ASM Aussie Bigway Spread!

Thank you Susie McEvoy for the awesome coverage & design in the latest Australian Skydiving Magazine. For those that missed our article, you can read online here – starts page 33

 4way BLAST OFF!

Nationals in York this year were a hoot with all disciplines competing at the same venue. It is always a bonus to watch the canopy piloting along with all the other disciplines competing for Gold!

The APF launched a new rookie 4way division call BLAST. This is the 4way randoms only and I personally took on the challenge to train up a true rookie team to see how the odds would stack come competition time. It was an interesting journey to say the least, starting out late January this year with Mark (45 jumps), Josh (70 jumps), Matt (115 jumps over some years…). Our team name? Gastronauts! Yep, that wasn’t my choice of name (thanks Mark) but I eventually succumbed…

There were four team competing, all varied in skill level with a local tandem team, a local packing team, a mildly trained inter 4way team and our trained rookie team. It was anyone’s game but our trained team Gastronauts pulled out some of our best work yet and secured the Gold! Thanks also to my multi-talented husband David Loncasty, who shot camera with no busts – that always helps.

This new Blast division is loads of fun. I challenge you all to grab a couple of rookies off Brels and take them to your next competition, possibly your State Meet or the next Nationals, and truly have a BLAST! (great name Rob/Russ). The results in terms of increased fun and skill factor will surprise you. I offer my assistance to any Blast team keen to take on the journey, please don’t hesitate to contact me for a program to get you started. The full story about Blast will appear in the next ASM. Keep your eye out of this article for some additional tips.

At the Competitors meeting during Nationals, it was decided to open up more divisions of 4way as a gradient approach for anyone to enter competition at a level appropriate for a team’s skill level. Stay tuned for further announcements from the APF.

In summary:

Blast – Rookie division with 4way Randoms only.

A class – Current intermediate 4way formations however reduced to only 3-4 points per round

AA class – 4way formations excluding the slot switches from 4way Open (minus blocks 3, 5, 12, 16, 17) This means you are learning most of the 4way open dive pool in your home slot only. 4-5 points per round. A great way also to transition to Open 4way.

AAA class – 4way Open with all formations and slot swaps with 5-6 points per round

Giddy up Australia! Get into 4way skydiving, it has never been easier to have fun training and preparing for a competition in a team environment. May your skydiving never be the same again! (in a good way of course)

Bogdan and his 4way Team ‘Unloaded’

Bogdan was a true friend to all that knew him. He was kind, fun loving and passionate about his sport. Bogdan loved jumping with his 4way team, Unloaded. Their team comradery was infectious. After Round 7 at the Nationals their team was equal 3^rd placing. What an amazing achievement for their team. I can see Bogdan smiling now with that result; I can hear his long drawl shaking his head with some amusement.

Bogdan was enthusiastic jumping Bigway formations and was committed to attend our next Australian Bigway Record attempts in 2019. He understood what it was going to take to make a new record; he was focused on being the best flyer he could by attending coached tunnel programs, jumping 4way, 8way, and Bigways. He loved the skydiving journey and friendships he made along the way.

Bogdan will be missed by many. I will miss Bogdan’s infectious smile and dry sense of humour. Bogdan always greeted me with a warm cuddle, because ‘obviously your husband isn’t providing enough!’ Always the funny man enjoying life to its fullest.

I wonder why God chooses the good ones first, then someone reminded me that we pick the best flowers first, why wouldn’t God? Oh so true.

Fly free my dear friend. You will always have a place in my heart.

 

Exotic & Fun destinations for Bigways

David Loncasty and myself will be coaching littleways to Bigways at some exotic destinations this year. Click links below for more details:

Cloudbreak Boogie in Fiji – May 2017

Rel Week at Batchelor in NT – Sept 2017

REMINDER!

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN FRIDAY 9TH JUNE AT 5PM EST
FOR AUSSIE BIGWAYS PREMIER EVENTSWITH P3 COACH DOUG FORTH:

MORUYA – November 18th – 25th

YORK – December 2nd – 5th 

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION!