LloydDobbler 2 #1 September 19, 2008 ...and it's actually a pretty good story from ABC News, who were onhand at the USPA Canopy Piloting Nationals & the PST Championships. Well, once you get past the 'these people are crazy' part. Anyway, good press. (Here's a link, in case it's gone by the time you get to it.)Signatures are the new black. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tuna-Salad 0 #2 September 20, 2008 Pretty funny.. I'm new to the sport but how long as swooping been around? Now it's the new thing I guess.. Anytime I'm asked about jumping I get 2 standard questions "have you see those bird suit things?" "have you ever put your arms back?" - If they see a video the tracking away is usually the part that gets a comment.. Now people will probably ask about swooping..Millions of my potential children died on your daughters' face last night. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LloydDobbler 2 #3 September 22, 2008 Swooping's not that new, actually. Much like wingsuiting. Someone who was around back in the day can correct me if I'm wrong, but it all started back in the mid-90's with the development of higher-performance canopies (like the Stiletto, at the time). The first (documented) pond swoop meet apparently happened at the Ranch in NY in 1996. Watching the video of said meet now is mind-boggling as to how far the discipline has come. A lot of people think that swooping is our best chance for skydiving to get major attention as a sport - since most of skydiving can't be watched by spectators, swooping is unique in that way. Not to mention its resemblance to other freestyle sports like skateboard vert, etc. Of course, I get the same question re: wingsuiting...and the other one is, 'Have you ever tried that BASE jumping stuff?' Shows what's getting the press. Better than people asking me if I've ever seen someone go in, I suppose...Signatures are the new black. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #4 September 22, 2008 I can't tell you how long ago it got started but I can tell why it got started from first-hand experience. First, know that I am not a swooper...not by any stretch of the imagination. Plain old tip-toe standups is my thrill. Thoughts while testing a new canopy: -Geez, this thing moves fast! -That ground is coming at me rather quickly. -OK, plane it out. -Holy shit! I'm hauling ass! -Put your feet down now sucker and it's gonna hurt! -Is this thing ever gonna stop? -OK, let's finish the flare and take what happens. -Well, I'll be damned! It stopped and I got a two-step run-out! -Holy mother of Jesus and pass the peas! That was FUN! -Let's try THAT again! Now, MY follow-up: -Wait a minute sucker. You handled it and made it out alive. -Don't push it. -Now where's my old faithful 190 Triathlon? True story. My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eflynn 0 #5 September 22, 2008 What were you jumping? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
