Captains Announcement June 2021

HELLO all you awesome Aussie Bigway skydivers!

It has been a quite a while now since we have got out much in the way of an update to you all. ABW has been a hive of activity behind the scenes and after much discussion and agreement between the team members, we would like to make the following announcements and provide the subsequent information regarding upcoming ABW events.

POSTPONEMENT OF NATIONAL FULL BREAK SEQUENTIAL RECORD EVENT
ABW has decided to move this record event to later in 2022

 Due to the constant changing situation caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic, we have been facing many challenges planning any type of National Camp or Event – especially if it involves interstate travel. We only have to look right now at all our friends in Victoria, who very recently suffered through their fourth lockdown and still have post lockdown restrictions; and I recently travelled to Perth and was immediately in lock down on arrival for 3 days! We will look to reschedule National Events later in 2022 where we feel our state borders will well and truly remain open and all of our team nationally will have an equal opportunity to gain currency and be able to attend.

STATE RECORD EVENTS 2021/2022
ABW is organising State Record Events

We are following WA and SA State Parachute Councils lead in organising State Record events around the country. Worthy to note, State Records have never been done in the States of Victoria, NSW or QLD!  ABW is working towards having all States to adopt the same State Record Rules format for consistency.

As of writing, NSW and QLD area Parachute Councils have adopted the WA and SA rule model for records. Victoria is currently pending however we are quietly confident (fingers crossed) they too will adopt the State Records Rules for their area.

Therefore, all skydiving disciplines, not just FS/Bigways, will be starting from a clean slate for the Eastern States. In terms of Bigway records, we will be working within these categories:

• Single point largest formations
• Sequential records of 35% grip changes
• Full break sequential records
• Round formation records
• Women’s records in all categories above

Giddy up Australia! We have some fun and challenging events coming your way!

WHAT ARE THE STATE RECORD RULES?

The current APF Sporting Code with a twist

All State Records will abide by the current APF Sporting Code for State Records, replacing “National” with “State”, and replacing “75% must be Australian Citizen/Resident” with “75% must be club affiliated within that State area”.

How do we know what is our Club Affiliation?
This is confirmed within your APF Membership details. You might like to check online right now by logging into your “my profile” page to ensure your DZ affiliation is correct. 

But there have been plenty of records set in the Eastern States. What about the 81way in Corowa? Isn’t that a NSW State Record?
Good question. These records were National Records not State Records. They were never ratified at State level by a submission of the required paperwork confirming the current adopted rules of 75% club affiliation. We are not able to ratify previous records retrospectively. The ABW Team, along with the State Councils, have done this work behind the scenes; now let’s get out there and set some State Records!

There is a Nth and Sth QLD area council. How does this work for QLD State Records?
North and South Queensland have joined forces for one combined area for QLD State Records. As most of the Byron Bay club affiliated members live in QLD, Byron Bay will join QLD in making up the numbers of their 75% club affiliation for setting State Records.

What about judging the State Record?
This will be the same as with any other record event requiring an onsite judge. I would like to thank the State Judges in advance as we promote and prepare for State Record events over the coming months. Judging is a completely voluntary role, providing this essential service to our skydiving community. They will come alone and will be one of the team. These attending judges want you to achieve a record as much as we do. Records do not always come easy and the only reason we didn’t get one is – we didn’t get one!  Remember to treat our judges with due respect for the role they will be playing in us achieving State Records. Thank you Judges! 

THE CURRENT ABW TEAM
We have had a few changes to the ABW team 

Captain: Greg JackNational Coordinator: Tracey Basman
National Coordinator’s Assistant: Martin Klapper
Skills Development: Melissa Harvie
Bigway Consultant: David Loncasty
WA State Leader: Shirley Cowcher
NT State Leader: Momo
SA State Leader: Sandy Nieuwenhoven
VIC State Leaders: Janine Hayes & Nicole Kearns
NSW State Leaders: Andrew Barker, Mark Higgins, Riss Anderson
QLD State Leaders: Ben Nordkamp, Martin Klapper, Kristina Hicks, Karen Fuller 

A big welcome to our new State Leaders:

• Karen Fuller, heading up Nth QLD
• Riss Anderson, championing the women’s bigway events in NSW
• Nicole Kearns, heading up Nagambie in VIC

We thank our previous hard working State Leaders, who may be moving onto other vistas, having a holiday or plan to coach only at this stage: Joe Rummy Clarke, Christian Peric, Kelly Brennan, Laurence Garceau (LG), and Alan Mossy Moss.
Lastly, a big welcome back to Tracey Basman after her year-long break taking a much earned rest and in meeting other challenges.
Visit our website for details of how to contact the ABW Team – www.aussiebigways.com/contact

ABW MISSION STATEMENT
What drives the ABW Team members?

Inspiring a national community of skydivers to achieve safe and successful bigway formations through best practice events.

FUNDRAISING
APF / Council funding is not what it used to be

Due to the COVID19 pandemic, our skydiving environment has changed. This has impacted the ability for funding of events from an APF and State Council level mainly due to huge reduction in the number of tandem descents being conducted within Australia. With that said, Aussie Bigways will be undertaking fundraising ventures in an effort to support the funding of our events and keep participant registration fees as low as possible. All funds raised will assist in supporting:

• Minimum Event Registration fees
• Coaching Slots and Fees
• Camera Slots and Fees
• Plane Ferry Costs
• Travel & Accommodation costs for National Events

 FUNDRAISING ACTIVITY – JERSEYS FOR SALE

Please support our Events!

Our first fundraising endeavour will be selling the remaining Perris 2019 Jerseys (White long sleeve with Aussie Flag) at a price of AUD$50.00.

There were jerseys remaining post the event that we will now sell at this reduced price. If you would like a jersey for yourself or someone else, please contact Tracey Basman at traceybasman@hotmail.com If postage is required, this will need to be added to the cost.

More fundraising endeavours will be presented soon. We hope you support our efforts in making our events happen despite all the recent obstacles we have been encountering!

UPCOMING STATE RECORD / NOTABLE EVENTS

We have the following events scheduled for 2021 with more to follow – this is a good start! 

Event Promotion is just getting started so watch for Social Media postings and Event emails.
You are welcome to contact the organisers below if you feel you cannot wait to get on that load! 

3 – 5 Sept	NSW State Record event organisers Greg Jack, Melissa Harvie and Mark Higgins
24 – 26 Sept	QLD State & National Round Record organiser Kristina Hicks
22 – 24 Oct	NSW Full Break Sequential Record organisers Andrew Barker and David Loncasty
8 – 11 Nov	Remembrance Day Event at Toogs’ organiser Ben Nordkamp
12 – 14 Nov	QLD State Record organiser Ben Nordkamp

HOW BIG IS BIG AND WHAT MAKES A RECORD?
“Let’s make Big Ways and if they result in records, at any level, then let’s acknowledge them. It’s all part of the fun.” Shirley Cowcher

An excellent article authored by Shirley Cowcher, long term ABW State Leader
CLICK FOR ARTICLE HERE

Our plan is to support however possible the ABW State Leaders as they prepare through training and currency, the build-up and preparation of its members for these State Record Events over the next six months or so. Then we will plan towards the end of 2022 to hold an Australian National Full Break Sequential Record Event.

Everyone, please jump safe, let us be sensible with our personal decisions and actions, lets ride this COVID 19 challenge out together as a Team and look forward to our national reunion in the sky as soon as it becomes possible.

Blue Skies,
Greg
ABW Team Captain