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rehmwa

Tunnel Freeflyers

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Three of us in the Midwest just got back from tunnel camp.

Unforetunately, no pics like Rosa had, yet.

The tunnel is so much better than last year with the stronger fans, (bring weight belts) and the new plexi layout. We didn't take our own pics, but the camp did and I'm waiting to post them.

On Saturday night, about 20-30 freeflyers (I'm only a passable headdowner and sit flyer) all got together and did a competition/gettogether.

MY GOD!!! This was a great crowd of people, super friendly.

:)
I "ALMOST" want to take a season off of 4-way and work on my freeflying. But not enough time and money to choose both[:/]

If any of you guys were in there, thanks for the show and the smiles. Post some pictures and comments.

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

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I "ALMOST" want to take a season off of 4-way and work on my freeflying.



he-he-he :)Seeing a Freefly video is what motivated me when I was in AFF. Thats all I really want to do - is learn to be a good Freeflyer (though I think having RW skills first is important -IMO). Watching the badasses in the tunnel is very cool.

Anyway... come on over to the "dark side". We are very friendly over herre. :D

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I took no pics of my own, either, but their pics will be sooo awesome. Just you wait! Also, I may also go to a freefly tunnel camp and work on my vertical skills. I did a little 7.5 minute freefly session last time, and I was told that any form of flying will help my skydiving, in general. Also like you, my friend, my personal dedication is to be absolutely awesome at 4-way.

Do you agree that 4-way or even a good 2 or 3-way is a little like sex? It is just so incredible when each teammate is in-sync with each other and anticipating how you will move. When you fall into the rhytmn and begin to really go through the dive moving as one, faster and faster, until "release" at breakoff...or until the "red-light" is on! LOL! I was even out of breath after those 2.5 minute tunnel session dives. :P

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BK - I already freefly, but what these people were doing whas top level acrobatic stuff. To compare them to 4-way, I'd say they were equivalent to the teams doing 16 point averages and up to the world class teams. It was absolutely glorious.

You are right, super friendly. I'm sure if I'd brought my 'baggy' jumpsuit (you know, the tie-dye one with no booties?) that most any of them would have gone right in with me just to show me some things.

"Usually" the best people in a skydiving discipling can be super supportive.

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

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Rosa - Nice icon. Finally a clear pic of your face. And, by the way, everyone in the tunnel looks good regardless of sweat. Like little babies learning to walk - so excited and open.

If I have a 2 way, it's usually freefly instead of RW. But as far as it being like sex, well, there are three things that pull me in and completely occupy my focus to exculsion of other stuff - skydiving, climbing and sex, and skydiving and sex require others to participate. That intensity is very important to me and I'm fortuneate to have a few activities that give me that 'total' enjoyment. But your description is compelling, feel free to write like that all you want :ph34r:

I am very sorry to have missed you and Turtlespeed and the other dz.commers by only a few weeks. However, we did come up with a friend's wife and because of you, we always just 'happened' to go along with her when she went alone at night. (;)although she would likely have done more damage than gotten as her uncle had taught her many Marine tricks and few other dirty ones in dealing with perverts). Honestly though, thanks for that - see how you help even strangers?

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

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BK - I already freefly



I know - I got that from your post. I have seen some other posts of your's around, and I know you are VERY passionate about 4way - so I was just teasing you. ;) Never know when someone will shift passions. :D All in all I think the more you can learn about each discipline, the better flyer you'll be overall. :)

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You are so right about whole body flying. I feel bad for the one style is enough crowds.

But to move to that level I'm sure I need to devote entire seasons to the moves AND coaching.

{{It would be worth it}}

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

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Honestly though, thanks for that - see how you help even strangers?



Thanks. :$

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If I have a 2 way, it's usually freefly instead of RW.



Well, in the tunnel, there is usually only room for 2-4 participlnts (or 5 "Rosa's"... LOL!) doing RW moves, sooo...
Also, yes, I felt like a "baby learning to walk" in the tunnel. It's true! It's true! LOL!

Sex, climbing and skydiving...those three are the ultimate fantasy three activities that anyone could do. :)

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If you really want to focus, get into lead climbing. I just started lead a month ago (climbing in March) and our local gym has ceiling routes - it's difficult and new and I love it. That'll get the blood pumping.www.verticalendeavors.com

I was really hoping some of the weekend freeflyers would have seen this topic. They were great. Too bad, at least I get to correspond with a couple super ladies :$

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

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If you really want to focus, get into lead climbing.



:ph34r: Well, I used to lead climb overhanging routes regularly (usually 5.10+/5.11s) indoors/outdoors about 5 years ago. LOL!

I learned to climb lead very quickly (after a couple of months of climbing). It was quite a surprise to myself, as well as to all the strong men who saw my quick progression. (Hey, I am light, strong and coordinated! What can I say?) I haven't climbed AT ALL for years, though. :( I may begin to climb again if I can find the time.

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My bad/apologies, from other posts I thought you'd just started. Now I see better. That's really good, I'm not there yet.

In fact, I'm just now entering 5.11s - it's a difficult step and I can only do the 5.11s if I'm VERY current (climbing 3+ times a week).

That's what I get for assuming.

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

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My bad/apologies, from other posts I thought you'd just started.



LOL! No, reread my climbing posts! LOLOLOL!

I just began SKYDIVING this year (licensed since May), but I haven't climbed at all in years! Besides, my left knee is really screwed up right now, so it's a good thing that I am not trying to climb on it.

Kelli (Skycat) began to climb in August, I think, and she climbs regularly with Hooksnswoop. JTval is the other person who wants to learn to climb. I am supposed to take him climbing in Redrocks (which I have never been to) soon.

You know, personally, I was not ever too current as a climber, but it didn't matter. (Imho, it really doesn't matter for your progression either way.) My very best weeks, I would go twice a week to the climbing gym or once indoors, once outdoors. Usually, it was once every two weeks. Outdoors ~ maybe once a month. I just had a freakishly fast progression, that's all. :)
Ooops! typos
Btw, I am not sure if I could do the 5.11s NOW as my upper body strength has GREATLY diminished. :( Of course, my technique remains intact...

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Women tend to be better climbers because of the (normally) weaker upper body.

Drives better balance and technique.

I learn more climbing with women who are good climbers, but there's no substitute for climbing with a pro who's about your same size and proportions - regardless of gender. I have a buddy in Estes Park who's at a 14 level. It's very humbling.

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

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Women tend to be better climbers because of the (normally) weaker upper body.



However, when a woman has developed her upper body strength to be able to lead OVERHANGING routes 5.10+/5.11, she is using A LOT of upper body strength, no matter what. :P LOL!

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there's no substitute for climbing with a pro who's about your same size and proportions - regardless of gender.



That is not necessarily true. You should be able to try out different movements that YOUR body can make and see whatever works best for YOU in different situations while climbing. (Like when you are in the tunnel.) Personally haven't climbed regularly with women either. I am only 5 ft. tall (like Lynn Hill!), so I have my own style and technique.

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tI have a buddy in Estes Park who's at a 14 level. It's very humbling.



Yes, it is. What is your friend's name? The climbing community is so small. Me...I decided to take up climbing on my own (like with the skydiving), so I met friends to climb outdoors with through my then climbing gym. The men that befriended me were some of the better local climbers (easily 5.12++ lead and up)

I climb routes based on the body movement that feels right to me (instinct) once I am in my "rhythm". I could not give you beta on routes because I tend to be experiencing most climbs that I am on for the very first time. It feels more natural for me to constantly try a new route, figure it out in the moment and to move on. I probably would have had to consistently work on routes if I had kept climbing and began to climb 5.12 leads and beyond.

I only tried 5.12s indoors a few times. Yes, it was really hard for me indoors...at my size as the holds, that were set by much taller route setters in the gym, were pretty spaced out. (My short armspan is only so long.) Technically, my "hardest" finished was an outdoors 5.11c lead (Labyrinth @Williamson's Rock), when I was (GASP!) somewhat new to lead climbing. I didn't redpoint the 5.11c lead, but I finished it after hanging in my harness at one or two spots.

We should climb together sometime. It's been years for me. (I could possibly suck, but I will try to climb my personal best, anyway.) We may be compatible. Are you going to the DZ.com climbing trip that will be on one of the days during the Eloy boogie? Let me know. :)

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Can you do tunnel time freeflying without having to do bellyflying first. I remember someone mentioned possibly having to do a bunch of bellyflying and back flying in order to freefly, and for me, it just isn't worth it to spend the $$ flying on my belly in the tunnel when that is not what i'm working toward right now.

Glad you had fun. Post those pix when you get 'em:)

thx.
Angela.



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Can you do tunnel time freeflying without having to do bellyflying first.



nope. you must show that you can fly stable on your belly, then on your back (because that is the recovery position when you flub), and then you start your sit. that's how it works. it's a little different freeflying in the tunnel because you have a 12 ft diameter to work with.

blues,
arlo

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Welcome to the club of trying to get back into shape for climbing. I'm heading the gym tonight if I get an ad done in time. Yes it sucks trying to get you endurance back but its a humbling exxperience.

Its funny how climbing gyms are like wind tunnels. They are great tools for learning and aquiring skills fast but not a substitute to the real thing.

Can't wait till Tahoe dries up again...
www.canopyflightcenter.com
www.skydivesac.com
www.guanofreefly.com

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Welcome to the club of trying to get back into shape for climbing.



Actually, no, I haven't even tried climbing again at all. I haven't climbed for years at all. LOL! I only TALK about wanting to climb again. It probably will not happen as I am so new to skydiving, and I am an all or nothing type. (Climb hard or not at all, you know?) Since I am a new skydiver, all my extra time and dedication goes to skydiving. LOL! Good luck with your climbing, though. The climbing gym can be so much fuuuuun!!!

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Its funny how climbing gyms are like wind tunnels. They are great tools for learning and aquiring skills fast but not a substitute to the real thing.


Agreed 100%. I also made that EXACT comment to my BF (skywhuffo and ex-climber) the other day.

Edited: Damn typos.

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Its hard trying to jugle both sports, especially when the good weather days make you pick between sports.

oh well, I just need to get back in the mountains and find those special places agian. Even though I'll only beable to climb 5.9
www.canopyflightcenter.com
www.skydivesac.com
www.guanofreefly.com

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I remember someone mentioned possibly having to do a bunch of bellyflying and back flying in order to freefly, and for me, it just isn't worth it to spend the $$ flying on my belly in the tunnel when that is not what i'm working toward right now.



IMO, if you want to be a good freeflyer - you need to learn some belly skills first. Learning good belly skills in the tunnel, will actually help you in learning to freefly. The two (IMO) compliment eachother. Learning to freefly has improved my belly flying (the little bit of it that I do :D) All I ever wanted to do was freefly, but I spent time (about 70 jumps) on my belly learning basic RW first, before I would allow myself to try to sit. Freeflying is my passion, but I make sure to spend a day here and there doing some RW jumps to try to keep my skills sharp. Don't try to jump into freeflying to fast. Learn it all. :)

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1 - Rosa - Can't make it to Eloy, I'm spending the bucks on two tunnel camps this winter. I wish I was going, I'd be sure to bring the gear. From the sound of it, if you were current, I'd be in awe and learning a ton regardless of the lack of Beta. I'm all or nothing as well - Up here, the end of the skydiving season means the end of the outdoor climbing season unless you have a desire to ice climb ($$$). But I'm still managing both but don't get a lot of outdoor climbs, which I love. 4way is more important. Tunnelcamp is down, I'm hoping it's because they are posting pics:)
2 - SkyDNFLor - Question on Freeflying and belly flying. I bet you hear this a lot. "Don't short yourself on the RW skills." Freeflying is just that, flying in all positions - including back and belly. Learn it all in an order that keeps you highly skilled and safe. BK is wise beyond my years (and from the last couple avatars also cute and naked a lot :)), and Arlo is true in saying it's only a 12 foot diameter. FF can generate a lot of energy in a short distance - ouch. (The tunnel does have basic FF camps, so you could call them and get the coaching, they'll likely start you on your belly and back and it'll come fast to knee, sit, and headdown forms.) I feel bad for those that short themselves from one style or another. It's best to strive to be adequate in all and great in one or two.

Of course, I'm still squeamish about wingsuits, so I better put my money where my mouth is eventually. Gear fear to a whole new level.

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

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