brenthutch 444 #1 August 4, 2006 To paraphrase Hunter S. Thompson "We had all the momentum; we were riding the crest of a high and beautiful wave. So now, less than seven years later, you can go out in a corn field in Quincy and look West, and with the right kind of eyes you can almost see the high-water mark — the place where the wave finally broke and rolled back" Here's to the old times Hutch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 851 #2 August 4, 2006 Why is everyone convinced that skydiving is in decline based on low attendance at ONE EVENT??? Aren't there more local/regional boogies that have grown larger over the past few years or just started? It costs assloads more money now to travel than just 6 months ago...consider that??? The vast mojority of the DZ's I've been to are constantly busy...planes are full...plenty of FJC attendance... I just don't see it....I see our glass is half full. anybody??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #3 August 4, 2006 Maybe events just need to be scheduled a bit further apart when possible Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #4 August 4, 2006 OK, let's just settle this here and now, once and for all: skydiving will be around until the Sun goes supernova. And the WFFC is what it is, and ain't what it ain't. So can you all just shut up about it already? The rest of us are tired of hearing about it. Thank you. This has been a public service message. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PrairieDoug 0 #5 August 4, 2006 Well said, Andy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micro 0 #6 August 4, 2006 whether the glass is 1/2 empty or 1/2 full, it's still only 1/2... at some dz's yes, the planes are full... at others, that just isn't the case. take my home dz for instance... archway, one hour east of st. louis. it's seen a steady decline as gas prices have risen. take quantum leap... a few months before their tragic plane crash, the dzo there was talking to the dzo at archway and was talking about the possibility of closing up shop due to low numbers of jumpers. and when their plane went down, it was FAR from full (perhaps due to WFFC, but even WFFC attendance was way low compared to the way it used to be. It's been in decline for a while). these are only two examples. i don't think the sport is "dying" but it certainly is cyclical. right now, it's in a low cycle. nothing to worry about though. the skydiver is not going to go the way of the dinosaur. I miss Lee. And JP. And Chris. And... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
josheezammit 0 #7 August 4, 2006 you know what, I will skydive till i die, and until then you will never meet me at the WFFC I've seen too many videos with mains on the tails of otters, and super retarded landing patterns where people ram your canopy and destroy it to ever want to expose myself to that shit. p.s. dude Hunter had drug problems and eventually killed himself is that the line of thinking you want to follow? Ahh, what a wonderful world. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usedtajump 1 #8 August 4, 2006 Events such as WFFC have a finite life, ie. the USPA Nationals Boogie which was THE thing to attend years ago but it just got stale. New things came along with a fresher approach (Freak Brothers/WFFC for example) and that's where people ended up going for a variety of reasons. Now, the cycle has come around again ind it's time to move on to the next big thing. As far as the general heath of skydiving, for the most part, its just fine and it will be around as long as there are people looking for excitement and comradship that's just a little out of the mainstream.The older I get the less I care who I piss off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick 67 #9 August 4, 2006 QuoteWhy is everyone convinced that skydiving is in decline based on low attendance at ONE EVENT??? ------------------------------------------------------------ I agree with Mark I have seen a lot of new fjc students at our dz new construction all the time to improve the already great facilities There was a great turnout for the family reunion boodie in Chester and I met quite a few newer jumpers that will be around for a long time to come I have only been in the sport for 6 years though maybe I have a screwed up perspectiveYou can't be drunk all day if you don't start early! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites lilDevil 2 #10 August 4, 2006 Its a growing sport all over the world, along with the number of events in other countrys, the world meet is the last week in July, it all comes down to $$$ at the end of the day.``````````````````````````````````` " Cant keep a good woman down " Angels have wings, but devils can fly ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites AggieDave 6 #11 August 4, 2006 QuoteNew things came along with a fresher approach (Freak Brothers/WFFC for example) and that's where people ended up going for a variety of reasons. Now, the cycle has come around again ind it's time to move on to the next big thing. You know Skyfest had record attendence this year. It was a great time too. Side note about boogies in general: You know anymore it seems that the only people that are getting excited about specialty AC are the low time jumpers that haven't jumped something different then whats at their home DZ.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites normiss 851 #12 August 4, 2006 there is some truth to that too...and the rising cost of fuel has to be a factor in the consideration. After all..they are ALL only a ride to altitude! But if you want say $70 for one type of plane and only $23 for another....I'm saving cash! gotta pay for jumps and beers! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Douva 0 #13 August 4, 2006 QuoteHunter had drug problems and eventually killed himself is that the line of thinking you want to follow? The way a person dies doesn't discredit everything he or she said while alive. Ernest Hemmingway and Kurt Cobain both had drug problems and eventually committed suicide; however, few would argue that their deaths negate the contributions they made to society and culture while alive. And if I ever develop a drug problem and commit suicide, this statement will be as true then as it is now.I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites normiss 851 #14 August 4, 2006 Cobain made contributions to WHAT??? A drug consuming rock star offers me very little in society or culture...but that is an issue I have with parts of our foolish attitudes toward them to start with! I've never understood that... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Douva 0 #15 August 4, 2006 QuoteCobain made contributions to WHAT??? A drug consuming rock star offers me very little in society or culture...but that is an issue I have with parts of our foolish attitudes toward them to start with! I've never understood that... His band pioneered a new genre of music and wrote songs that will forever stand as pop cultural icons of their day. Those are contributions to culture and society, whether you appreciate them or not. Believe it or not, a person is not judged by what he or she contributes to you. Try to steer away from the idea that the universe revolves around you--It's not healthy.I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites GTAVercetti 0 #16 August 4, 2006 What was that? I scanned quickly and did not see my name so it must not have been important and I stopped reading.Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites normiss 851 #17 August 4, 2006 never did revolve around me and sorry you read that into my statements...and I still disagree...they weren't the first...just the first commercial version of it. you even sure he committted suicide? I'm just disappointed when members of our society look up to people like that...that's prolly more unhealthy than my views. but what do I know?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites freeflir29 0 #18 August 4, 2006 QuoteWhy is everyone convinced that skydiving is in decline Cause it is. 20-30% from 2000. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites normiss 851 #19 August 4, 2006 USPA memberships? Jump numbers? New jumpers? Fewer dz's? I love statistics...much like a drunk uses a lampost...more for support than illumination Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites freeflir29 0 #20 August 4, 2006 Cash flow at DZ's across the country. Sales by shops and manufacturers. Pretty much across the board. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Douva 0 #21 August 4, 2006 Quotenever did revolve around me and sorry you read that into my statements...and I still disagree...they weren't the first...just the first commercial version of it. you even sure he committted suicide? I'm just disappointed when members of our society look up to people like that...that's prolly more unhealthy than my views. but what do I know?? There are plenty of historical figures who managed to make contributions to culture and society while still being poor role models. The people who disappoint me are the ones who lack the reasoning skills to mentally separate an individual from his or her work/contributions and therefore dismiss both the individual and the work/contributions as being unworthy of recognition.I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites NewGuy2005 53 #22 August 4, 2006 Quote His band pioneered a new genre of music Neil Young was pioneering the same genre years earlier. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Douva 0 #23 August 4, 2006 QuoteQuote His band pioneered a new genre of music Neil Young was pioneering the same genre years earlier. Okay, to be more accurate, his band helped pioneer a new genre of music. How's that?I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites normiss 851 #24 August 4, 2006 I understand that completly! having that issue with your comments at this very moment... damn this is off topic!! thanks freeflir! the places I jump it's hard to see that, but I realize there are a lot things behind the scenes that I'm unaware of. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Tink1717 2 #25 August 4, 2006 The problems associated with the record low attendance at WFFC can be linked to several factors. 1. Consecutive lack of specialty aircraft and departure of well liked specialty aircraft (Bell 412, B-17, etc...). 2. A general boycott of the event by vendors and presenters. Due to a variety of factors, mostly having to do with money. 3. Greater appeal of competing regional events that are less costly for those in the are to attend. 4. A general decline in skydiving due to the decline in disposable income in the the economy. 5. A decline in the number of jumpers in general. Some of these are more or less easily remedied by the WFFC organizers, some are way beyond the control of anyone, let alone the WFFC organizers. As to the general contraction of the sport, perhaps we will simply have to get along with less skydivers.Skydivers don't knock on Death's door. They ring the bell and runaway... It really pisses him off. -The World Famous Tink. (I never heard of you either!!) AA #2069 ASA#33 POPS#8808 Swooo 1717 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
lilDevil 2 #10 August 4, 2006 Its a growing sport all over the world, along with the number of events in other countrys, the world meet is the last week in July, it all comes down to $$$ at the end of the day.``````````````````````````````````` " Cant keep a good woman down " Angels have wings, but devils can fly ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #11 August 4, 2006 QuoteNew things came along with a fresher approach (Freak Brothers/WFFC for example) and that's where people ended up going for a variety of reasons. Now, the cycle has come around again ind it's time to move on to the next big thing. You know Skyfest had record attendence this year. It was a great time too. Side note about boogies in general: You know anymore it seems that the only people that are getting excited about specialty AC are the low time jumpers that haven't jumped something different then whats at their home DZ.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 851 #12 August 4, 2006 there is some truth to that too...and the rising cost of fuel has to be a factor in the consideration. After all..they are ALL only a ride to altitude! But if you want say $70 for one type of plane and only $23 for another....I'm saving cash! gotta pay for jumps and beers! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Douva 0 #13 August 4, 2006 QuoteHunter had drug problems and eventually killed himself is that the line of thinking you want to follow? The way a person dies doesn't discredit everything he or she said while alive. Ernest Hemmingway and Kurt Cobain both had drug problems and eventually committed suicide; however, few would argue that their deaths negate the contributions they made to society and culture while alive. And if I ever develop a drug problem and commit suicide, this statement will be as true then as it is now.I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 851 #14 August 4, 2006 Cobain made contributions to WHAT??? A drug consuming rock star offers me very little in society or culture...but that is an issue I have with parts of our foolish attitudes toward them to start with! I've never understood that... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Douva 0 #15 August 4, 2006 QuoteCobain made contributions to WHAT??? A drug consuming rock star offers me very little in society or culture...but that is an issue I have with parts of our foolish attitudes toward them to start with! I've never understood that... His band pioneered a new genre of music and wrote songs that will forever stand as pop cultural icons of their day. Those are contributions to culture and society, whether you appreciate them or not. Believe it or not, a person is not judged by what he or she contributes to you. Try to steer away from the idea that the universe revolves around you--It's not healthy.I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GTAVercetti 0 #16 August 4, 2006 What was that? I scanned quickly and did not see my name so it must not have been important and I stopped reading.Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 851 #17 August 4, 2006 never did revolve around me and sorry you read that into my statements...and I still disagree...they weren't the first...just the first commercial version of it. you even sure he committted suicide? I'm just disappointed when members of our society look up to people like that...that's prolly more unhealthy than my views. but what do I know?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #18 August 4, 2006 QuoteWhy is everyone convinced that skydiving is in decline Cause it is. 20-30% from 2000. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 851 #19 August 4, 2006 USPA memberships? Jump numbers? New jumpers? Fewer dz's? I love statistics...much like a drunk uses a lampost...more for support than illumination Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #20 August 4, 2006 Cash flow at DZ's across the country. Sales by shops and manufacturers. Pretty much across the board. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Douva 0 #21 August 4, 2006 Quotenever did revolve around me and sorry you read that into my statements...and I still disagree...they weren't the first...just the first commercial version of it. you even sure he committted suicide? I'm just disappointed when members of our society look up to people like that...that's prolly more unhealthy than my views. but what do I know?? There are plenty of historical figures who managed to make contributions to culture and society while still being poor role models. The people who disappoint me are the ones who lack the reasoning skills to mentally separate an individual from his or her work/contributions and therefore dismiss both the individual and the work/contributions as being unworthy of recognition.I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewGuy2005 53 #22 August 4, 2006 Quote His band pioneered a new genre of music Neil Young was pioneering the same genre years earlier. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Douva 0 #23 August 4, 2006 QuoteQuote His band pioneered a new genre of music Neil Young was pioneering the same genre years earlier. Okay, to be more accurate, his band helped pioneer a new genre of music. How's that?I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 851 #24 August 4, 2006 I understand that completly! having that issue with your comments at this very moment... damn this is off topic!! thanks freeflir! the places I jump it's hard to see that, but I realize there are a lot things behind the scenes that I'm unaware of. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tink1717 2 #25 August 4, 2006 The problems associated with the record low attendance at WFFC can be linked to several factors. 1. Consecutive lack of specialty aircraft and departure of well liked specialty aircraft (Bell 412, B-17, etc...). 2. A general boycott of the event by vendors and presenters. Due to a variety of factors, mostly having to do with money. 3. Greater appeal of competing regional events that are less costly for those in the are to attend. 4. A general decline in skydiving due to the decline in disposable income in the the economy. 5. A decline in the number of jumpers in general. Some of these are more or less easily remedied by the WFFC organizers, some are way beyond the control of anyone, let alone the WFFC organizers. As to the general contraction of the sport, perhaps we will simply have to get along with less skydivers.Skydivers don't knock on Death's door. They ring the bell and runaway... It really pisses him off. -The World Famous Tink. (I never heard of you either!!) AA #2069 ASA#33 POPS#8808 Swooo 1717 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
