Swooping with Sabre2

[flow 1]

I'm looking for a new canopy and thought that the best one for me would be one of those semi-elliptical canopies, as I really don't want to my body position affect in the landing sequence, but I would still like to learn how to swoop properly and have fun in the air.
Now here is the question, is it possible to have a proper swoop with Sabre2, or any other semi-elliptical canopy (Safire,Hornet) at all? No, I don't mean any 300ft swoops but even 10-30ft would be nice.
And what kind of a wingloading we are talking if it is possible, as my intention was to load something like 1.2 to 1.3.

[prost 0]

You can get that kind of a swoop out of even a regular Sabre with a straight in approach if you flare it correctly. Most people start to flare to soon a scrub off extra speed that limits their swoop. If you figure out your flare point well enough that when you are just above the ground you can go quickly and smoothly to the point where you will plane out and hold it there while you swoop across the ground and then flare the rest of the way at the very end you will be able to get the kind of swoops you are looking for out of any Zero-p canopy at that wing loading with straight in approaches. This is the first skill you need to learn to swoop a canopy. I see many jumpers performing hook turns that do not flare right and it cost them a lot on their surf.
William

[3fLiEr 0]

After watching a guy at my DZ (who is a great canopy pilot) swoop a borrowed Sabre135 (he normally jumps a Icarus105) more than the people on their elliptical 105's & Sub100's etc I knew then it is definatly the pilot and not the canopy that swoops - people think they need ellipitcal sub100's to do great swoops - this is not the case - learn to swoop your square/semi elliptical first before moving to less forgiving canopies - I am still learning to swoop my Sabre135 and I am still surprised at the speed i can get from it - it is so surprising how much flying potential you have with a canopy that most people do not explore - Just look at the canopies people like Rickster learnt to swoop on and you will see they aint anything special.
Just my inexperienced swooping £0.02 worth..................
BSBD

[SkydiveMonkey 0]

I managed to get a small turf-surf from a 288 manta (on a no wind day), and a little bit longer on a Fury. Both of the weren't exactly very long, but it's possible on just about ANY canopy.
It's bounce that hurts, so grab the grass !!

[riggerrob 643]

Under my Sabre 170 (wing loading 1.23), I used to surf farther than half the guys with their tiny Stilettos, Crossfires, etc.
That was because I used a smooth technique, with front riser turns onto final approach and smooth application of both toggles to plane it out.
Sure it is easier to get a long surf under the Sabre 135 (1.55) I am jumping now, but I still need the smooth technique to survive.
Length of surf is mainly a function of technique, smooth technique.

[freeflyguy 0]

Besides all that the above have said,
Sabre 2 or Safire can't help but surf better than a lower performance main. I friend of mine went from a trialthlon to a little heavier loaded safire. He was amazed how, "It just keeps going", on his landing sequence. So, ya, technique is supper imortant, but the canopy will make a trmendous difference too.

[freeflir29 0]

I can swoop my PD 190 (9 cell F-111 square) 20 ft or more on a straight in front riser approach. It is loaded pretty heavy for F-111 at 1.3:1. I have swooped (I'm guessing) 60 ft or more when doing hard hook turns. It can and should be done before you are truly "ready" to downsize. If you can't fly the shit out of a slow canopy you shouldn't be downsizing to a handkerchief! As HH says.....Safe Swoops!
"Shut up Dummy!"- Fred G Sanford

[riggerrob 643]

"If you can't fly the shit out of a slow canopy, you shouldn't be down-sizing to a handkerchif."

[rogue108 0]

Its possible to swoop any canopy. Swooping is more technique than canopy. Canopy and wing loading help, but I believe you should know how to fly a "larger" canopy before moving to a heavier wing loading.
I have been able to get more distance out of my regular Sabre loaded at 1.2 just by getting advice from my local swooper Heath Richardson.

[cloud9 0]

Well Flow
Maybe this will help some. I just started flying a Hornet 150 loaded at about 1.35. I have only 10 jumps on this canopy. So very little experience. Today was a no wind day, coming straight in no risers I had about a 30 ft. surf to a nice 2 step landing. So I'm sure with maybe a nice riser curve or if you got what it takes a hook turn you can surt one quite a ways at this wing loading.