flyingmontana

I actually have a lovely purple Hornet (150) that came in a trunk full of stuff that a guy sold me (he wanted to get rid of all his gear at once) when I bought his container... I'd be happy to sell it, as I jump smaller Sabre2's and won't be needing it... message me if interested.

What a drama queen...no wonder her one year in the sport has felt like 15 to her. Every day is an endless series of brushes with death...

I did intermediate 4-way at 2011 nationals and one of my teammates posted photos of the dive flow sheets on his Facebook page. They're a little hard to make out but understandable. If you PM me your email address I'll download them and send them to you. (Unless you find a simpler solution first!)

Looks like the room at the Lodge already got snapped up! That was fast! Thanks, whoever took it, and I hope you enjoy it! See you all at next year's boogie once health issues are resolved.

Unfortunately I have to cancel my trip to the LP boogie this summer, due to medical reasons. I had reserved 6 nights at the Lodge at McGregor Lake and that room is now AVAILABLE! There are only 5 rooms there so if you want to stay there call Carolyn right away and grab my room! Also this would help me out a LOT since I can't get my deposit back unless the room gets filled! :) Please pass the word on! The price is terrific and the comfortable bed/hot shower is a great luxury, only a couple of minutes from the DZ!

Last summer was my first time at Lost Prairie and it was such a fantastic boogie. Awesome free coaching from Arizona Arsenal--and I loved jumping with Mad John so much that I followed him to Nicaragua and onto the infamous "Wet Spot" load. So I really do have to go back to LP to purge those watery memories and get my bird canopy back up in that blue Big Sky.

As a veteran of the Nicaraguan Swim Team Tryouts I'm wondering if Oceanside is really oceanside, or if the ocean is at a good distance from the landing area? Just wondering if I need to bring my lifeguard boyfriend to jump with me when I come... :)

That earthquake drill was one of the most surreal things I have ever experienced. It was right after the fateful Ocean Load, after being fished from the sea by the fishermen, totally traumatized and exhausted, I eventually staggered up to the hotel to try and contact my family by Skype, and what do I see as I enter the ground floor but rubble strewn all over the place and a body lying at the foot of the stairs with guts spilling out of his stomach and blood all over him. I seriously thought I must be HALLUCINATING from shock. I could not understand why other workers were standing around not even paying attention to this body... then I finally notice the paper on the wall stating that today was an earthquake simulation emergency drill for the staff. It was the icing on the cake to my most memorable day ever!! Ha ha!

Hi, I was wondering if I could ask for a little more information about the team you're putting together? I live south of Toledo and have been wanting to check out Start Skydiving for a while. I've been jumping for almost 2 years and have almost 600 jumps; I just began seriously training 4-way a few months ago. I competed at Nationals in October with Mario Mauro as a player-coach for the pick-up team I put together. We competed in Intermediate and averaged about 7 points, not too bad since 3 of us had no experience at 4-way at all. My desire is to become as good at 4-way as possible. I look forward to hearing from you. Montana Miller [email protected]

A vote here for Skydive New England, and how I wish I were there right now while the leaves are blazing with color!

Those girls at manifest, I suspect, will say anything to get you to shut up.

As a first-timer, I was so impressed with this boogie--it exceeded my expectations and my fears were eased (someone who'd been there in the past warned me I might be involuntarily divested of my clothing). After jumping with Mad John all week, I would follow him anywhere. Maybe even to Nicaragua! And most amazing of all was the chance to be coached by Arizona Arsenal. Plus, it became clear at last why they are named Arsenal, when I saw Curtis trudge out to the landing area with a small rifle and shoot a prairie dog. I will most certainly be back next year and for years to come.

I jump often at Perris, where there's been lots of emphasis and discussion these past months about "keeping your head on a swivel." I work at a big midwestern university where students are horrendous (potentially drunk) drivers. After a weekend at Perris last spring, I was back home and just pulling out of the campus parking lot on a green light when a student in a pickup truck went speeding right through the intersection (his light had been red for a while, but he just wasn't paying attention). I truly feel that the habit of keeping my head on a swivel was what saved my life that day, because I noticed his approach and lack of deceleration before I entered the intersection and was able to brake in time. Of course, my mom is still terrified of the fact that I skydive but fine with me being a professor.

Thanks to both of you for the responses. Sounds like I should have a rigger take a look, and repack it before jumping again? With the temperatures over 100 degrees today, I'm worried about those melting rubber bands...

My rig is in my trailer and I can't go to the dropzone for a few more days--meaning it's going to have been in there for about a week in this intense heat wave. The trailer is locked so I can't have someone get it out for me, and it's not well ventilated. Should I be worried about damage?