When we are learning to skydive we get drilled into us to stay away from other parachutes for safety reasons. Then we see these crazy people who not only fly close to one another but also grab onto each others parachutes and lines. Not only do they come down smiling and laughing from their jumps but they also get a lot more bang for their buck! They get 10 minute skydives instead of 3 minute skydives. So the goal of these courses is to give participants an introduction to CRW. Get skydivers more comfortable flying close to other canopies, bumping end cells, touching other canopies and even docking building 2 stacks as pilot and pin. Then if time and skills permit, progress to 3 and 4 ways and even stairstep docks. Also throw in a few trash planes for a some laughs (especially from Michael!) and these courses are not only educational but are a whole lot of fun!
There are always 2 main requirements for participants wishing to attend this coaching camp:
1) Be keen to learn CRW
2) Be SO keen to learn CRW that you are willing to limit celebrations on New Years Eve in order to jump on New Years Day.
Tick - Bart, Tracey, Dave, Ryan, George, Adam, Sofia
The other main requirement is also obviously to have coaches who are willing to coach (Tick - Michael and Jules) on New Years Day and also a pilot who is willing to fly (Tick - Tim).
Skydive Surfside is at Moruya airport on the NSW South coast. The dropzone itself is on the 2nd storey of the aeroclub building. Downstairs there is a bunkhouse available although over New Years the entire property turned into a tent city housing well over 100 skydivers. The CRW dogs went to 10000 feet on most jumps in the dropzones regular 180 while the freefallers zoomed up to 14000 in the 10 seater cresco which was hired just for this non-boogie. Load organiser and new world record holder Cath Comyns kept the freeflyer
s in the air while Hayden Galvin kept the flockers happy.The weather gods listened to our prayers and turned on perfect weather on New Years Eve. We jumped all day and each participant got in at least 2 one on ones with Jules or Michael and some lucky ones even got in a third. George and Dave had shown that they were ready for bigger ways and attempted their first 4 way at the end of the day with Crash on top and with Glenn #2.
After the festivities, fireworks and fun of New Years eve and a little sleep in we were at it again on New Years Day. George and Adam went up for a 3 way with Jules while Sofia started the year with a 1 on 1 with Michael. Jules 3 way landed miles from the dz due to some miscommunication with the pilot and perhaps also some not so clear heads. They were lucky to find some friendly locals who hydrated them then brought them back to the dz.
The temperature guage quickly hit 40 degrees and every load to height was pure relief. Lucky we were all doing hop and pops and getting to stay up there a lot longer than the meat bombs!. Just a couple of loads into the new year a strong north westerly wind picked up and stopped us from jumping for the rest of the day. Everyone headed in all directions for the day, spear fishing, surfing, swimming in the river or at the beach, finding somewhere cool in the shade to sleep or even heading for the local rodeo. Mid afternoon the southerly change came in and cooled things down to 25 degrees but also brought the clouds. Unfortunately the southerly and the clouds stayed and stopped us from jumping on the 2nd as well. To fill in the time Michael spent the time talking about big way CRW including the Aussie and World record and also a session on
2 Way CF and the 2010 World Championships. Perhaps some of the new CRW dogs will be inspired to follow in Michael and Jules footsteps. In fact some of them are already asking about the Aussie 50 way scheduled for late 2011.Thanks to the APF and State council for providing funding to cover some of the costs and make the event more affordable for the participants. Thankyou to all the staff at Skydive Surfside for putting on an outstanding event. Thanks also to the participants for coming along and playing with my canopy, letting me play with theirs and for all the smiles afterwards. And biggest thanks to my awesome teammate and megastar Jules McConnel.
