PLFXpert 0 #26 April 12, 2002 QuoteWho the hell hosted this thing and how on earth did they get so many famous hot shots to go when there is no advertiziing or website coverage?Lyle Presse was the host of the event. I think it's a fabulous idea, along with the other events Lyle has organized b/c the Para-Performance Games always happen on or near the west coast. Lyle holds a lot of swoop events on the east coast. As weid14 said, the competitors were invited. However, anyone was welcome to come as a guest. You just had to pay your own way. Lyle was on a tighter budget this year than last year. Luckily, a Venezuelan beer company, Brahma, sponsored the event which allowed them to have it. There will be an article in Parachutist, possibly Skydiving magazine, as well. The coverage is there. Rocket-Man was there. The sponsors paid. Much love and blue skies,Carrie http://www.geocities.com/skydivegrl20/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #27 April 12, 2002 The last Venezuela meet was sponsored by the Ford Motor Company and it's "Sin Fronteras" campaign. The fact of the matter with the invite list is that pretty much anybody who had the cash could register and compete this year. There were plenty of non-ranked swoopers at the event. This is a similar format to The Ranch Pond Swoop Nationals where anyone can sign up and give it hell, which I think is just fine, though possibly a bit riskier overall than making someone qualify for Pro events as in the PPPB circuit. Last year, anyone who had ever competed in any "sanctioned" event, whether Pro Blade or not (like The Ranch meet, Z-hills, etc) could step right into the PPPB Pro catagory. No previous "sanctioned" experience, no matter how bad-ass you might be at your home DZ, and you were going to jump in the Intermediate catagory though. Besides the PPPB circuit, all the other meets come up with very-different formats; some good, some pretty flaky. Downwinding it at Sky's the Limit in 25 mph winds was flaky in my opinion, but plenty showed up to try. Meets with "style" points, like The Ranch Pond Swoop Nationals really piss some people off, but that is the largest meet of the year; period. Other bad-ass swoopers have a TERRIBLE time of negotiating the PPPB courses, but the smooth guys who practice with real blades make it look very easy. I, for one, was very disappointed when Lyle and Jim went their separate ways. The impass came when Jim and Reggie refused to run competitions without a certain size pond or lake at the entrance, while Lyle really didn't give a shit so long as it was over sand or some other "giving" surface. I don't have any problems competing over land, but MAN, I have seen some truly horrific chows and plows in competition. Me? I try and make every event I can afford to get to. It's all good to me.Chuck My webpage HERE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #28 April 12, 2002 QuoteLyle really didn't give a shit so long as it was over sand or some other "giving" surface. I love LyleMuch love and blue skies,Carrie http://www.geocities.com/skydivegrl20/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #29 April 12, 2002 That was my point: I really like Lyle too, and I hate it that there was that rift. What it did was effectively destroy the fledgeling ECPA (Extreme Canopy Pilots Association) before it even got off the ground. As the two camps could not come to a middle-ground on their issues, the promise of having a truly "national" circuit to follow went out the window. Now, everyone runs VERY different events and it's pretty hard to adapt to the flying styles neccessary to be competitive. At some meets you must stay high in the blades; some you must skim the water to score; some are judged in a solely scientific manner; some are heavily influenced by "style" points. You wouldn't believe some of the arguments and questioning that goes on at the competitors briefing! ChuckMy webpage HERE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #30 April 12, 2002 Is there a place where other swoop comps are "advertised"? PPPB has its website, and there is PSN which I think anyone who swoops knows about... where do hear folks about other events?Joshhttp://www.aerialfusion.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #31 April 13, 2002 Oddly, most meets are not advertised too much. Mostly just word of mouth from other competitors. Most of us "regulars" see each other at all the meets. Some people only make one meet, maybe two a year.My webpage HERE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #32 April 14, 2002 QuoteYou wouldn't believe some of the arguments and questioning that goes on at the competitors briefing! Oh, yes I would. Personally, and I'm no swooper yet, but I feel the judging is ALWAYS questionable. I have yet to see a canopy event that didn't seem just a little shady when it came to judging. I'm not criticizing b/c I'm sure it's difficult to judge. I just think they're still working out the most accurate and fair ways to judge. Much love and blue skies,Carrie http://www.geocities.com/skydivegrl20/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
