Cacophony 0 #101 February 17, 2005 QuoteSeconds, very large darts to the pilot/spotter combination to the load that created the problem that occured. Some people are pointing fingers at the girl who landed out, she never had a chance to make it to the beach! With the winds blowing off the water at around 15 mph, why you run a jump run inland and get out over land is beyond anything I can think of! Anyone who says otherwise is just trying to cover their ass! I was standing there on the beach hoping it wasn't jumprun, then saw the exit, it was everything my girlfriend could do to keep me calmed downMad. Stupid, stupid, stupid and in my opinion, those two owe everyone who got screwed at this boogie! Well, obviously you weren't looking close enough. The jumprun (as previously stated) was not inland. I was on the first pass shooting a tandem video and landed on the beach. There was only 1 tandem with video on the first pass. The second pass was the exact same direction. The first group simply got out a little too early. They called the spot, not that pilot. Erin was the rear diver of a 6 way (1 person shooting stills) and had no chance to see the spot. It was purely a mistake. The person who spotted it landed off as well. Don't make accusations unless you are absolutely sure, because I know for a fact that is a false statement. I spoke with the pilot many times afterwards seeing as how we bunked it the same room for several nights afterward. Bob had everything the city asked for and made a very solid attempt at bringing a lot of skydivers together for a good time. He covered all his bases. It was just an unfortunate string of luck. Most of the city didn't want us there in the first place. We didn't help the situation. I guess we all learned many lessons in so many different ways. If you had any idea exactly what went into this event, and how much effort was put into it to run smoothly, you would just understand. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crutch 0 #102 February 17, 2005 I hate to call on my experience, but after a few years in the sport, the plane was definitely running inland, how else would ya'll have opened on the inland side of Collier Ave.? Yes, the first pass was a much better spot (the one with the tandem), which is why it is easy to say the second pass was a different run. Not to be bragging, but if you ask anyone standing near me on the beach, I called that everyone wouldn't make the beach when ya'll exited the plane, it was that obvious! What has got me made is that no one is owning up to the responsibility! Hey, we have all screwed up, just say so. When three people on the pass don't make the dz, the spotter/pilot screwed up. Trying to blame increasing winds is a cop-out also! I am calling bullshit on anyone trying to defend that the spot was good! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ergirl 0 #103 February 17, 2005 First of all I am the first to admit that the spot was bad. Like mentioned above, I was an inside diver trusting my spot since there were 6 others on my dive. There were 2 other people who landed within a block of where I had my accident. I also know at least one other landed off and in front of the hotel. So, yes 4-5 of the 7 landed off and I don't think anyone is not owning up to the fact that we jumped too early. I also spoke with the pilot who said he wanted to take us out 0.7 miles before the cut, but he was told several times to cut, so he did. We all just need to learn from this and not worry about pointing fingers. The boogie would have gotten canceled even if I had not gotten injured."Life is not measured by your number of breaths, but by the moments that take your breath away." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blueskyserenity 0 #104 February 17, 2005 Erin I'm glad you're alright. We were all thinking about you this weekend. Shit Happens... I think we can leave it at that and like Erin said, learn from it. Personally, I had a wonderful weekend on Marco Island not jumping.Seriously Erin, heal fast and blue skies sweetie!!I like coconuts. You can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #105 February 17, 2005 QuoteLaBelle is a Cesna 182 DZ. They charge $20 to 10,000 normally. The $10 fee was for a club membership which they waived if you told them you were with the Marco Island Boogie. They waived the $10 if you had already paid the boogie fee. Those who had not paid the boogie fee paid the $10. All in all it was a good time. Got some good jumps in with my fellow family members - Diamante, Bolas, et. al. With all the planning that can go into a boogie and someone, in this case Marco Island, getting cold feet, they can pull the plug on an event pretty quickly. If you think this is not the case, ask anyone who puts together a large or unique boogie somewhere other than a usual DZ. Besides, the weather was pretty good and continues to be better than it was up north. Worst case, you got a vacation somewhere warm by the time it was all done.----- ~~~Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #106 February 17, 2005 QuoteThanks for the concern....I am recovering well. This is definitely good to hear. btw, your initiation picture was received and we'll get our newest bumpy brother added to the family website shortly. Bluez~~~ Arano----- ~~~Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpingbean001 0 #107 February 17, 2005 Thanks Erin! I was on the ground with Crutch the spot was obvious. I was trying to calm him down when he saw that. My biggest concern was for the people who may not make it back. There did not appear to be a lot of outs from the ground. Working in the medical field I had some nasty visuals when I heard you hit a powerline. I am glad it was not nearly as bad as it could have been. I hope your bum heals quickly. I know that a lot was put into this event against unbelievable odds and it was kind of doomed from the beginning by local forces. I appreciate all of the effort that was put into this. I wish I could have gotten in one jump over the island before they pulled the plug. I happened to be sitting on the bus waiting to go to the airport when it was pulled (Load 3). I still had a good time and introduced 7 people to the world of wingsuits in LaBelle! Right on! FOR EVERYONE ELSE!! No spot is a bad spot when you are in a wingsuit!!! I MAKE MY OWN SPOTS!!!! LMAO! I would have made it back! Blue Skies! Tam, BMI Let's have fun! :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pyke 0 #108 February 17, 2005 I'm glad you're okay, Erin. We were quite concerned with your status...we figured broken sacrum, but didn't know the full extent of your injuries. I know it hurts...but buy a donut and tell people loudly it was a SKYDIVING injury!! Much cooler than a pollup/hemmorhoid flare up!!! Best wishes on your FULL recovery! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bdazel 0 #109 February 17, 2005 QuoteI hate to call on my experience, but after a few years in the sport, the plane was definitely running inland, how else would ya'll have opened on the inland side of Collier Ave.? Yes, the first pass was a much better spot (the one with the tandem), which is why it is easy to say the second pass was a different run. Not to be bragging, but if you ask anyone standing near me on the beach, I called that everyone wouldn't make the beach when ya'll exited the plane, it was that obvious! What has got me made is that no one is owning up to the responsibility! Hey, we have all screwed up, just say so. When three people on the pass don't make the dz, the spotter/pilot screwed up. Trying to blame increasing winds is a cop-out also! I am calling bullshit on anyone trying to defend that the spot was good! The facts speak for themselves, experience or not. If the plane is flying downwind and the first group gets out downwind of the landing area, then the jumpers after that group don't have a chance of getting back. Explain to me how the rest of the load landed on the beach? To second what was was said earlier, there is no question the the jumpers got out too early. I don't think anyone has tried to argue that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ergirl 0 #110 February 17, 2005 The plane was not flying inland, the jumprun was flying out toward the ocean..... I was in the first group of people (6way with stills) on our jumprun to get out. The others after us had no problems with the spot that I heard of. I am pretty sure the jumpers after the first group made it to the beach without difficulty. __________________________________________________"Life is not measured by your number of breaths, but by the moments that take your breath away." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bolas 5 #111 February 17, 2005 QuoteFOR EVERYONE ELSE!! No spot is a bad spot when you are in a wingsuit!!! I MAKE MY OWN SPOTS!!!! LMAO! That depends on how far out you take the jump run and if you lose track where the airport is or not. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SKSWFL 0 #112 February 17, 2005 I normally don't write or read much of anything on DZ.com. Most of the time it's just crap anyway. Skydive SW Florida is a club. To jump here, you must be member. The membership fee is $10.00. It has nothing to do with boogie fees. It just happend to be that we were asked to host the rest of the event after the city of Marco pulled the plug. (We're also the closest DZ to Marco). I think most of the jumpers that came here had a great time. However, the $23.00 charged for the jumps in LaBelle was the price the organizers from Marco told us to charge. It was still their gig and their plane. We just offered our time and facilities. RT Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rocketdog 0 #113 February 17, 2005 QuoteWell, obviously you weren't looking close enough. you know, i have a huge problem with this. i am sure "a lot" of work went into the boogie, but it obviously wasn't "enough" work! i didn't see the spot -- may have been heading inland/may have not -- but when you are planning a boogie in a COMPACT CITY, WITH A TIGHT, HEAVY-SPECTATOR AREA you *must* consider outs. That landing area (and city) had zero outs..... especially when you consider that some people with their B-licenses received it when they had only 50 jumps. i remember having 50 jumps & doubt i could've hit that beach area. i think it serves the organizers right to have their good name smeared. not only were the facts & alternatives poorly communicated, but they have not done anything to make ammends (as i asked earlier, did you receive your registration $ back?) or clear their reputation. ~hollywood see the world! http://gorocketdog.blogspot.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bolas 5 #114 February 17, 2005 If that is how you feel, you should stay away from Marathon Key. The only true outs are the water if you land at the airport and the beach area is much smaller and narrower. One of the people who landed off had over 1300 jumps and has done many demo jumps. I've been to DZ's that their main landing area was the same length just wider. The beach landing area was more than adequate. It was 300 yards long and nearly as wide as the beach.Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
douwanto 22 #115 February 18, 2005 The landing area at the radisson was a level 2 demo at best. I would not have advised any of my friends with less than 500 jumps to jump there . I would have advised against it. Add the winds and the waffo,s on the beach you are just asking for trouble. Chris Uncle/GrandPapa Whit Unico Rodriguez # 245 Muff Brother # 2421 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The111 1 #116 February 18, 2005 Out of curiosity... have you or Bolas or anyone else been to the Marathon boogies AND this one? How did the MI beach landing area compare to the beach we landed on in Marathon. I had just about 220 jumps then and did one beach landing, and even though I nailed it right in the middle of the LZ, I'll admit it looked a little bit small coming in and was definitely way tighter than anything else I've ever done...www.WingsuitPhotos.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #117 February 18, 2005 QuoteIf that is how you feel, you should stay away from Marathon Key. The only true outs are the water if you land at the airport and the beach area is much smaller and narrower. Yeah, but the Keys boogie has a C license requirement to land at the airport and a D license requirement for landing on the beach. I would've loved to have gone to it last year, but don't have the landing skills to handle it. I guess Marco Island is burned now for future boogies? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bolas 5 #118 February 18, 2005 Marco was much bigger than the Marathon beach. The area they wanted us to land in at the airport was only slightly bigger than the Marco Beach area. I've now jumped 4 different beaches. Marco was the only one I've ever jumped at with a roped off area for landing. The other three we people keep spectators out of the way but the landing area was general. The rule was if your landing and someone runs in front of you you take the avoidance turn and possible injury.Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bolas 5 #119 February 18, 2005 QuoteI guess Marco Island is burned now for future boogies? Marco would have been burned if we hadn't been shut down. The condo (old) people don't want us. There are too few hotels on the island to fight them.Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The111 1 #120 February 18, 2005 QuoteYeah, but the Keys boogie has a C license requirement to land at the airport and a D license requirement for landing on the beach. Hmm, never heard about that. Makes sense though. Guess I was an outlaw on that jump. www.WingsuitPhotos.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveNFlorida 0 #121 February 18, 2005 QuoteQuoteYeah, but the Keys boogie has a C license requirement to land at the airport and a D license requirement for landing on the beach. Hmm, never heard about that. Makes sense though. Guess I was an outlaw on that jump. No, it is a C license requirement now (200 jumps used to be a D, but they changed beach jump requirements to a C keeping with the 200 jump min when the licenses changed.) A lot of people with more jumps then me overshot their mark at the marathon beach. I did a couple beach jumps and though it was small, I had little trouble navigating for a beach swoop. [Also, i've spent more time on canopy stuff than most people with my jump #s.] Regardless, I thought it silly before I jumped there, but I think the 200 jump minimum was definitely a smart idea. -A Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The111 1 #122 February 18, 2005 QuoteI had little trouble navigating for a beach swoop. Though you did manage to miss the airport LZ once! All in good fun, no offense intended please, you know part of this sport is getting your mistakes rubbed in your face. :) Please do the same next time you see me fuck up! www.WingsuitPhotos.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pyke 0 #123 February 18, 2005 This is a general post...not directed towards anyone, or any particular response (just used the last post to reply to) But WHO CARES ANYMORE??!! The boogie's over. A good time was had by those who opted out of it. Those to chose to jump in La Belle had fun also, apparently. And those that were hurt - will make a full recovery. So, in the end - a good weekend! Good luck to Erin - I'm sure we all hope she heals quickly. There will probably never be another boogie on Marco again....very well. Taking my own spin on Groucho, "I wouldn't jump anywhere that won't have me!!" If Marco is content reaping $$ off old people, and vacationers...and doesn't want the $$ that hobby skydivers bring in - their call to make. Fine... ...Moving on... GO TO DUBLIN! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RastaRicanAir 0 #124 February 18, 2005 ............................................wait for it ..................[B]O.K. NOW!! [I] HIJACK!! Stick 'em up muthaF*CKA!! The [U]DUBLIN BOOGIE is gonna ROCK!!OrFunV/LocoBoca Rodriguez/Sonic Grieco/Muff Brother #4411 -"and ladies....messin with Robbie is venturing into territory you cant even imagine!-cuz Robbie is Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveNFlorida 0 #125 February 18, 2005 QuoteQuoteI had little trouble navigating for a beach swoop. Though you did manage to miss the airport LZ once! All in good fun, no offense intended please, you know part of this sport is getting your mistakes rubbed in your face. :) Please do the same next time you see me fuck up! Actually, if you want to get technical, I missed the LZ at the airport _3_ times! Two of those I couldn't make it back, the other was a SFM (Stupid fucking move.) -A Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites