WA Mentor Update July 2017
Mix it up
June just went off in WA. The month started with a couple of Star Crest jumps. Congratulations to Katy Hinchcliffe for completing the last of the jumps. Now we just need to get more of the group into jumpsuits with boosters and grippers. Then there was the Big-T Mini Boogie and Hillman Farm’s Burning Van Annual Mumbles event one weekend after another. The great thing about both these events was the energy brought to them by all the jumpers. The Big-T Mini Boogie was the brainchild of Darragh Flynn who used his wonderful Irish lilt and the gift of the gab to convince coaches from every discipline to spend an unofficial long-weekend jumping with anybody that wanted to jump with them. The majority of the coaches gave their time for free which was great to see. There were also lots of sponsors providing funding, as well as giveaways. In terms of FS there were 5 coaches providing B-rel buddy jumps through to 16 ways and they were all in demand throughout all three days of the event. That goes well for the future of FS in WA. What was terrific about this event was the camaraderie between all the jumpers regardless of discipline. We even got to see a couple of the Ifly Perth tunnel instructors doing a bit of flat – no boosters or grippers on the suits but then one of them has not finished his B licence yet. Have a look at around 5:05 on the video of day 1.
During the event I took the opportunity to encourage people to register for the Aussie Bigway Doug Forth P3 Learning Camp. There are some terrific up and coming jumpers like David Collins, Tara Leigh and Sam Groot who are yet to get their Star Crests but have the aptitude and are eager to be a part of this event. I’ve set them the challenge to get their Star Crest before September so they can be on this event. I’m sure there are many more that I haven’t met yet who will be just as eager. We still have some slots but you need to register as soon as you can so you are not disappointed. Remember once you have registered you need to keep your skills and currency up so that you can be the best you can at the event. It is a learning camp but we are hoping to see you all with smiling faces as we get a few 32 plus completion on the last day of the event. Just imagine how excited Darragh will be as he puts your name down to pay your beer fine.
During both June events canopy coaches were available helping people develop their canopy skills. In addition, Bubba Phillips has been running Flight Pursuit canopy courses for novice and intermediate canopy pilots throughout June. I’d encourage everyone to do one of these courses even if you have been jumping for years there is still so much to learn. To be a great team player in big ways it is important that we never stop learning all the skills needed for successful big way jumps and that includes exits, approaches, docks, tracking and canopy flying. I encourage you all to be team players.
Update from WA Mentor Shirley Cowcher
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