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Sup Homeslice!! Good to hear from your punk ass too! Mel & I are getting there on Thursday sometime. I specifically requested off work Thursday thru Monday, so I'm stoked. We're just gonna chill on Thursday afternoon and relax in the greater metropolitan area of Thomaston. Can't wait yo! Definitely good times comin!! Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

Here's some mo' foto Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

Just some past fotos of the people going to be @ the spot!! Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

Yeah yeah...not too much longer until ATL!! Definitely, Mel & i will be there Friday to jump. See all you girls and guys out there!! p.s. - everybody think: "good weather" Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

Props on the swoop video. Can't wait to see some more! Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

I don't have any time under VX's, but typically the basic swoop is relatively similar. You know the whole: optimal powerband, starting with a nice 270 initiating on front risers (whatever your preference is), coming off the powerband, trimming out with rear risers, and transfering to toogles. Of course there's much much more for me to learn about swooping, but I find that my rear risers are fine without modifications. The only thing I changed about my risers is that I got the 24" Swooper Mod Risers from Sunpath. It has very nice large front riser loops that are reinforced by stiffeners (whatever you might call it). I was reading the previous responses regarding the material that the CRW people use. I'm not too educated on the CRW mods, but seems like that would be a good idea if it's something you'd want to do. In my opinion, I think that would be a much safer way to go about getting a better grip on your rears than the slider bumpers. I definitely would NOT advise on using your slider bumpers for gripping. I personally do not think it's a safe way to go about getting a grip on your rears. Especially if you say that the bumpers are sliding down and it's making you carve your canopy involuntarily at times. That's just my point of view though. Definitely ask around your DZ and others what they think is a safe alternative. Better yet, if you have access to some of the guys and girls on the Pro Tour, try to get their opinion on the matter. Great luck to you and safe swooping!! Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

I was reading your post and was just curious if I heard you right. You "stab" your REAR risers at the beginning of your swoop? Just out of curiousity, what's your method of initiating your swoop. Myself, the only time I touch my rears during a swoop is after I've done my 270 and I'm trimming out and flaring it out as flat as I can get it before I transfer to toggles. Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

What's up Paul! Nice shot of your swoop....but man, you're getting your rig all wet!? Just kiddin'....keep rippin' it up out there and Mel and I will see you soon! Coming to the Atlanta Halloween Boogie?? p.s. - guess what? I got myself a Velocity! Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

I definitely am loving Nancy's craft work with her Ouragan Suits. Several people at my dropzone have them and I just received mine. My girlfriend ended up designing a freestyle suit and she loves hers. I'm essentially the same size as you are (I'm 6'0" and 200 lbs) and I ended up getting an "in-between". I didn't want the DB/GP cut, but I didn't get the standard. Fits perfect for me, since I don't like much drag. I like to have just a touch of flap (you know that weight flux of 5 lbs or so in the winter), but keep this in mind..........a good freeflyer can fly in anything. Whether it's jeans/shirt, freefly suit (baggy/tight), or whatever, it all comes down to practicing and flying your ass off. Don't let anyone tell you that they can't fly slow/fast. It all comes down to their ability to utilize their flying skills. And though drag does help some people (kind of like training wheels), it's not a necessity. But all in all, get the fitted suit that you like best. I myself like the tighter fit. Happy flyin' and safe swoops!!!! Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

Though I've only been actively swooping for just 3 to 4 months, I'm definitely looking forward to getting an opportunity to receive some formal swoop and piloting training. It's tough to find that kind of training where I live at (Louisiana), but I was chatting with Ian Bobo at last summerfest about trying to get over to Florida (or wherever the PD boyz might be) and getting some training. I have a couple of friends who are relatively new to swooping and they ended up getting some training with Ian this past year. They said similar things about their training being well worth the money. It's all those little tid bits of detail in swooping that set great swoopers at the local DZs and the Pros apart from each other. Hopefully someday I can travel to get some canopy training sometime soon. In the meanwhile, I'm just enjoying the hell out of my new Velocity and lovin' those high hop n' pops with my friends. Safe swoops and blue skies!! Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

What's up, Ian?! Yeah, I've definitely got a grin from ear to ear now that I have my new toy in. I bought it used and with a low amount of jumps on it. For sure, I'm lovin' my new Velo. As for the FLPCA, I wish so bad that I could join you all to compete. I'm practicing hard and just having fun with it for now. Perhaps in the future! Maybe one day I'll just able to hang with all you boyz down there in FL and Atlanta. Right now, I'm lovin' every second under canopy. See you at the Halloween Freefly Festival!!!!!!!! Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

Great little video of the Sabre2 doing it's thing. I'm a big fan of the Sabre2 (eventhough I jump a Velocity now) and I'd recommend it to anyone who is looking for that sense of versatility in a canopy. I know my girlfriend loves hers, as well as many other people who own them. Best of luck to you and your up coming canopy! Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

Hey guys, I am currently flying a Xaos-21 108 and i'm loading it at 2.04. It's my first crossbraced canopy and I have about 200 jumps on it. I wanted to start of slow and I figured it was a nice transition from the Stilleto 120 I'd been jumping for a little while. I've been focusing on my swooping alot recently and I've found that 2.04, my distance has been great on that wing loading. I've been trying different style approaches and turn initiations and my Xaos tends to want to pull out of it's dive sooner than I'd like. Of course with a 2.04, it would seem about right. I've been chatting with TJ a good bit about it lately and I'm looking to demo or even maybe buy a Xaos-27 98. Not sure what I'm going to do, but I like what I hear about the 27's. I'm definitely looking for a longer recovery arc, but I don't want to sacrifice the distance and versatility. Overall, my Xaos-21 has been treating great and I love it! Nice dives, long swoops (with my wing loading), versatile, flies great, and not to mention....the best openings (knock on wood)!!!!! I'm still shopping around, but so far I'm very happy.

What's up what's up?!?! Major props out to Brian for 1st place in the Advanced! It's supa cool to see ya rippin' it up out there in Wildwood. C'mon man, just a little bit of mojo?? Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

Yeah yeah!! I can't wait until SkyFest '04 weekend @ Spaceland! Sounds like it'll be a busy few days of partying and jumping. I'm definitely there, along with the Gold Coast Crew. Let's all hope for the best as far as weather is concerned too. I'll see everyone there!! Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

Thanks Shimell, it was supa cool flying with and watch you swoop! I'm so glad I was able to make it out and just hang with everybody. I'd love to make it to another swoop comp sometime in the future (whenever that may be). In the meantime, I'll just practice practice practice! See ya soon! Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

I wanted to say a XL "Thanks" to everybody out in Tally this past weekend at the swoop comp!! Being that it was my first swoop comp, I wasn't sure what to expect. I realize now that I have much to learn and many fun times ahead of me learning!! This is one of the biggest jump starts in my time as a skydiver and I can't wait to experiment more with my canopy and learn to be a better pilot! Special thanks to Ian D. for taking the time to explain a few little tricks of the trade. Cool hanging out with ya brother!! Mel and I will definitely see you soon. I keep thinking about all those little details that you and Kremmons were talking about that night. I'm looking forward to doing more hop n' pops and applying those techniques (in the safest possible fashion of course). Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

Yes, I'm definitely there! Sounds like mad fun at Skydive ATL for the coming weekend. I'm just hoping the weather will hold it's end of the bargain. Can't wait to see everybody there. Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

What's up Blu?! It's Jason Jerusalem from the Base!! Mad props to your video of the 42-way World Record. Is there any way that I can get a DV tape copy of the video?? I'll definitely cover your shipping and whatever cost it involves. Anyway....Lovin' the video and the song definitely captures how it felt to be with the Record Crew!! Keep it up brotha and I'll see ya around sometime very soon!!!! Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

I definitely watch my openings each snivel. My Xaos-21 opens great and every now and then I get off-heading openings, but they aren't whippy or anything. I actually can steer my openings with very little input most of the time. Being aware at all times of the skydive is critical of course. Keeping your eyes open to the airspace in front, above, and below you is vital. All canopies open differently and everybody's preference whether to watch their openings are different as well. Have fun, fly safe, and do what works for you! Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

I'm ordering my next freefly suit and I'm getting it from Nancy at Ouragan Suits (DeLand, FL). I've never really been excited about many of the freefly suits out on the market in the past 8 years. I DO have to say though that the suits and swoop pants I've seen Nancy make are THE BEST. The quality and style are absolutely amazing and I'm excited to get my next freefly suit from Ouragan. She will design ANYTHING you want her to and the customer service is the best I've ever experienced. I can't wait! Check out: www.ouragansuits.com

Fo' shizzle, Trent! Not too shabby for a tubby Asian guy, huh? Well, if you need some tips on speed or if you just want someone to go video your speed skydives, I'd be happy to film you. I don't think I'd have a problem keeping up...hahahahahahaha...just kiddn'!! Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

Sorry to hear of your problems with the ol'school iPods. I myself had one of the very first 5 GB iPod and I have to say that it was flawless. I ended up selling it to a buddy of mine and he's lovin' it now. I also owned the 20 GB iPod and it never gave me a problem. That one I also sold to a friend and then I treated myself to the new 40 GB iPod. So far no problems whatsoever. I think you might have just run into a batch of bad luck with buying the iPods. I hope you have better luck with the new Mini iPods.

Wicked cool picture!! Jason Jerusalem life@jasonjerusalem.com

Hmmm...I find it interesting how there are some people in this world (even on DZ.com) that have the time to write such an elaborate piece on the complaints on how others are more fortunate financially than some. I do understand some peoples frustrations with their own monetary position. But when you think about it, it comes down to being jealous. Like another person said in their reply, there are markets out there that are more in demand. Which in turn, those people who are successful in that market will make more money. Why do some people complain about how others are better off (whether it's because of hard work or luck), when they could use that time and energy doing something about it. Use that time to study and/or work harder and find ways around the system which you can use to your advantage in the future. You never know, someday you may be one of those individuals that others talk about who make too much money and don't work as hard in life to maintain it.