Scenic view over Skydive Sebastian

Alright, i got the video of the 8-way that i was dragged into…  The one that was the reason why i could not have a beer earlier on Saturday.  Oh well, safety first, right? I am blogging on the CYPRES  website, right?  There must be a reason for that - no beer while jumping, CYPRES turned on, etc…

Anyhow, it is always fun to visit Sebastian, no matter what.  The flight to jump altitude is already worth the jump ticket.  I did not have much time to enjoy the scenic view during the freefall, as this world record dude across of me wanted my full attention on the skydive.

Thomas Hughes organized the 8-way jump.  He holds the current 4-way world record with Spaceland Force XP and won silver in 4-way at the USPA Nationals 2009 and bronze with Paraclete XP in 8-way.  He knows what he is doing, and he sees what you are doing…

Debriefing with Thomas Hughes

So, i had to focus on my own job and could enjoy the view of the ocean only under the open parachute.  The jump was great for a pick up group.  Kris Peterson, former Sebastian Tempest and once again Perris Moxie 8-way member, was the only other more experienced Formation Skydiving competitor in the group.

Other than the three of us, lovely Becca was with us and all four members of the new Florida 4-way team DeLand Dunamis.  Two of them were members of the NSL Rookie Class champion of 2008, Cold Turkey.  Rick Lucas is completely new to team jumping.

It was a great jump at sunset, and Becca eventually brought the beer to the debriefing station.  It tasted even better now…

Boarding at Skydive Sebastian

Turned out that it was a good decision to save the beer for later.  Eventually, Thomas Hughes asked me to join his 8-way group later on, and i made the jump. The creator of the event, Rebecca Minkin, was also with this group.  I was glad that i brought my gear and delayed the consuming of the first beer.

This is Becca - Rebecca Minkin

It would actually be the last load of the day.  There was enough time in between to ask Becca for a few words in front of the NSL News camera.  I had to twist her arm to do that.  She said she is kind of camera shy.  However, it did not show when she spoke away.  She explained what motivated her to launch this event.

She did not see many opportunities for beginner skydivers to learn Formation Skydiving, aka belly flying, when she came into the sport.  But she was so passionate about her own belly flying that she took action on the situation.  She is now working on her own 4-way team for the 2010 season.

I will try to get to the video of the 8-way jump later.  Here is the video of the interview:

Yes, there still are a lot of bootie flyers around.

Thomas Hughes

I am on a weekend trip to Skydive Sebastian in Florida.  Rebecca Minkin, a passionate 4-way fan and relatively new 4-way competitor has taken action on her new love and organizes her second annual “Becca’s Bootie Boogie”.  It is a combination of training and fun and was very successful last year.  That motivated her to do it again.

The fun part is not only the jumping in different groups and different sizes of formations.  She is also in charge of entertaining the participants after jumping is over - and she knows how to do it. Becca used to work with rock band musicians in her former life and was on tour with them.  No surprise that the evenings and nights at Skydive Sebastian during her events haved been a lot of fun.

CYPRES shows the way in Sebastian

She is so passionate that she finds support quite easily from the experts in the sport.  Thomas Hughes just came back from Dubai and is helping her to provide coaching and load organizing in Sebastian.  Three of the SDC Rhythm XP members are also on site and work with the participants, together with former Sebastian Tempest members Kris Peterson and Chris Ash.

The very scenic drop zone offers one of the most beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean’s coast.  The Sebastian Inlet is one of the most favorite sites for surfers on the east coast.  There was a short weather hold earlier, and i used the opportunity to chat with Thomas Hughes, world record holder in 4-way and new shooting star in Canopy Piloting.  He has good news for the 4-way community.

I am still collecting more footage, photos and videos, and i will try to follow up later with more stories.  I think that it is time for a lunch break, they are serving good beer here from the tap.  And it does not cost $10 like in Dubai, sorry Rob…  And the coastline here is just as beautiful as in Dubai, too.  No prize money though…

Take this back with the beer, i forgot that i brought my gear.  There is that rule that you cannot drink beer when you may still jump.  They don’t know that beer counts as normal nutrition in Germany…

Another awesome day here at the Dubai international Championships and Gulf cup 2010! The day started with a fantastic round of swoop accuracy  which had the crowd clapping at some of the near stand ups and of course the fall overs. The swoop was presented by the one and only Regan Tetlow (CYPRES sponsored :-)) Keeping the crowd entertained and the skydivers aswell with his smooth banter. I am sure that any of you that have been checking out his video posts on the CYPRES facebook page would agree that they could not have picked a better guy for the job!

After the fast paced swoop action it was time again to slow it all down and watch the guys and girls get their  aim in and consentrate hitting the O’s on the tuffet, A little cloud was spotted today in the distance which had many of us wondering what it was doing their? I suppose it made a change to the clear blue skies we have had so far.

Later on in the afternoon the classics made way to 4 way with a few good jumps to take us to yet another awesome Air show! Them seem to be going even lower and faster than yesterday. Lets see if the boys in their flying toys can manage to go any lower tomorrow!

All scores are up on the official website and availible by clicking here

Thats all for tonight ladies and gentlemen stay turned for more news tomorrow.

Well, slowly day 3 is drawing to an end. With a full stomach its time to have a quick look back on the days events!

Day 3 started of a CP round of distance with quite a few inpressive scores on the board. Their was one hard strike on the water during this round but am happy to say the he is recovering nicly. Reinier Bos was asked to come over take care of the swoop pond side of life and has already done a fantastic job in making sure everything is running smoothly waterside! Because the swoop “pond” starts out from the sea then ends on land the job is made harder by having to keep to the tide timings but looking at Rienier’s calm and collective manner it looks like he has everything more than under control (now them nice words must be worth a beer or 2 hey Reinier?).

FYI beer prices are pretty expensive at 7,50 Euro a pint (Reinier i will settle for just the one lol)

After the first round had been done it was time to get the old an bold back on the bigger canopies hitting the tiny center piece  and geting the buzzer er…..well……to buzz!

Late morning as the winds picked up 4 way team were told to suit up and get jumping! which led up to a 4ish finish to enjoy a 3 plane airshow (video coming soon) and the U.A.E team putting on a pretty impressive display jump in front of the spectators. CYPRES sponsored PD Factory Team putting on a fantastic swoop display (with a twist).  As the flew in formation one of the acrobatic planes flew around them. Totally awesome smoke everywhere…………

Scores can now be found online here
More info and short updates can be found on the CYPRES facebook page

Its good night from me and hear more from sunny Dubai in the morning

Back just in time to watch the opening of the competition, dancers, sheiks, fireworks and really good show to get everybody in the mood for the hot week to come!

Pictures on facebook!

Oh yeah nearly forgot:

4 way scoring so far
Airspeed (USA) 21 points
Canada 19 points
Hayabusa (Belgium)18 points

Stay tuned for more from Dubai tomorrow!

4 way teams Airspeed (USA) and CYPRES sponsored Hayabusa (Belguim) have just completed round one of the 4 way competition!

I will post results as soon as i have them!

Right,  back to the hotel quick shower and then off to the event opening!

Thank you Kate for your kind comment and to all others out there……. Let me know what you want to hear or see on here and i will try to make it happen. For quicker updates and pictures (untill i have fixed the upload issues here) i will be using the CYPRES fan page on facebook (just search CYPRES on facebook) CYPRES sponsored Regan Tetlow in also providing updates as they happen!

Day two started with Breakfast at 06:30 (everything you needed to keep you going till 13:00) then on the buses and at the DZ for 08:00. First loads up were the last swoop practice round for the swoop guys (and Nina:-) to get their eye in for tomorrows "real" 1st round of distance.

Because the view is so breathtaking from the top, their had been some talk about forgetting the swoop comp and instead taking turns in building 4 stacks with their velo’s so three of them could just enjoy the view ( FYI on the top of the stack the guy/girl can control all canopies)! Guess we will have to wait till the morning to find out

With the practice swoop jumps out of the way, the classic accuaracy competition took over with the dead center buzzer ring over and over again ( for latest results click )! In the afternoon the winds picked up and it was decieded to put the classics on hold and get the 4 way practice jumps finished off and if their was time get started with the 4 way!

Well day one went nicly, I am about to hit the sack for some well deserved sleep. But right now really excited as to the week will bring, We had a 3 plane airshow today and their are lots more on the list for the coming week. Tomorrow i will try and get a layout made up so that i can keep you up to date with the scoring as it happens………  Watch this space…..

On a bit of a down note, i heard a rumour that Danny the cameraman from CYPRES sponsored team Haybusa is still waiting for his parachuting gear! apparantly the airline liked the look of it so much they decieded to keep it for an extra day……. Have my finger crossed for you Danny.

Rob Kendall signing off for today………..