peek 21 #1 May 18, 2004 What does "World Class" mean? In recent years, all kinds of skydiving organizations, drop zones, etc. have begun using the term "World Class" to describe their instructors, coachs, load organizers, etc. What does this expression mean to you? Does it have any effect on your opinion of the skill, knowledge, etc. of the people described by this expression? Is there an "official" meaning to the expression, or a formerly "official meaning"? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #2 May 18, 2004 It means you're being sold a bill of goods by a marketer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #3 May 18, 2004 QuoteWhat does "World Class" mean? Contact 1800skyride. They seem to be holding all the marketing puffery right now...----- ~~~Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjhdiver 0 #4 May 18, 2004 QuoteWhat does "World Class" mean? In recent years, all kinds of skydiving organizations, drop zones, etc. have begun using the term "World Class" to describe their instructors, coachs, load organizers, etc. What does this expression mean to you? Does it have any effect on your opinion of the skill, knowledge, etc. of the people described by this expression? Is there an "official" meaning to the expression, or a formerly "official meaning"? I doubt there is an official definition, but I'd say it was someone who was reasonably well known and regarded for ability in their field in places outside of their country of origin, as well as within it. Like nicknames though, it loses a lot of cache when you apply it to yourself. It should be conferred by general concensus, much like the term "steaming asshole" is to the other side of the equation. Mind you, I know a few people who are both world class skydivers and steaming assholes, so I guess it's not mutually exclusive. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwing 5 #5 May 18, 2004 It is marketing hyperbole, which certainly gained widespread use outside of the skydiving world. It doesn't have any influence on my choices, but then I'm already world class. -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,027 #6 May 18, 2004 My son was an "All American" athlete in high school. I'm still trying to figure out what that means. If he had been not quite so good, would he have been "7/8 American" or "2/3 American"?... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usedtajump 1 #7 May 18, 2004 Nothing but marketing horseshit. Was in Key West 2 weeks ago and saw a sunglasses shop set up in a broken down, abandoned service station with a sign proclaiming they had "The world's best selection of sunglasses." If anyone claims to be world class, world's best or world anything, run away.The older I get the less I care who I piss off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #8 May 18, 2004 QuoteMind you, I know a few people who are both world class skydivers and steaming assholes, so I guess it's not mutually exclusive. *must resist.......*---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #9 May 18, 2004 I'm going to have to agree with Gareth. To me it's someone that is reasonably well known and regarded for an ability in their field in places outside of their country of origin, as well as within it. But to add to that, to me, it's someone like an Airspeed members or a Golden Knight member. A World Class skydiver is also one that you can approch and talk to. Not like one of those steaming assholes that Gareth was talking about.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #10 May 18, 2004 DZ marketing = B.S. Most DZ's flat out lie in their advertising. "It's sunny and 80, and load 2 is on a 15-minute call." Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #11 May 18, 2004 QuoteQuoteMind you, I know a few people who are both world class skydivers and steaming assholes, so I guess it's not mutually exclusive. *must resist.......* I won't. Gareth Holder is a world class skydiver and a steaming asshole. Note: Humor, and the compliment should cancel out the asshole part.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slug 1 #12 May 19, 2004 IMO world class to me means folks that can compete at the international level and hold their own against the best in the world. To the best of my knowledge there's only one WFFC because the term is copyrighted and the owners of the copyright will go to court to protect their property. Reminds me when I looked into what I was missing by not renting a executive apartment. World heavy weight boxing champion? Which one I'm still confused what sex is, or "is" is or who's on first. R.I.P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #13 May 19, 2004 Slug's got it. It's proper usage is in reference to people who are in the "world class" ie, compete for their country on an international level as opposed to a group or class of people who compete on a national level. I guess you could describe that class of person as "national class". However, it has of course come to be used as little more than advertising puffery. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WrongWay 0 #14 May 19, 2004 World Class (Wurld KLass)- Term used by shitty or stuck up dropzones in their radio ads for the purpose of duping first (and only) time tandems into thinking "this is the best dropzone in (insert state here)". This is also known as the "You don't know shit about skydiving so we're going to pretend we're all on a world level of competition to get your money" method. Edited to add: This definition of course brings an exception to the people who have actually made it to a world meet, and even moreso when it comes to the case of world champions. Wrong Way D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451 The wiser wolf prevails. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #15 May 19, 2004 I can understand competitors bragging about being "world class," (assuming they competed at the FAI-sanctioned World Championships) and I can sort of understand coaches bragging about being "world class," (assuming they coached at an FAI-sanctioned World Championships) but the concept of instructors being "world class" baffles me. Yes I have taught skydiving in Austria, Canada, France, Germany and the USA, but nobody ever invited me to "compete" as an instructor. Does the guy who teaches the fastest win the World Championships? Hee! Hee! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjhdiver 0 #16 May 19, 2004 Quote I won't. Gareth Holder is a world class skydiver and a steaming asshole. This is true. I am also a very sexy man. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #17 May 19, 2004 QuoteWorld Class (Wurld KLass)- Term used by shitty or stuck up dropzones in their radio ads for the purpose of duping first (and only) time tandems into thinking "this is the best dropzone in (insert state here)". This is also known as the "You don't know shit about skydiving so we're going to pretend we're all on a world level of competition to get your money" method. Edited to add: This definition of course brings an exception to the people who have actually made it to a world meet, and even moreso when it comes to the case of world champions.Edited to add: This definition of course brings an exception to the people who have actually made it to a world meet, and even moreso when it comes to the case of world champions. and of course those drop zones that really ARE "World Class" in facilities, instructors and coaches... I love Eloy. ____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WrongWay 0 #18 May 19, 2004 Quote and of course those drop zones that really ARE "World Class" in facilities, instructors and coaches... I love Eloy. Right on. A lot of dz's across the US are using that term as a ploy to make money, kinda like saying "we have the best of this and the most experienced of that or the oldest of this" without these people having any more credentials than a few USPA ratings and friends in high places. It's sickening. Wrong Way D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451 The wiser wolf prevails. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,027 #19 May 19, 2004 QuoteQuote I won't. Gareth Holder is a world class skydiver and a steaming asshole. This is true. I am also a very sexy man. I don't think you're sexy. You don't turn me on AT ALL.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,027 #20 May 19, 2004 QuoteI can understand competitors bragging about being "world class," (assuming they competed at the FAI-sanctioned World Championships) and I can sort of understand coaches bragging about being "world class," (assuming they coached at an FAI-sanctioned World Championships) but the concept of instructors being "world class" baffles me. Yes I have taught skydiving in Austria, Canada, France, Germany and the USA, but nobody ever invited me to "compete" as an instructor. Does the guy who teaches the fastest win the World Championships? Hee! Hee! How about an instructor who holds (or has held) a skydiving world record? Are world record holders world class?... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #21 May 20, 2004 How come there are only North American baseball teams playing in the "World Series"? ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #22 May 20, 2004 ooo ooo - I've had that one explaned to me before when I asked the question. Apparently it's because there's like 1 japanease team, and the odd Canadian. I guess that makes it a "World" Series... go figure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #23 May 20, 2004 I dunno 'bout you, but when somebody says "World Class" to me, what I assume they mean is that the person has a world record or competed and done well at the international level. Anything less is just BS. Fortunately, for me, I actually have access to a LOT of real "World Class" skydivers.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #24 May 20, 2004 I think "world class" is all about benchmarking. It is comparing a person's or ogranization's skill at something to other people or organizations that are considered to be the model for what they do. For competitions or world records, benchmarking is easy. A competition is a benchmark. It's more difficult to benchmark instructional programs. But I'd say when it comes to dropzones, world class is referring to facilities, aircraft, equipment, procedures, and instructors that match or exceed the "best" dropzones out there. A little cessna DZ is never world class because the world has better dropzones to offer. But a little DZ that has the same instructional program and instructors as, for example, skydive chicago, may be considered to have world class instruction. It is of course completely subjective because it assumes that the "best" of whatever is agreed upon. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slug 1 #25 May 20, 2004 IMO Dropzone's with top notch facilities ELOY, Perris, chicago etc can be rated as having first class facilities. Using objective standards Indoor plumbing, indoor packing, wide open land area, on site good food etc. As far as the term "world class" refers to jumpers see above. In my limited experience the vast majority of World class jumpers, are also very nice folks, and their competition level speaks for itself. The same objective standards could be used for defining USPA champs. Using # of jumps to try and define a person's abilities and qualifications imo doesn't mean much due to may variables. If I had to chose between: a DZ with First class facilities & rated instructor's, that has a DZO & regulers & staff with a "attitude" Vs a one cessna DZ with a safe airplane, pilot, runway and a DZO, staff and regulers with a good attitude with one tree for Facilities I'll chosse the Cessna DZ. But thats my criteria for selecting a DZ and everyones is different and is correct for them. The most meaningless advertising ploy IMO used by the DZ's to lure unsuspecting new jumpers, amusement riders etc is the USPA Group membership. Membership without any independent inspection to verify complience with USPA requirements is a "interesting concept" Similar to buying a college degree thru a mail order diploma mill. This is just my opinion (don't mean squat) and doesn't refer to any specific DZ.s that I have jumped at. R.I.P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
