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On behalf of SDC I want to congratulate the teams that competed at the US Nationals in Texas.
I was once told it’s always an adventure and I believe that more and more every day. I was sending down 10EA and Dave to help back up Steve for the Nationals. Taking advantage of the Otter going down, the team decided to stash our rigs and luggage in the Otter. With airlines charging as much as $70 for a gear bag this was certainly the cheap option. We all high-fived as we headed to the airport.
We arrived at O’hare to catch our flight. 20 minutes prior to our flight leaving we were told there was mechanical issues and we were delayed. Two hours later the same message. No big deal we were still days from competing and the weather was bad in Houston anyway. Three hours and we finally switched planes and started heading to Nationals.
The plan was to meet Dave in Spaceland the same day to get our luggage. With all the bad weather that was rolling through Dave was forced to land in Arkansas. OK delayed flight, no luggage, bad weather, yep its starting to be an adventure.
The next day we head to the DZ and get registered. Still without any good weather forecast for Dave in Arkansas. I wasn’t too concerned because nobody was jumping due to the weather. In the back of my mind I was getting a little worried since the forecast wasn’t calling it to clear for a few days. Not only did Dave have our rigs but clothes as well.
Day 3: we had to make something happen. Laura Vago was riding the Otter to nationals. She offered to rent a car and drive our stuff down. She certainly was going beyond the call of duty taking the 8 hour drive. This seemed like an easy plan but we were unable to find a one way rental. We even went as far as calling Uhaul! After some research we had to rent a car to drive Laura to another city an hour a way to rent another car to make the drive. Thanks Vago you rock!
We woke up the next morning and headed out to the DZ not expecting to see Laura. She did the 8 hours in one night! Several hugs were exchanged and I immediately changed my underwear and socks! Rigs in hand we headed to manifest for a few practice jumps. Ironically Dave was able to sneak out of Arkansas and arrived 4 hours after Laura. Go figure!
The Skydive Spaceland staff did a great job getting ready for the event. Adding a new hangar and restrooms helped accommodate everyone. One thing the Boyd family did was use a new scoring system called Cam Score. This new scoring system rocked and you can expect to see it at our Nationals. The new system allowed the scores to get posted to the nationals website as soon as the judges confirmed. The system was so fast that even the competitors were checking the website verses the posted score board. I look forward to taking advantage of this new technology.
Two days of rain later the 4-way FS event started. The meet was off to a good start with occasional weather holds. The Furies were in a good race in the advanced class. First year Open class team Rhythm was holding ground in the top five. Both teams having the best jumps of the year doing a fundamental rule, “Peak at the meet”. The intensity was starting to rise the closer round ten came.
Rhythm had a great time at the USPA Nationals. Thank you so much for all of the support and well wishes from our friends. We're already making exciting plans for the winter and next year. On that note:
Tunnel Camps at Paraclete XP Nov 20 & 21 / Dec 12 & 13 -- Looking for a way to brush up on your freefall skills, or just a fun skydiving-related getaway? A tunnel trip is a great way to do both. Rhythm has added two more tunnel camps for 2009 at the Paraclete XP Tunnel in Raeford, NC,the largest, most powerful wind tunnel in the world. These camps are filling up quickly -- details here: http://www.paracletexp.com/sites/default/files/RythmTunnel_Skills_Flyer_102009.pdf
Team Projects for 2010: Rhythm is excited to announce 8-way and 16-way team projects for 2010. Want to train and compete at next year's nationals at Skydive Chicago? Whether you want to brush up your RW skills, take a break from 4 way, or augment your 4 way plans, Rhythm 8 and 16 way teams are a great opportunity. All teams will include one or two Rhythm members as coaches and teammates. Rhythm will take care of all of the organization, coordination, budgeting, and coaching. Costs and schedule are fixed and communicated ahead of time so there are no surprises. Teams will train over 4 or 5 3-day weekends at SDC, with an optional Paraclete XP tunnel camp (did you know that Paraclete is large enough to do 8 way?). Teams will be matched up by similar goals and skill levels, so whether you're new to the sport and want a fun and safe learning environment, or have competed before and want to train more seriously, this project will have an option for you. Contact janette@rhythmskydiving.com for more details.
Attention all 100, and 200 jump package holders. You must have completed all your jumps in the 2009 season in order to qualify for the discount. If you don’t the jumps that you did will be upcharged to the normal rate. This was in the contract that you signed when purchasing the jump package. November 29th will be our last jumping day of the season.
Campground residents please note that the new campground guidelines will take place this coming season for anyone that hasn’t read the new guidelines please click HERE.
Because Summer really didn’t last enough be sure to jump with us on our winter boogie schedule:
Florida Keys Boogie Nov. 5-8
The Keys Boogies is really starting to take shape. We secured all the final permits and finished booking the hotels for the staff. Click here to read the latest update. We will have both Otters on hand for plenty of airtime over a beautiful backdrop!
Sebastian Invasion Dec. 26 –Jan. 3
Don’t miss out on some more fun in the Sun! RW and Freefly organizing, Wingsuits, beach jumps, Night Jumps, Huge News Years Party. AFP students are welcome! What better way to bring in the new year!
Puerto Rico Feb. 10 – 15
Skydive, Party, Island style. Organizers for every discipline, beach jumps, huge parties. The only boogie that gives you a bottle of Rum in your goodie bag! Both SDC Otters will be onsite.
We still have plenty of jumping so don’t call an end to your season yet. Thanks as always to my incredible staff.
Rook
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