WOW is all I can say about this last week! 

The week started off Monday with a great sunset over at Marv’s.  We are going to start a Sunset of the week photo contest.  The photos must be taken at SDC.  Please send your submissions to Erin@skydiveChicago.com by Wednesday of each week.  They will be posted in the in the Sunset of the Week forum where you can cast your votes!  The votes will be officially tallied the Monday following submission.

Tuesday I turned the big 28.  Thanks to everyone for the cards, wishes, and cake!!

The first team training session was a huge success!!  The teams arrived Wednesday night and set up camp.  We woke up Thursday and started working on the dive pool.  Each team has a designated coach that helps them work out the engineering of the points.  We keep the Otter turning with many of the teams doing back-to-backs.  Its was fun to be training with a full plane of freeflyers!!  The teams average 10-15 jumps per day for a camp total of 40!!   At the end of each day we debriefed in the hanger so everyone could see the videos and be apart of the action.

Once the teams were done jumping, the pond was packed with everyone unwinding from the day.  We are truly blessed to have such a nice place.

Friday was a little slower with some weather but the teams and a few fun jumpers got in their jumps.  Roger Ponce and crew started showing up on Friday afternoon.  It was cool to see Jim’s twin beech back on the property.

Congratulations to Amanda and Shawn who tied the knot Friday at the loading area just prior to making their first skydives.

Friday night Chris Ferrell stopped by the Tiki Bar to play some tunes for us.   It was a great hit and many jumpers even helped out with a few songs.  Keep watch on the calendar for Chris coming back. 

Thanks to David Elliot for hosting a water training Friday.  Keep in mind for many of the specialty aircraft coming for summerfest you will need a B-license.  The next water training will be July 18.  This will be the last one before Summerfest. 

I wish the best to recent AFP graduate Aaron Martinez who shipped out on Monday to join the military.

Saturday we woke up to one of the nicest days of the year!!  Blue skies for as far as you could see.  This was gearing up to be one great day.  Both Otters fired up around 8am and didn’t stop until we flew 55 loads!!   Over 110 tandems, 14 loads of team jumps, and five 2-plane shots all happened on Saturday.  We even got a visit from the Black River Productions with the travel channel!! 

                Photo By Charles Lane

Thanks to Roger Ponce and TJ Hine for organizing the big-way weekend.  It was a little battle with the weather but I heard nothing but good things from the event.   

Don’t forget June 27-29 Guy Wright will be here for more big ways!!  If you would like to be a part of the Guy Wright 36-ways please send an e-mail to Erin@skydivechicago.com with the number of jumps you have, big way experience, your desired slot, and contact info.

Saturday night the Tiki Bar scene was rocking after a great day of jumping and another delicious meal of BBQ ribs that were just falling off the bone!! 

Sunday we woke up to a nasty front moving though.  By 9am the skies were blue again and the Otters were back on the flight line.  The day started off with a 2 plane shot and the teams eager to back it up.  We were full tilt to mid-afternoon when the storms rolled back in.  Luckily the skies cleared up late afternoon to grill out. 

Sunday SDC also made the front page of the Chicago Tribune!  Thanks to Mike and Casey Deegan, and Scott Ayer for making this happen.  What a father’s day gift for Mike!  If you would like to read the article click the following link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-father-son_bdjun15,0,5498547.story?track=rs

After it was all added up 125 otter loads flew from this past Monday to Sunday!! Doesn’t look like there is any slowing down any time soon. 

I would like to formally announce that I’m running for Central Regional Director for USPA.   I would like to thank those that have already signed my petition.   I plan on helping USPA take a new direction that is more pro-jumper.  Myself, along with 12 new candidates, plan to revamp USPA and bring it up to current speed.  It is time for change and I want to help make that happen.  If you have any questions on my agenda I will be happy to share it with you.  Contact me at Rook@skydivechicago.com.

Coming up:

June 27-29: Guy Wright’s Diamond and Jewels Event (contact Erin@skydivechicago.com if you are interestd).

June 27 – July 6: AFP in a Week

June 28: High Altitude Jumps 20,000 feet

June 28: MWSL Meet #2

July 4-6: 4th of July boogie, POPS record, Freefly money Meet, Fireworks and UFO Jump!!

Thanks to everyone for a great week.

Rook