Chris Wolff has reached another milestone by being fully released on his last jump during the Operation Enduring Warrior October training camp at Skydive Arizona. Though there is still much to do before Chris gets off student status, we could not be prouder of his accomplishment.
Just had to share this 🙂
We are looking forward to the Wolff Pack’s return for more jumping and tasty treats.
Back in February, OEW students Ryan Newell and Chris Wolff came to Skydive Arizona to learn how to fly their bodies during an intensive wind tunnel training camp with AXIS Flight School. Eight months later, they are back to start their jump training in pursuit of reaching the USPA A-License and beyond. The long break had several culprits, the largest one being the covid 19 epidemic. However, the months between their last visit also gave the team (UPT, OEW, AXIS) ample time to sort out equipment considerations that have to be addressed with every new OEW student. Each person has unique physical limitations that must be compensated for with custom equipment and training.
On October 21st, Ryan and Chris flew for 90 minutes in the tunnel, courtesy of Skyventure AZ. After getting reacquainted with the wind, Brianne started their first jump course (FJC). Over the next two days, both Ryan and Chris took to the skies learning via training-tandem progression with Adventures in Skydiving instructors Rich and Aaron. As the boys become more aware and comfortable with the demands of the sport, Brianne and Nik conducted more ground training before their first jumps on the 24th. Joost Luysterburg, a local instructor, was kind enough to donate some of his time to help Ryan and Chris during preparations and jumping.
Now about a week and a half into their training, Chris is still going strong with jumping and tunnel flying. Unfortunately Ryan has to take a break due to an injury sustained during a landing. Though his training is currently on hold, Ryan only sees this as a “bump in the road”, and is not deterred by this turn of events. We wish him well and are looking forward to his return.
I would like to thank UPT‘s Riley Marshall, and Lesley Gale at SkydiveMag for showing off some of my photos and videos in a feature article about the Skyhook (MARD). To learn more about the Main-Assisted Reserve Deployment system, and how it differs from a Reserve Static Line (RSL), check out the full article MARDginal Analysis.
Brianne Thompson cuts away with the Skyhook, filmed by Niklas Daniel over Skydive Arizona, Video by AXIS Flight School.
The Crucible is just over a week away!
This fun event, created and organized by AXIS Flight School®, exposes participants to the challenges of competition, while meeting new likeminded flyers. The Crucible is a great learning opportunity for those who wish to take their flying abilities to the next level.
Click here to register (Limited to 12 slots)
The competition format is an all-play-all tournament, in which each competitor meets all other competitors in turn. Each participant flies with every other participant once. Athletes try to accumulate wins into a final statistic by collecting as many points as possible in a 35 second working time. The Crucible round-configuring-system is a fair way to determine a winner from amongst all participants. One or two bad performances do not jeopardize a competitor’s chance of ultimate victory. Therefore the Crucible tournament fosters a fun and inclusive environment.
All participants are guaranteed to showcase their skills for the entire duration of the event. Final scores of the competitors represent the results over a longer period against the same opposition.
On average a Crucible Tournament takes four hours to complete from arrival to departure. This includes the competitors brief, prep time, short breaks, flight time, and awards ceremony.
Each flyer showcases their individual flying skills during two rounds called the Speed Maze. The solo flyer races against the clock in order to collect as many points scattered around the tunnel walls as possible. There will be pads on the tunnel walls, numerically sequenced from 1-10, and the competitors have to tag them with their hands or feet in numerical order. Once a competitor tags number 10, s/he repeats the sequence from number 1 until the end of the 35 seconds working time. The points collected during the speed maze rounds are added up and are part of every athlete’s total score.
Helpful Links:
Register (link to Square online store)
Random Draw Generator (select FS, AXIS, and Open)
Though the Performance Designs Tour Reps were not be able to make it out in person to Skydive Arizona this year – they shipped a whole box of Sabre3 demos to AXIS Flight School instead! Over the weekend, Nik and Brianne helped jumpers demo the new Sabre3. The canopies were 100% FREE to demo and available in 210, 190, 170, 150, 135, 120, 107, 97, and 89 square feet.
Photo by Kay Robinson
If you missed your chance to try out this amazing wing over the weekend, make sure to contact PD and ask them about their “Fly before you buy!” program. FYI, the box is currently on its way to Skydive Elsinore for next weekend 😉
Ray Lardizabal having a blast with the new Sabre3 over Skydive Arizona. Photo by Niklas Daniel.
The best things come in threes. For over 40 years the PD engineering team has challenged and proven what’s possible with modern canopy design. And they did it again. The Sabre3, the third canopy in a lineage of amazing, world-renowned wings, is not just a new wing, it’s a better wing. It redefines the Sabre name. Crisp handling, consistent on-heading openings, huge dynamic speed range, incredible landings, more power, and seriously responsive to inputs. PD Athletes and Test Jumpers agree that this will be one of the most sought-after canopies in the world for intermediate to expert skydivers, the next greatest all-around 9-cell modern canopy.
The goal of any warm up is to prepare ourselves physically and mentally for our upcoming activities. Therefore, we need activity-specific functional stretching exercises that utilize sport specific movements. To implement these, get to the DZ early so you have enough time to warm up. After getting settled and checking all your equipment, we recommend walking or jogging around the landing area for five to ten minutes. That way you can get the blood flowing as well as get a chance to check the wind conditions and any other important information you may have otherwise missed. In the event you do not have the luxury of a lot of room, you can use this small-space exercise routine to get warmed up. When performed correctly, this set of dynamic stretches can result in positive training adaptations to improve performance. They do so by mimicking the activity you are about to undertake. Do not just go through the motions. Set your intentions on using good technique.
Disclaimers: Always consult a physician before starting any exercise program. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. AXIS Flight School will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of information contained in this video including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.
Charcoal color. Photo by Keith Fournier.
A potent combination of yummy material and fresh art work. These super-thin, soft, long-sleeve tri-blend shirts are available now at Square2. Snag yours now while supplies last!
Color choices include:
– True royal tri-blend with black ink,
– Solid black tri-blend with silver ink,
– Grey tri-blend with black ink, and
– Charcoal tri-blend with silver ink.
I would like to thank Dave at Skydive Radio for making my image below their pic of the week! Skydive Radio is the world’s leading internet radio show dedicated to the sport of skydiving. Weekly episodes include commentary, feature interviews with industry insiders, listener-contributed photos, and e-mails from an audience that spans the globe.
