What's the deal with the WFFC?

[packerboy 3]

I'm thinking of going to the WFFC next year... is it safe.. fun? What's the deal? Is it just a bunch of drunken drugged up yahoo's trying to kill me and themselves? Is it the best time I will ever have skydiving in my whole life? The epitimy of boogie safety?

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In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

[flyangel2 2]

I suggest doing a search on this question. This subject has been brought up a lot.

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

[Thanatos340 1]

the WFFC has its problems.. But most of the Negitive things you will hear about is from people that either Havent ever been there or used to go when it was still at Quincy.

I have beenthe past three years and loved it. All the stuff you hear about waaaay too much traffic and people landing every which way are simply not true in my experience. (Again.. Only the past three years and Only at Rantoul)

The real nay-sayers will go off about all the maddness that was at Quincy. I am sure most of this is true.. But Rantoul is a hell of a lot bigger with alot more landing area than Quincy and only 1/4 (or Less) of the Jumpers there.

I took two low timers with me this year that were initially scared to go because of all the rumors thay had heard. Once we got there they both commented that there was less canopy traffic and confusion than at the other boogie they had been to. At no time did either of these jumpers feel threatened in any way by the canopy traffic or landing patterns.

Anyone that comes on here saying how dangerous the convention is should be asked when was the last time they went. The convention is much smaller now at a much bigger place.

In my limited experience, Rantoul is no more or less dangerous than any other LARGE Boogie.

Is it safe?? Hell no it isnt. Skydiving isnt safe. But it is NOT the madhouse that many here would like to make it out to be.

But Do watch out for Golf Carts. Those ARE really Dangerous!!

[packerboy 3]

Apparantly people still want to discuss it though.

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In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

[WFFC 1]

>I'm thinking of going to the WFFC next year... is it safe.. fun?

Safe is a relative term - you're skydiving aren't you? It's a larger boogie and it will have it's quirks. I've seen more quirks at smaller DZs, but I've also seen more at larger DZs, even at places that people think are 'the safest dropzone ever'.

>What's the deal? Is it just a bunch of drunken drugged up yahoo's trying to kill me and themselves?

An old AFF instructor told me this 'just like driving, everyone is out to get you. Keep your head on a swivel and don't get fixated on what's directly in front of you. You are responsible for you. Take care of that.'

>Is it the best time I will ever have skydiving in my whole life?

God I hope not, but you'll have fun. Any boogie is what you make of it. If you're not having fun, you're not doing something right. I met some people this WFFC that I personally haven't ever seen before. Good friends and new places to visit are in my future.

>The epitimy of boogie safety?

Like I said above, watch out for yourself. People will complain like the WFFC has absolutely no 'safety' what so ever. I've been to smaller DZs with only a cessna and all 4 jumpers in the 182 went different directions on landing and then all bitched at eachother for not following the pattern. I've been to larger DZs with the same issues and worse.
Land out if you want. It's not that bad of a walk and some of us could probably use the exercise anyway.

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~~~Michael

[packerboy 3]

Right on man... See you there!

You gonna be wearing that stupid hat so I can find you?

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In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

[BIGUN 1,312]

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In my limited experience, Rantoul is no more or less dangerous than any other LARGE Boogie.

True.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[packerboy 3]

I'm kidding... I quite dig the hat..

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In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

[WFFC 1]

Quote

I'm kidding... I quite dig the hat..

I just need to find it. I have no idea where it got tucked away too. Or look for the purple sombrero. I fit under that one as well and it provides an excellent umbrella when it's raining.

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~~~Michael

[flyangel2 2]

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Apparantly people still want to discuss it though.

The problem is that as of late, most WFFC threads turn in to a bashing of some kind. And I'm really getting tired of that.

Any time you skydive it's all about you making it safe.

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

[mx757 4]

Mar
your right WFFC threads have been bashing threads lately...I went to WFFC mid-week and all it did was rain... rain.. more rain...

very poor turn out of skydivers too? Due to WFFC bashing??

talked to Don Kirlin late one night at tent told him WFFC is DEAD. He asked if I had any ideas what to do? I told him lots nekkid girls would improve things

But told him I didn't know what to do... maybe we can start a thread on how to improve the WFFC? for starters get swoopings and down wind landing idiots their own area.. close to medical tent too

Mike

[normiss 800]

Not including the fucking tornadoes and rain....the entire group I went with HAD A FUCKING BLAST!
It was the first for most of us, but we were surprised with what appeared to be a low turnout, ZHills will surpass that attendance on a SINGLE WEEKEND boogie...especially New Year's.
I'd go again...as most of us would I think.
Lots of great jumps, wingsuit jumps were awesome, and the 6-way wingie out of the Jet was...well it kinda was...but it was FUN!!!
Saw lotsa good friends, made some great new ones too.
Flock on flockers!

[mx757 4]

yea I was at Z-hills last year for the Christmas Boggie and I felt there were more people at Z-hillsChristmas Boogie than WFFC this year...just WFFC gave them more room to spread out than would have been able to in Z-hills

[flyangel2 2]

Hey you, I'm glad you were able to attend WFFC this year. I missed seeing the old gang

I'll keep my fingers crossed that I'll be able to attend next year. Some times life just gets in the way when you want to play.

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

[Rosalita 0]

I had a blast on our Wing jump :o)

It was great to meet the whole gang!!!

Will have to do some more jumps soon:o)

[nondrey 0]

i'll agree to the fact that numbers were low. there's no doubting that. i've went to wffc the past two years, a group of buddies dragged me up there in 05 and i had a blast, i didn't even skydive. it was the atmosphere that made it the best thing i've been to. and on the landing issue, i know there were less people then ever this year, but i took two aff classes and had absolutely no problem with othere free fallers, or traffic under canopy. landing wise, there is plenty of room, and multipule landing areas for the swoopers, and crosswind landers. and a seperate area where they ask the students to land, so you don't have to worry about the people who have no idea what they're doing as much. Most people just don't realize it, or don't want to walk from the wrong side of base, even though it's roughly the same distance. in the two years i've been there the first year there were two fatalities, in ten days, with umteen hundreds of loads going up. and this year there was only one, and not to bash or stir bad feelings, but it seemed to be his fault. from what i've seen, there have been more golf cart and mini bike injurys then skydiving injurys, and if we stick to being in control of the situation, then that could be cut to just golf cart injurys because those are so much easier to heal from. if you're still thinking about going, stop thinking, and just go next year. if you don't like it for some crazy reason then don't go again, but thats a slim to no chance idea.