WA Mentor Update August 2018
We Are On Our Way
Skydiving is just going off in WA, and I’m not just talking about flat flying and bigways. There is a lot of Angle Labs, some star crest and B-rel days being hosted by Skydive Jurien Bay as well as some star crest days at York. We have also been spoiled by Ifly Perth that has hosted a number of events to support skydivers in WA.
All of this activity has certainly improved the skills of WA jumpers in general, and that was evident when Greg Jack came to visit at the beginning of June for a weekend of Aussie Bigways 16 ways, which turned out to be two groups; a 16 way and a 10/12 way. Steve Hogden was player coach for the smaller group providing both challenges and guidance to the participants with less experience and allowing those who had committed to the Larry Henderson event (Sept 2018) and/or the Aussie Record (May 2019) to push themselves under the watchful eye of our National Leader, Greg Jack. a big thanks to Kim Brookes and Adam Fiannaca for the camera work and Rummy for the editing of the 16 way video. The 12 way video was unedited so that participants could do some self assessment at their leisure.
This event was quickly followed by a 4 way scrambles tunnel event East vs West. The West won! WA put together 8 teams to participate in a Blast level scrambles competition of 6 rounds. All teams flew really well. Even Johnny Tan made the comment that he was disappointed at the lack of carnage. David Collins even tried to create it, but everyone flew strong. If you didn’t make this event look out for the next one or come and join in with TSE’s 4way4evrey1 at York on 11th August. You could even get a team together for the WA State Meet, to be held at York on the Long weekend 22/24 September and participate in the free coached night in the tunnel which will be held on Sunday 16th September. Flying 4 way is a great way to hone your skills and keep current so taking up every opportunity will guarantee that you will be improving.
On a matter that is just as important as freefall skills, Flavio Almelda has been hosting Basic Canopy Skills courses at York and has dates set for 11th, 12th and 24th August with only a couple of slots left and Jules McConnel will be hosting a Pull Ya Strings event at Jurien Bay on 1st September. If you have never done a canopy course, or if it has been some time since you did one, or if you have just got a new canopy, then make an effort and get familiar with your canopy and brush up on those canopy skills.
It isn’t long now before we will all be meeting on the mat at Toogoolawah and I’m so excited that there are 14 West Australians attending this event. This is an improvement from the 9 that attended the Dan BC event in 2016. Congratulations to every one of you that has made the commitment to step outside your comfort zone and strive to be the best you can be. It is great to see some new and some not so new skydivers stepping forward for this event. Welcome Maddy Gouge, Tim Hurford, Don Woodland and Darrin Scott. For those going to Toogs please ensure that you have registered for meals. The details were posted in the Event Newsletter number 2. I know you think you may be able to rush off and get yourself some lunch but believe me the days will be very busy and there will be very little opportunity for you to cater for yourself so just take the package that best suits you and it will make the camp just so much better for you. Also, if you have difficulty packing in a timely manner you might like to consider asking about packers for the event.
I know that there are some people who have expressed an interest in attending the Aussie Record but are not unable to get to Toogs. Please, ensure that you let Greg Jack know that you are interested in attending the May 2019 event, if you haven’t already. If you can’t get to Toogs have a look at the Aussie Bigways calendar to identify any events that you may be able to attend. It may mean traveling to another state but it will be well worth it. I urge you, as we head into the final 10 months, to keep working on developing your skills, ensure you’ve got all the equipment you need (jumpsuits, weights, canopy) and you are familiar with that equipment and stay current. Push yourself and get used to going outside your comfort zone because you may well find yourself there at some time during thepre-record camps and even on the record.
I am looking forward to seeing many WA jumpers at events over the next 10 months and at the Record. I’m hoping that the WA contingent will be at least 15. I’d love it if I’m wrong and the number exceeds that and is closer to 20. Go on – prove me wrong.
Recommended Posts
How Big is Big and What Makes a Record?
May 04, 2021
Contributing to Something Bigger!
April 04, 2019
FOMO – A Siren’s Call
April 02, 2019