Tunnel Camps

[Hazarrd 1]

I am interested in doing some tunnel training in the near future. I have looked at tunnelcamp.com and it looks like a good option. I am looking to improve my RW skills and want as small of a class as possible while not spending a whole lot of money. I don't quite understand the differences between the NSL/Airspeed/Skyventure camps at tunnelcamp.com. The site doesn't really explain what the differences are. Anyone have experience with tunnel time at this camp or any others you would reccommend? Thanks

.-.

[Spike 0]

Hi Darren,

I've been on 6 camps with Sebastian XL and would totally recommend their tunnel camp. Take a look here for info. They have camps coming up in November and December.

I haven't been on any of the camps run by other teams so I can't make any comparisons, but the XL guys are just awesome. Thomas has well over 1000 hours in the tunnel and flies like a bird!!!. But not only can they walk the walk, they can talk it too, XL rock as coaches.

After a cursory glance at the tunnelcamp/XL web sites, it looks like XL is slightly cheaper, also they run their camp over two days. The tunnel can be exhausting so diluting the airtime can be benificial (though if you're like me you'll turn into a tunnel junkie and just hog any extra time).

I do know some people who have been on camps run by other people, if you PM Emma, I'm sure she will give you a fair comparison.

Whatever you decide - go tunnel. To maximise the benefit from the tunnel do some prep before you go.

Start stretching now, flexibility and endurance becomes an issue when you do an hour+ of airtime in one day.

Think hard about what you want to improve on and tell the coaches before you go in the tunnel, it'll help them build a program for you. By this I mean, do you want to improve leg turns, side slides, fingertip to fingertip perfect stability, flashing? Whatever, just think about your flying "before" you get to the tunnel, so that when you're spending your precious minutes, you're not stumped, thinking what to improve on next.

Just get in there, tunnel is not skydiving, but its still awesome fun and the skills do translate to real air. Don't forget to stretch those smile muscles, you'll be grinning from ear to ear guaranteed.

Oh and if you go to the Orlando Skyventure tunnel, try NOT to end up staying at the Riande Continental Plaza, unless you are pond life.

Colin

[Samurai136 0]

What's wrong w/ the Riande? Isn't it right next door to the tunnel?

I'm going to the tunnel in Nov.
Ken

"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian
Ken

[Spike 0]

Hi Ken,

Your right the Riande is as convenient as it gets, right next door to the tunnel. Cheap too, but thats my point, the whole place is a bit tired and in need of some tlc.

I've stayed there three times. First time, the aircon vibrated so much, my beer shook its way right off the bedside table and the condensation was so bad there were mushrooms growing on the wall.

Second visit, different room, same aircon and mould plus I got woken up by the teenagers skating along the corridors at 4 in the morning.

Third visit (1 night only) was good, I did 2 hours in the tunnel. I was as kn@ckered as the beds at the Riande, I could have slept in the tunnel.

By contrast the Best Western movieland is only another 50yds and the rooms/beds are A1. Plus the Diamond steak at the Black Angus is excellent, Oh and try the deep fried Onion cactus thingy for starters, mmmmmm.........

When your investing so much money and effort, I think its worthwhile getting a good nights sleep. So if you can afford a few extra $$$ my vote goes BW.

I think there are some other motels nearby, Super 8 (or is it 6?), but I haven't stayed at these.

Are you on the XL camp?

[Samurai136 0]

Thanks for the tip!

I definately don't want to stay in a place that skanky.

Ken

"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian
Ken

[arlo 0]

i got this straight from our website. if you have any more questions, PM me and i'll try to answer them for you. Bottom line, it depends on how much $$ you are willing to spend and what you are wanting to learn.

hope this helps,
arlo

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SKYVENTURE TUNNEL CAMPS are ideal for those who wish to work on stability and body position for belly, 4-way or freefly skills. SkyVenture instructors are able to coach all forms of flight disciplines in the tunnel and we can personalize your training to meet your individual needs. Learn how to let the wind move your body; learn new techniques to help you fly better whether you have no skydives or thousands of jumps. These camps are for you. The cost for the camp is $485 and payment is due in full upon booking. Each camp includes 30 minutes of tunnel time spread out during one day.

The NSL TUNNEL CAMP training curriculum is flexible enough to meet your individual needs. You will receive one on one training with our experienced NSL coaches. Class sizes are small and your flight time is spread out over two days offering a condensed training session. The basic camp has a 3: 1 coach ratio with 60 minutes of tunnel flying over two days. The deluxe camp has a 2: 1 coach ratio with 90 minutes of tunnel flying over two days.

The AIRSPEED BASIC TUNNEL CAMP will be comprised of focused, hands on, one-on-one training in the SkyVenture wind tunnel. It will include detailed video debrief and classroom instruction. The instructors will all be members of Arizona Airspeed. Classes will be small - no more than 10 students.

The standard course will be spread over three days at the SkyVenture wind tunnel in Orlando, Florida, or Perris Drop Zone in Perris Valley, California.
Each class will be taught by 4 - 6 Arizona Airspeed Coaches
The student to instructor ration will be held to 3 to 1.
Each student will receive 1 hour of flight time (reduced only by the small amount of time it takes to get in and out of the wind tunnel). During every second of that time, you will work one-on-on with an Airspeed coach.
The course will take approximately 8 hours each day.

AIRSPEED DELUXE CAMPS

These Camps are designed to incorporate more flying in the same amount of time (50% more, to be exact). The material is not more difficult or "advanced" there is just more of it. The rhythm and pace of the day is a bit faster. For that reason, Deluxe Camps are limited to those who have already attended an Airspeed Wind Tunnel Camp and are therefore already familiar with our system. As with any other camp, we will tailor your curriculum to your exact skill level.

In response to several requests for us to offer more Deluxe Camps, we have implemented a new demand-based schedule for them. We will hold DeluxeCamps during any Basic Camp in which we have four campers requesting it.

The parameters for the deluxe camp are the same as those of the basic camp except for the following

Total flight time = 1.5 hours rather than 1 hour
Total days = 3
Student-Teacher ratio is 2 -1 rather than 3 -1

AIRSPEED MEGA-CAMPS

A Mega-Camp is simply two 3-day wind tunnel camps strung together into a single 6-day affair. You pay exactly double and get exactly double what you would in a single 3-day camp. You need not have attended a previous wind tunnel camp to sign up for this option.

The parameters for the mega camp are as follows:

Total flight time = 2 hours rather than 1 hour
Total days = 6 rather than 3
Student-Teacher ratio is 3 -1

The FREEFLY TUNNEL CAMPS combine the TunnelCamp organization and Airspeed teaching methods with World Class Freefly Coaching to produce one of a kind training experience. As always, you will be one-on-one with your instructor.

Coaches for these camps will be Mike Swanson, Rook Nelson, Alaska Jon, Steve Curtis, Juliana Se Raidel and Fabian Raidel. Kirk Verner of Airspeed will be assisting with the coaching and managing of the camps.

The camp structure will be classic Tunnelcamp.com – one hour for flight time, instruction and lectures spread over 3 days

[webracer 0]

I have done Airspeed's camp for the last two years now. I will go again in spring for the third year in a row. I do the basic camp to not only hone my skills, but to get ready for the upcoming season. Airspeed's camp will cater to all skill levels while still maintaining a standard curriculum. I cannot recommend it enough. Usually there are 18 students, in 6 groups of 3 (that means you are sharing your Airspeed instructor with two other skydivers). In my first camp my instructor was Kirk Verner, In the second it was Gary Beyer. I also flew at night (nominal extra charge), with Alan Metni, Jack Jeffries, and Craig Girard. In the last camp we did a three way at night (two airspeed and me), and racked up over 100 points in two minutes. whew!
It is great fun!!!
Just do it!

Troy

I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.