CanEHdian

SDC Rave… Checkmate (chess pieces, but not sure which Rook would be)… Stratagem… Team Sequence (SDC-quence)… SDC Continuum… Spectrum… Fluid… SDC Mob… Gangstas… Vigilantes… Chicago Style… SDC Atmospheric… Wind Shear… SDC Soar… Team Cyclone… Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

SDC's "Untouchables" Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

Jump prices? Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

Gosh... her pic even smells like apple pie! Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

Thanks, but if you want the best, I can refer you elsewhere... and be ready to travel. Still, I'll do my best... Cheers, Al Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

Hey Chris, Excellent advice from Simon... You should come to Gan this weekend for our twin otter boogie and I'll be more than happy to help you out, maybe get a few jumps in together in between my bigger organized group jumps. Cheers, Al Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

Not bitching bro, just giving my 0.02... which I thought was pertinent to the purpose of your thread... apologies if I misunderstood. If that is what Jive Jam is all about, I will deff look into it. Kudos on taking the initiative. Cheers, Al Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

I hear what you're saying man..... but we're now talking about two completely different scenarios. I was quite aware of the level of skills that the group in general had and I was not asking to be on something that I haven't done before. I was qualified to participate in the dives that they were dirt diving. They were not doing high level Arsenal/Mandarin type VRW dives. Basically, this guy just wanted to organize his friends, that simple. But aside from not getting a decent chance to get on... it's also the way that it was done. There's no room in this sport for that kind of disrespectful attitude. And to get back to what Harry was asking, this negative experience has definitely jaded me to some extent when it comes to participating in any organized freefly events where I will not be "known" initially. And as previously mentioned, this kind of experience may very well have happened to other experienced freeflyers and could be a factor in the lack of participation in organized freefly events. Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

Hey Brian, Nice vid and cool message.... good stuff... but you really need to change your taste in music! Looking forward to flying with you again sometime. It's been way too long man... since my coach jumps in Z-hills way back when... it was actually quite fitting to run into you, one of the most influential mentors in my skydiving path, in Chicago right after we got the record.

Exactly. Bang on. Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

Yes, just like RW, it has been "maturing"... and the unfortunate part is that freefly has also inherited some of the "snob/elite" attitudes that have existed in that discipline. And to re-focus on the topic of this thread... here's one reason why freefly just may be dying off a little. I am somewhat of an experienced/intermediate freeflyer and last year I planned a visit during the winter to one of Florida's top freeflying DZs with the intent to stay current and train for the upcoming freefly world record. I spent 3 very frustrating days there doing nothing but solos and 'coach' type dives with lesser experienced freeflyers, while all the regular experienced locals & their friends did the interesting VRW/big way dives. I introduced myself on day one, signed up for load organizing, etc... and on day 3 I got tired of waiting so I attempted to 'invite' myself on one of their organized dives, at which point I was told (quite loudly in front of the group and with very much attitude) by the DZ appointed load organizer: "Duuuuude.... not unless you can honestly tell me that you can consistently pull off high level head-up & head-down 4-way VRW type dives... yadda-yadda..." Ya, ok, I got the point. So I turned around, packed my shit and drove to another DZ. I unfortunately didn't find the high level VRW dives that I was looking for, but at least I felt welcome and had fun. Still, there went another lost opportunity for me to grow and to better my freeflying skills... and I can honestly tell you that as much as I would like to participate in one of these boogies or freefly events at this or any other DZ where I am "unknown", I am very apprehensive about doing so. I can't imagine that I am the only such victim from this kind of negative experience. With much skill comes much attitude in some cases... and this can surely affect the sport. My 0.02 Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

Hey Mark, pls put my name on one of them brochures!

Dave, sorry you couldn't appreciate the time, effort and planning that went into that dive. Everyone can rest assured that all possible security measures were taken to ensure the safety of all... in the sky and on the ground. Cheers, Al Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

Does baseball count? Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

Might be in Houston soon on business and was just wondering where the Texas freefly scene was happening. I'll have a rental car, so I'm not limited to just Houston. Appreciate any recommendations. Cheers, Al Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

So, does Fla have a new HD record? Details? Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

Darn... Xmas vacation week... impossible for those of us with kids. Good luck & have fun! Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

Interesting, the SDC website has changed again: "Please remember that you need a CURRENT FAI sporting license. Also a CURRENT USPA license or foreign equivalent. You will not be allowed to be on any record jumps unless you have both." They've removed the "D" as a license requirement. Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

Hehe... Yes, of course, freefly bigways are dangerous... which is why Alchemy held 2 qualifying camps in Perris this winter and will also hold another just before the event in Chicago. Nobody gets to just slap themselves on the list. The skills and experience required to make it are a lot more demanding than what the requirements are for the D license... which makes the license irrelevant really and that's my point. For instance, someone with 1000 jumps and just a B license could have attended the camps and been selected based on their performance, but now they need to jump through a bunch of red tape hoops (exams, logbooks, etc...) to actually participate in the event. What does the license really add to this individuals freefly qualifications? (i.e. night jumps, etc...) Anyway, it's no big deal. One can always write the exams and get the logbooks signed. I'm curious, is the D license a requirement for all skydiving world record attempts? Cheers, Al Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

Azul! Que tal hermano? Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

Anything new on this? Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

Can anyone explain why a "D" license is now required to participate? Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

So far, I'm aware of UPT & Sunpath... Can anyone update this list officially? Also, who is going to have it sometime soon? Cheers, Al Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)

The best coach is not always the best freeflyer on the DZ... being bad-ass in the sky is not the only requirement to being bad-ass on the ground. Coaching requires intelligence, vision, communication and most of all, a plan (one that fits the individual). Keep that in mind while you search for the right person(s) that could help you. Talk to them, feel them out. Ask around... but in the end, you're looking for someone that you feel will be capable of relating to you. Hopefully, you'll find more than one and benefit from a variety of information and approaches. Personally, I've always found it insulting when a 'coach' would tell someone to just sign up for the 10 jumps package deal before even talking to the individual, let alone discussing a plan. If he/she is only in it for the money, you'll know... trust your gut and walk away, or you just may find yourself at a point where you need true guidance and all you'll get is "dude, you just gotta feel it man". A good coach actually cares about the sport and his/her goal is not only to help you learn how to become a great freeflyer, but also to someday be able to play with you up there - as an equal. Oh, and FYI... this type of coach will probably say "No" up front to someone who wants a HD coach jump without even demonstrating proficiency in a HU environment. If you see this, it's a good thing... he/she is a keeper.

Aside from the problems you experienced, how is the fit, comfort, etc... compared to the old one? How about 2 inner dytter pockets? Cheers, Al Time's flying, and so am I... (69-way, 108-way and 138/142-way Freefly World Records)