July 7 2009

Skydive Chicago

Corn is knee high by 4th of July!

With the rain that we had throughout last week that is certainly true.  Cloudy skies this past week lead to a slow paced week but we took advantage of it to start preparing for Summerfest.  We are preparing for the biggest one yet.  Click HERE to see the latest info.

The skies seemed to clear up Friday for Guy Wright and his 40 ways.  Friday also turned out to be a rather busy day.   Guy kept his group on a pretty aggressive schedule.  Rhythm and Standard along with plenty of fun jumpers and students kept both Otters turning most of the day.  We came close to 50 loads on Friday alone!  Thanks to Guy, TJ, and Deb for organizing.

Friday afternoon Herman brought over the helicopter and made short work pulling the doors off.  The jumpers lined up for the opportunity.  Thanks to Herman and we are working on bringing it back for Summerfest!

Saturday we woke up to overcast skies and light rain.  This was the forecast all day until sunset.  BIG thanks to Scott, Jeff Alexander, Todd, Jeff Breast, Allen, Alex Verner, and the crew for setting up the fireworks show in the rain!  They certainly earned this show.  Good news is that this is the first time that they have been rained on so I guess we are doing well.  Guy took advantage of the weather by hosting a seminar.  Many campers embraced the rain and couldn’t be stopped playing volleyball, canoeing, even swimming in the pond.

The fireworks show went off without a hitch as usual.  Due to the weather we were not able to get a UFO jump in.  Good news is that we now can double up on our Summerfest show!  If you thought last years show was cool wait till you see this one! 

After the fireworks show local jumper and organizer Ben Crooch jammed out at the tiki bar.  The tiki bar was full of excitement with the buzz from the show and a few cocktails!  Thanks to Ben, Max, and Melissa for keeping the jams going.

Sunday morning was slow moving to some but Guy had his group ready to go at 8am!  Even more impressive is that Mike Wittenburg rallied the freeflyers for the money meet to have wheels up at 7:45am!  Once the Otters fired up they didn’t shut down till 60 loads later!  Thanks to Dave and John for keep the Otters flying fast!

The early start Sunday morning lead to the completion of the 10th Annual Freefly Money Meet by noon.  Thanks to Sunshine and Drew for judging the meet and all the camera flyers.  Drum roll please…..in the Advanced class 3rd place was Robin “I still rock after having my child” Alotta!  In 2nd place Raj, and in 1st Dan Antic!  Congrats!

In the open class was a two-way tie for 3rd between Doug Lagally and Don Grahm, and another tie for 1st/2nd between Mike Macino and Sean Hutto!  Way to go guys!

Congratulations to Beth Schipke who made her 300th skydive and Mike Deegan who did his 400th this weekend!

Shannon from the Furies helped out organizing this weekend.  Jumping with small groups and helping out jumpers with her 4-way experience.  Thanks Shannon and the following is a post from her:

Coming up July 11-12, is our annual 3-way RW scrambles! This is your chance to show off those belly-flying abilities, pick up some new techniques, make new jump buddies, and of course, work with the Furies! For those who have never done a scrambles, it is a friendly competition where teams will be formed according to skill level, so that every group has an equal shot at winning. It's a great way to learn the basics of RW and form teamwork skills that apply to almost any skydiving situation. Plus, it is a blast! Here are the details:

Who: Open to all skill levels. Join as an individual, and we will put teams together that morning. The best teamwork mentality usually wins!
What: 6 jumps total per day. Video and coaching will be provided for all jumps. (can participate both days or just one)
Fee: $25.00 per person per day plus jumps
When: Meeting at 9 a.m. sharp, both Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Meet in front of the big screen TV in the southeast corner of the hangar...at SDC!

The cabins are now equipped with A/C.  The price is going up to $50/night and they sleep up to 4 people.

Last Sunday with the high winds Erin and I went to check out the new windmill farm that some of you have seen to the southeast of the DZ.  We all know that Skydiving isn’t the most green sport we can do but we are trying to help in every way we can.  SDC recycles all glass, plastic and cardboard. EAT UP uses green products including cups made from corn.  They have a compost pile and a community garden.  Please remember that it takes more then one time of recycling a bottle to help make a difference.

Coming up:
July 10 Water Training
July 11-12 3-way scrambles
July 12 Swoop Club
July 24-Aug 2 SUMMERFEST! 

Thanks to everyone for a great safe holiday. 

Rook