storborg

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Jump Profile

  • Home DZ
    Anywhere
  • License
    C
  • License Number
    40293
  • Licensing Organization
    USPA
  • Number of Jumps
    350
  • Tunnel Hours
    1
  • Years in Sport
    5
  • First Choice Discipline
    CReW
  • Second Choice Discipline
    CReW
  1. I've made a few eels and done 50-60 eel jumps, including some CRW eel jumps, at Burning Man and elsewhere (I'm in the video above). It is certainly "fucking stupid", but so are a lot of things I do, and I think it's no more dangerous than certain disciplines of skydiving. If you're not comfortable with it, don't do it. But it is really cool. http://i.imgur.com/a3IuL.jpg If you do want to make and/or jump an eel, here are some general comments: Attachment: As mentioned above, some people use rubber bands with the intent of them breaking, other people do all sorts of stuff. Personally, I use snagless carabiners, connecting the top to a front riser loop, and the bottom to a pull-up cord tied into my laces. I keep that shoe a bit loose so I can easily kick it off. Although I haven't had to chop on an eel jump, I think I would be able to easily. It's worth noting that you only deploy the eel after your canopy is all sorted, so the odds of having to chop are a lot lower. Flight: Attaching to one front riser and one shoe hardly puts any "turn" on you at all, even on ellipticals at WLs of 1.4+. The drag is noticeable but not bad--it is advisable to use at least double fronts on landing, or else you might find yourself with a lot less flare power than you want, depending on the canopy. The eel won't hit the ground before you unless it's very heavy fabric, so you don't really have to worry about it snagging or someone stepping on it. Using an aggressive landing will help that even more. Here's a dim and dusty landing photo for example: http://i.imgur.com/dVdvF.jpg Airspace/Deployment The person you are the most at risk of wrapping is yourself. I prefer to deploy from a leg-mounted container, so that the eel always stays to the side and never comes directly in front of me. Some people use chest-mounted containers and are just careful to keep it always to one side. Obviously, you don't want to fly directly in front of someone else if you're flying an eel, and don't be an idiot in the pattern. Fabric: I've used 0.7oz "ZP" from kitebuilder.com, 1.1oz ZP and F111, and this cheap "polyester silk stuff": http://bandshoppe.com/catalog/productDetail.do?p=Poly_China_Silk_Flag_Fabric ZP works but it has disadvantages: it's expensive and it is incredibly loud. My favorite by far is the polyester silk: it is cheap, quiet (you can talk to your comrade in a 2-stack), a bit lower drag, and packs up small. I have a 4' x 60' eel made out of that stuff that will pack up to about the size of a super burrito. I think some of the colors come in 25yd lengths, so you can make an eel with as little sewing as possible if that's your style. I haven't abused the polyester silk a lot, so I don't know it will hold up compared to ZP, but it seems good so far. Construction: Can be as simple or as complex as you want. At the very least, put a double-fold hem on every edge (otherwise it will fray like crazy!). Ideally, use french seams for any internal seams. Reinforce the leading edge and the corners especially. For colors, go high-contrast: a solid light blue eel will be pretty boring for anyone watching from 4,000 feet away. Best of luck, and enjoy Burning Man.