1st8stkOrganizr

Thanks for the help guys. I'll get in touch with the Deland folks and post what I find out.

Talked to Doc Johnson not too long ago. He will be in Perris, CA for the entire month of May 2005.

And don't forget the first true classic SKYDIVING film, (not a film with just a canopy or two) Gypsy Moths with Burt Lancaster. He and his buddy(ies) were barnstormers. The plot was weak, but as skydivers, we reveled in the fact that a film was made about OUR sport. A number of us donned our jumpsuits and literally "paraded" down Hollywood Blvd. to the theater near Hollywood and Vine where it was premiering and were admitted free. We had an awesome time, some of the details being left out for the innocent or weak of heart. If you rent it, you will laugh a lot at the lines and the scenes. But it WAS a skydiving film, and the first from a major studio, as far as I know. Some of the local So Cal jumpers were stunt men and extras in the movie. Maybe some other Old timers can recall who among us was actually in the movie. Seems to me like Ray Cottingham, Bob Buquor and maybe Carl Boenish did some filming, but I'm again not sure. Blue skies, Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

Thanks much. I heard from Sparky just the other day. Anybody else know where any of the others listed above are??? Tom Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

Can we find any of these guys that Pasi mentions? Someone MUST know one or two of them? It would be helpful to clarify who actually did the "first" intentional canopy hookup. Pasi is gathering extensive information on CReW (CF) history, and getting it right is pretty darned important. Any and all help appreciated. Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

Mike sold out to his partner, Jess Rodriguez some time back. I am waiting to talk to Jess, who is expected back at the dropzone on Monday (1/24). So, in the meantime, if anyone has SEEN Mike Eakins (or Mike Hurley, by the way), and/or knows how to contact either of them, or knows someone who might know, please let me know. Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

I'm trying to locate some old-timers in the CReW world. Can anybody help?? Mike Hurley Mike Eakins Richard Kjar Raul Torres Jon (Doc) Grant Sparky Gregory Roger Hull Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

I've been told by Andy Keech that the very first two stack was done by Mike Barber and someone else at Deland back in 1975 or 1976. He said he shot a photo of a hookup they did later that year and it appeared in Sports Illustrated in one of those two years. Does anyone know how to contact Mike Barber or who the second person was and how to contact him? A picture would really be awesome. Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

I'm trying to locate some old-timers in the CReW world. Can anybody help?? Mike Hurley Mike Eakins Richard Kjar Raul Torres Jon (Doc) Grant Sparky Gregory Roger Hull Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

That's great. If you see him again, please tell him I said hi. Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

I posted this in the History and Trivia section, but for those CReW dogs that don't get over there, I thought this might be of some interest. Ok, after a bit of historical (hysterical?) research, here is a listing of early articles and photos of CRW... *Nov '76 Parachutist Mag. - Day Poynter writes tongue-in-cheek article entitled Canopy Contact Relative Wrok: Revolution or Evolution? Turned out he had incredible insight! *May & June '77 Parachutists - Roger Hull writes Relative Work in Slow Motion *July '77 Parachutist - Gary Douris (Instructor/ Examiner at Elsinore) writes Letter to the Editor suggesting "...USPA or the FAA should ban all such activity!" *Oct-Dec '77 issue of Starcrest has FIRST photos of World's First 8-Stack shot by Wes Green, my best friend and roommate at the time. I wrote article entitled " Canopy RW - West Coast Style" detailing the building of the World's First 8-Stack. *March '78 Parachutist - Bernie Ward (National Enquirer Staff Writer) pens article "Canopy RW - A New Era". Includes photo of my collapsed chute with me under it, held on to by Norton Thomas, on the second attempt at the world record on day-one - October 22, 1977. *January (?) '78 - National Enquirer actually publishes article and shows photos of the 8-Stack (they sponsored the weekend) Apr-Jun '78 - Starcrest Magazine - article I penned about 1978 CRW activities including "women in CRW" *November '78 Parachutist - Bob Morehead writes "Build Your Own Stack" article. Excellent color photos including "World Record 9-Stack" over Thun Field, WA located in Puyallup, WA. *Dec '79 Parachutist - Article re take-over of the CRW Awards program from Know-Sense team by U.S.P.A. Included my article "The Story of the Canopy Crests" and photos of the early pioneers in CRW. Also list of early recipients *Feb '81 Parachutist - Article I wrote entitled "First World Cup of CRW" including the rules we drafted for that first competition at Z-Hills. It would be great if others could contribute some CReW history - firsts and events. Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

VERY cool night CF pix. Love the city lights in the background, and the great job of holding the two canopies together. We MAY have met at Perris. I worked with Doc and the Perris CReW a bit from time to time, but was living up in Northern CA (Redding) at the time, and mostly jumped Corning, Yolo, Livermore, Antioch and Pope Valley. I came down here from time to time for boogies, etc. Now I live in Murrieta, about 10 min. from Elsinore and 20 minutes from Perris, but can't jump due to health issues. What a bummer - they are SO close! Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

Sure, sure. Talk's cheap. Actually, I had the same problem. Send a Private Message (PM) to AuggieDave and he can help. Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

Ok, after a bit of historical (hysterical?) research, here is a listing of early articles and photos of CRW... *Nov '76 Parachutist Mag. - Day Poynter writes tongue-in-cheek article entitled Canopy Contact Relative Wrok: Revolution or Evolution? Turned out he had incredible insight! *May & June '77 Parachutists - Roger Hull writes Relative Work in Slow Motion *July '77 Parachutist - Gary Douris (Instructor/ Examiner at Elsinore) writes Letter to the Editor suggesting "...USPA or the FAA should ban all such activity!" *Oct-Dec '77 issue of Starcrest has FIRST photos of World's First 8-Stack shot by Wes Green, my best friend and roommate at the time. I wrote article entitled " Canopy RW - West Coast Style" detailing the building of the World's First 8-Stack. *March '78 Parachutist - Bernie Ward (National Enquirer Staff Writer) pens article "Canopy RW - A New Era". Includes photo of my collapsed chute with me under it, held on to by Norton Thomas, on the second attempt at the world record on day-one - October 22, 1977. *January (?) '78 - National Enquirer actually publishes article and shows photos of the 8-Stack (they sponsored the weekend) Apr-Jun '78 - Starcrest Magazine - article I penned about 1978 CRW activities including "women in CRW" *November '78 Parachutist - Bob Morehead writes "Build Your Own Stack" article. Excellent color photos including "World Record 9-Stack" over Thun Field, WA located in Puyallup, WA. *Dec '79 Parachutist - Article re take-over of the CRW Awards program from Know-Sense team by U.S.P.A. Included my article "The Story of the Canopy Crests" and photos of the early pioneers in CRW. Also list of early recipients *Feb '81 Parachutist - Article I wrote entitled "First World Cup of CRW" including the rules we drafted for that first competition at Z-Hills. Well, that's it for now. The new season of 24 is just starting, and I can't be distracted - even by skydiving stuff!! Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

Hi Russ, On our pick-up team, Cheap Trick, we had I believe an Army sergeant who was new at shooting video (well, Super-8 actually) at the time. We brought him on the loads and he filmed some pretty grainy stuff that I have a copy of, including our 11-stack. Do you have any idea who that might have been? Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

Hey, I used to jump with some of those guys too - started in Feb, 1967. Haven't gotten a Parachutist (Paranoidist, as Willie would say) in years. Any chance someone can scan the article and attach it ? Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

Can't get it to attach. Have to run to dinner. Will deal with it afterwards. Tom Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

Pasi, The Ken Preble Memorial CRW Award program was started by Dave Strickland in the late '70s. I was awarded CRW# 142 on 29 April, 1978. The card reads as follows: Certifying that Tom Courbat has acted as a parachute pilot in a Canopy Relative Work hookup of 45 seconds or longer and therefore is recognized as a parachute pilot of superior skill and ability. Congratulations. {signed} Dave Strickland CRW#1 On the back of the card is an address: Strickland/CRW Peble Memorial Award P.O. Box 581 Northampton, MA 06061 Haven't heard from Dave in a long time. Maybe someone out there knows how to locate him. Blue Skies, Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

What a great history of the Xenia folks! I was always impressed with their friendliness and abilities. I just want to make a correction to the history of the record jump on July 6, 1979. It is regarding the group Cheap Trick (named after a popular singing group of the time) and its origins. I organized the group as a "pickup" team. It was not a local group, as stated in this brief history. We gathered whomever seemed to have some semblance of CRW experience and decided to have a friendly challenge with the Xenia folks. We never envisioned that we would get close to winning the informal competition. We did indeed build a legal 10-stack (I closed 10th) and had an 11 stack for about 15 seconds as we approached 1,200 ft. It was unlikely we would have held it for 60 seconds, and we were having some oscillation issues. As was common in those days, many went by nicknames, and those are what I recorded in my log book. Here are the folks in the stack, in order of entry: Flash, Jerry, Hot Dog, Mark, Lizard, Robin, Finnegan, Gary, Jim (Griggs??), Tom Courbat and Dago. If anyone was in this stack and can shed more light on who they were and where they were from, that would be great! Blue skies!! Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

Jerry is THE man. He was a skygod when I started jumping in 1967 and I agree, he never was hard to talk to or thought he was too good for anybody. So glad to hear he is hanging out at Z-Hills and there for his kids. I have nothing but total respect for the man. Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

Hi Sparky, Great to hear from you. I'm sorry to say I wasn't involved in the record attempts at Yolo in 1980, or at least I don't REMEMBER being involved in them! The biggest stack I was in was at the 1979 Nationals in Richmond, IN (7/6/79) with a pickup team I put together called Cheap Trick. We built a 15-second eleven stack (legal 10-stack) and were beat out by the Xenia folks who did the world's first 12-stack. In my recollection, there were at least a couple of very skilled women on that team. In fact, I think it may have even been headed up by a woman, but again my memory fails me. Was it Pat someone? Here's what my logbook says about who was on our 11-stack (top to bottom). Flash, Jerry, Hot Dog, Mark, Lizard, Robin, Finnegan, Gary, Jim, myself and Dago. If anyone knows who any of these folks are (or if you are one of them), give me a shout. I have a grainy picutre of the stack, and some VERY grainy film footage shot by some guy who I think was a sergeant in the Army. I believe this was his first or second time filming. Anybody know who he might have been? Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

For a couple of great shots by Andy Keach of the World's First 8-Stack, see Skies Call 2, photos 104 & 105, which was published in 1979. Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000

Hey Rondo, It was my 7-cell Rainbow Strato Cloud (all-white on top) at the top of all the Steve Haley-piloted 8-stacks from the world's first to probably a dozen or more. I organized the world's first 8-stack (see signature line below) and when Haley realized I'd broken my neck on the second attempt, he swooped in and snagged my rig (claiming I wouldn't need it for a while!). We had surmised that having a 7-cell Cloud on top would make for a more stable stack than having a 5-cell Star on top. Thing was, Haley had no money and the Strato Star was all he had, and he was always stack-pilot (Know-Sense "rules"). But once a 7-cell was at the top with Haley piloting it, the stack became way smoother and the first 8-stack was then completed. I'm guessing Norton's rig went down with him over the ocean, which you are now aware of. Don't know about my rig either. Never thought it would have historical value so I think I sold it to a student when I quit jumping in 1982. It may have been Daryl Haberman in Redding, CA, but I can't be sure, and haven't talked to him in over 20 years. Best of luck in getting the rigs together. Give me a reply and we can talk about the early days of CRW and of times in NoCal. Tom Courbat Organized World's 1st 8-Stack - Livermore, CA - Oct 22-23, 1977. Broke neck on 2nd attempt. CCR 9/CCS 35. Started CCR/CCS Program & sold to USPA. SCR 572/SCS 1000