it hasn't put me off. From the suits I have seen the quality seems great, and their tunnel suits look fantastic. I will call Nancy instead of trying to email to work out how to start my order.

I am interested in Ouragan suits, but as the web page is down some basic information is missing. I have been in contact with the company but they are obviously very busy at the moment. If anyone has purchased a suit recently, or has knowledge of the products they will be able to answer my questions. How much are the freefly suits, and tunnel suits? How much more for custom designs? What is a Dave Brown cut /styled suit?? no I am not trying to have a laugh How long do they take to be cut? Ouragan suits look bad ass, does anyone have any personal experiences or comments on their experience with the company and the quality of the product? Cheers in advance

I am interested in any information on how busy the the major Florida DZ's are during the summer. It is my understanding that they slow down considerably during the summer time. How many loads tend to turn at Sebastian, Space Center, Z-Hills, Deland during the summer weekdays? Are the weekends still busy? What is it like to jump in Florida during this time? My last memory of Zhills in the summer was that it was very hot and humid. Comments please.

As formations become bigger they slow down5{y and the other large formations were packing the base with the big guys. As more people are added to formations the slower the fall rate becomes. To answer the original post, I reckon 150-160mph is a good speed for head up and head down work.

My understanding is that the grips on the helmet tend to be used for exits. Just with any other type of grip, death grips and tension are not the aim, the flyers still need to fly their slot. I definately agree with this quote: A grip on the helmet is just the same as a grip on the suit as far as the concept goes. Lots of top freefly teams have grippers. I am not sure about Alchemey, but they used to use grips on their suits and I believe they had them last year, but other teams have grips on their suits. I don't think they are a bad idea, but only really see them as a potential requirement for teams. Once flying I don't see the point of them, as the quote above states, and could then imagine them being a problem / misused. But for exits I can see the benefits. As for safety, I don't think they are dangerous, but then that is probably becasue I am visualising the design I have seen and the people who use them.

QuoteWhy would you need "coaching" to get your A-licence? Since you have less than 18 jumps you obviously haven't finished your AFF course yet, and therefore still need an AFF instructor (or CSBI/AI if you're on consols)*** Some american packages include the AFF jumps and then coaching in the consols so Bluessurfer may have been seeking the same ting. The main point here I believe is that a UK dropzone was not intersted in helping a AFF student from abroad or else where finish off their consols. This happened to me, but I was lucky and had 18 out of the 20 jumps and found a good UK DZ. Most DZ's don't want the hassle of taking on the responsibility of an unknown quantity, or are annoyed that people went else where for their course and then want to finish off else where. Also I have to say there are some nice people at Headcorn, but as far as helpful and getting people to jump, they leave alot to be desired. My experiences only. Expensive, limited jumping and rediculous enforcement of rules which can endanger people. Found it not such a great DZ, but as I say, some nice people do jump there.

Or plenty of places in town. Good internet cafe on street towads beach around the corner from the Surf Inn bar. I think at the DZ bar it is 1€ for 8 minutes no???

Empuria has loads of places to stay. As far as the bunk house is concerned, they are brand new log cabin style, and all you have to do is email the center or phone them and they will let you know if non-skydivers can stay there. Ninbin also has a bunkhouse and is really nice. it is further away from DZ but right next to bars / beach and restaurants. Basically everyone ends up in town at night, so either stay in town or near the DZ, they both have pluses depending on if you like getting to bed quick or having some extra time in bed in the morning. Paul and his wife run Ninbin, and they have a bunk house of their own now, as well as the down stairs apartment of their house which is a twin and a double with shared lounge and kitchen. Its a good place. If you can get over a little earlier to Europe yoou should check the Espace Boogie out. Lapalisse is a cool dropzone, as in Empuria, and at this time of the year it is perfect. A little cooler and slightly less busy, which means the locals are a little more relaxed. June-Aug is crazy time. As for the wind, you never know when it is going to be tramontana, but it tends to blow once a month or less. last summer i can't remember it at all in the summer months....I could be wrong. Anyways your trip will be wicked.

What is the deal with skydive Lake Tahoe? I am aware of that it used to be quite active, but then things changed - lost the king air etc... So, what is the deal with last season and this summer? Is it just a weekend tandem dropzone with a few local fun jumpers, or is it open 7 days a week with a good jump ship likeit used to be? Anyone know what the deal is as far as this season goes?

thanks for the post. Are these official numbers, or did you get them from some other people? Would be good to hear more on this. For anyone who has flown vertically in the Perris Tunnel, how much of an effort was it for you? Would be very useful to hear experiences.

Cool, thanks for the info. I am sure I will not have the level for the world record, there are some very good freeflyers out there, and I am not a world champion. However, I am sure there will be people wanting to build up to the larger groups, and also those who do not make the cut, but who have a good solid level and group experience. I am looking for some nice safe and challenging jumps, I am sure there will be lots of people there like me too. Personally, going straight for a 16 way with people I do not know, and not knowing the speed doesn't initially attract me. Will take it easy and play it by ear. If I feel happy and others do, then great. I'm in no rush and not setting myself any aims, apart from progressing and continuing my jumping. One of the reasons I am coming to the US is to do larger stuff and check out a different scene. Thought 3 weeks in Perris at this time would be great. A 10 way (or any group jump) in my opinion is a serious jump, and deserves concentration and respect for certain points such as exit, slots, seperation etc... But that depends on how safe and how good a standard you set! Can't wait, think it will be great what ever I end up doing. thanks for the background, will know a little more what to expect.

As Brian is known to post here........ I have heard different views as to what the target market is of the Sensei. Reports seem to vary between a canopy which is a little slower than the Velocity, VX, Xaos, to reports that it performs better than them on distance. What is the deal, who is it designed for, and what other info do you have about the canopy. Looking forward to responses.

I have a feeling that these camps are for group skills and learning but also they are used for screening to find people who might be suitable for big way records. I myself have never flown a 20-way but have done quite a few 10-15ways, but reckon there should be people like myself just looking to jump, learn and enjoy themselves with a pretty good grounding level. I'm hoping there will be lots of people turning up to jump, and that the atmosphere will be good for meeting people and just jumping hard. I could be dreaming, but I hope not. I am sure there will be people who are there with a goal to achieve of making a set group or standard. No problem, I am sure if it is run by the FLyboyz and Alchemey attitudes will be kept in check and that everyone will benefit. If you want to do some group stuff you should go, I know others who are thinking like me will be attending. Its cool to get a group a people who want to jump, keep the same people and jump all day. 6-8 ways would be perferct all day long with some advice from the organisers.

Nice post, that helps. Sounds cool, I am looking forward to doing some nice jumps with some good flyers. Not really interested in making 'world record attempts', not that I am probably good enough either! However as long as people aren't too up tight and there is a good vibe, I will be looking forward to jumping with some focused people. Nice. Looks like I am going to continue to learn, get plenty of good jumps in and check out the US scene. Just what I wanted

Thats why I ask. Am planning on the one in Perris in April. April 24 until 28. Then hang out and check out the World Record stuff, must be plenty of good flyers to hook up with around this time. check out www.freeflymegacenter.com

Feedback on The Freefly tunnel camps would be cool, especially Alchemys / Freefly training center's camps. I see that they run for 3 days, and provide 1 hr of tunnel time. Did people reach their goals for the camp, did you receive the full 1 hr, how did you find the format and setup, how much personal tuition did you receive etc...? Input would be great. Also anyone flown in the Perris Tunnel and compare it to the updated Orlando tunnel for freefly

Has anyone been to one of these camps in the past, and if so how did you find them, and what did you pay for them? I am particularly interested in people's experiences of jumping in Perris now that Alchemey have joined the Flyboyz there. So please, share experiences and knowledge, I am planning on a trip there so would appreciate input.

Monica has been living in Empuriabrava, Spain. I saw her about 2 weeks ago there. As far as I know, her blue book is not being published for 2004. However..... She does have some stuff for sale still I believe. I remeber seeing some stuff in the old shop at the end of last summer. She has made those rig ruck sacks and necklaces etc... but blue book style. I am off to empuria for a weekend soon, or I could make a call to get her email so you could contact her. I will see what I can do. Hope this may help.

Fedykin....... I'm sure everyone has opinions, Fedykin of course is entitled to his. Just as I am