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False alarm – 6. May, 2010

The forecast didn’t look favorable for last weekend – not one bit. With a 60% chance of early afternoon thunderstorms, the crew pretty much assumed Saturday would be 1 and done as far as skydiving goes. Sunday looked even worse, with an 80% chance of storms all day.

Lucky for us, we were only weathered out for a short burst of cloudiness on Saturday and still got 15 loads up.

I was especially thankful as I had not been in the air since South Carolina – so I was jonesing BAD.

At sundown on Friday night, the 2nd annual Tom Watson party started. It included catering, gun shooting, couch burning, good friends, and a beer fire truck..seriously, look!

Beer truck *Photo by Mary Margaret Briggs

Oh, and there were also lots of great skydives! Joe Lunardi was the load organizer for the day, and he put together some great group freeflying and a fun tracking dive.

Here’s some proof from the weekend

This was also the first weekend for me and my 10 pound weight belt. That’s a story for another day.

Sunday’s weather panned out as expected – with lots of rain. But it was still a fun time at the dropzone, hanging out with friends, watching videos and chatting the day away!

Hope y’all had a good weekend! Looking forward to doing it again soon!

Blue Skies!

Ashley

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Posted in Drop Zones, Free Fall, Freefly, I'd Rather Be Skydiving, Skydiving Community, Uncategorized

Winter vacation: skydiving – 23. November, 2009

Last year, after taking a week-long trip to the Caribbean at the end of the winter, I made a decision that every year I’d take at least one vacation to warmer climates to rejuvinate. Trips of 5+ days are just plain good for the soul.

Naturally, this year my trip will revolve around skydiving – which is also highly beneficial to the soul, if I do say so myself.

bora-bora (Do you think they skydive in Bora Bora?)

The dilemma that keeps rearing it’s ugly head is the where factor. Mid-season this year we had a number of friends who were planning a trip to Eloy for a week around Valentine’s Day. I was pumped! It was skydiving buddies from Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. But recent conversations prove that people are changing their minds at a quick clip.

Between boogies in Puerto Rico, Florida and Arizona throughout the winter, we skydivers are torn on where to end up.

Personally, I wouldn’t mind going to Florida and visiting a few DZs, including Skydive Miami where my career started at the end of my last vacation. But I also know that sticking to a single DZ and/or boogie will be a much more relaxing experience than chasing DZs for a week.

Tandem 1 (With instructor Randy on the skydive that changed my life)

As of now, it’s me and my freefly partner making plans. Of course, we’re both pretty bad when it comes to making definititve decisions. It would be great to have other friends come along as well, though if it just ends up being us, I’m sure we’ll have no problem making new freefly friends at a week-long boogie.

So what are y’all planning for winter skydiving? Anyone going to an exciting boogie in warmer climates? We’re open to suggestions.

Blue skies!

Ashley

2 Comments

Posted in Drop Zones, Freefly, I'd Rather Be Skydiving, Jump buddies, Skydiving Community

Trust among skydivers – 4. November, 2009

*Photo by Lonnie Kirk

“You can trust a skydiver with your life, but not your money or your wife.”

This is one of many sayings that I’ve heard in the recent past – and not all of them are specific to the skydiving community. I’ve had ski and snowboard friends quote similar lines like, “you never lose your girlfriend, you only lose your turn.”

But that’s not the point. Believe it or not, this isn’t about relationship theft among athletes, it’s about trust.

Skydiving is a sport where you’re regularly trusting others with your safety. Whether it’s the pre-flight pin check, jumping with newbies on big-ways, or having someone pack your parachute, there’s some element of trust that needs to be involved.

You need to trust that these people are going to be thorough in their gear check, that they’re going to be safe on a dive, that they’ll double-check their work. And just like all other relationships, you have to trust that people care enough to take the proper precautions in the air and on the ground.

This is something I’ve come to learn with my regular jump buddies. I don’t think twice about asking any of my skydiving friends to give me a pin check or set my Cypress after donning my rig (what can I say, occasionally my mind slips and I’m too lazy or in too much of a rush to take off my rig before the next load). I’m always willing to try something new and exciting in the sky with my freefly partner. In fact, he’s the first person I turn to when I have any sort of doubt.

*Photo by Sandy Weltman

(Freefly partners in crime!)

Every skydiver needs a voice of reason. I’m extremely lucky to have someone so close to me who’s so supportive.

When I was going through student training, my instructor Tom was always there to provide insight. Having gone through ground school with him, I learned quickly that I could turn to him with any question, concern or issue that arose. In fact, I still can.

There aren’t many skydivers that I jump with regularly, or have jumped with in the past for that matter, that I don’t trust with just about any element of the sport. Of course, I do like to do my own packing – but that’s just one of those things.

The more time I spend in the sport, around other jumpers at different events and dropzones, the more I realize just how important trust is.

Doubts that creep up in your gut, the ones that make you stop and question, are there for a reason. If there’s someone you don’t trust in a certain situation, maybe you should avoid it if possible. Safety needs to come first, and sometimes listening to your gut – even if it means sitting out a load or not participating in a particular jump – is the safest option.

*Photo by Paul Iglin

(Recent balloon jump: this weekend I encountered a number of great jumpers that are extremely trustworthy. Great jumping with you, Neil!)

Finding other jumpers you can trust is critical to a happy, healthy skydiving career. As in life, positive relationships are built on trust, and what’s more fun than having lots of positive skydiving relationships to count on?

Blue Skies!

Ashley

1 Comment

Posted in Drop Zones, Freefly, Jump buddies, Skydiving Community

Oh the memories – 14. October, 2009

So I had every intention of speaking in greater detail today about some of the freefly jumps that were completed this weekend – with video and everything.

But, the video isn’t cooperating, which is a sign that it’s just not meant to be today.

Instead, I’d like to document some of my favorite memories from this season. There have been so many, and with the colder weather coming in (up here in the North, that is), what a better time to reflect on the season and document the best memories in permanent fashion – here on the interwebs.

Let’s go back in time, shall we, and dig up those events, photos, quotes, and times spent around the bonfire that made this season so great.

-Getting to be Bob’s last AFF student at Cleveland Parachute. What an amazing skydiver – and a great friend!

*Photo by Dan Mathie

-Working demos for Danger at Nelson Ledges.

Demo *Photo by Ashley Mead

-Making the move to Canton Air Sports as my home DZ and meeting so many great people in such as short amount of time.

-Completing water training in a pond with 5 men on one of the coldest mornings of the summer.

-Using my on-the-ground photography skills to help out Lonnie during the busy times at Canton Air Sports.

Lonnie *Photo by Lonnie Kirk (one of my first mentors and an incredible photographer)

-Howling with pure excitement under canopy when I finally got my track down.

-The nervousness and pure thrill of jumping my first pack job on my new rig.

(Not my first jump on the rig, but a recent photo of an approach)

-Passing my A-license check dive with Tom, my first instructor, and the ensuing hugs and celebrating with all my DZ friends.

-Getting a skydiving tattoo: closing pin on my right wrist.

tat1

-Jumping from a helicopter at the Work Stinks Boogie. Pure tranquility from 4,500 feet.

Heli3 *Photo by Norman Kent

-Meeting and having photo/video taken by Norman Kent (see above).

-Sitting up on my first attempt at a sitfly, and realizing just how much I love freeflying.

-Getting invited to jump with Team Magnuson and work on my RW skills during the Jump for Diabetes.

-Notable quotes:

Are those your legs, or are you riding a chicken?
HIM. HIM. F#@& HIM.
I like to chase my dad sometimes too!
Don’t over-think it. Just jump.
I’m calling that one the ‘reverse cowgirl!’
BEANS!

-The day I completed a 15 minute pack job and thought to myself “you know, I really don’t dread packing anymore.” And I haven’t minded it since.

-Meeting my freefly partner and planning some of the most exciting jumps of the season.

We even match!

-Celebrating the life of Dan Mathie with fellow skydivers who loved him.

Head Stand

-Attending my first boogie: Work Stinks at Start Skydiving in Lebanon, OH, and mingling with some of the most incredible jumpers.

-Getting to spend quality time with Danger and soaking up all the knowledge I could. You’ll continue to be an inspiration, Dan.

Demo Landing *Photo by Ashley Mead

-Bonding over beers, bonfires and shared experiences with the people who have become my dearest friends.

Looking back, skydiving has completely changed my life – for the better. Honestly, I can say that skydiving has saved my life. This sport has helped me become more self-aware and self confident than I ever dreamed imaginable.

It’s hard to believe how much has been accomplished in a few short months. Finishing out the season as a B-licensed skydiver, with more than 60 skydives under my belt, and a passion like I’ve never experienced before, I’m more than thrilled with how this season unfolded.

I can’t wait to see what the upcoming seasons bring.

What are some of your favorite memories of this skydiving season?

Blue skies!

Ashley

3 Comments

Posted in Around the bonfire, Drop Zones, Freefly, Jump buddies

Home Away from Home – 12. October, 2009

Over the course of the summer, Canton Air Sports has quickly become my home away from home – as is the case for most skydivers and their home DZ.

It’s a place that you look forward to visiting after a long week. A place where you find peace, tranquility, and happiness. A place where you’re all family – an often crazy, dysfunctional family that likes to throw themselves out of airplanes at 13,000 feet and marvel at the video footage after – but a supportive one none the less.

I cherish my home dropzone just as much as my real home. Between the bonfires, stories and advice shared, and great memories built in freefall with like-minded people, who wouldn’t look forward to a weekend at the DZ?

The friends I’ve made this season alone are some of the most incredible people I’ve ever met – and this weekend, I was lucky enough to celebrate the 35th anniversary of our home DZ with most of them.

It was a 5-jump weekend for me, four on Saturday – starting with a dead sprint to make the first load – and one on Sunday. What can I say, it was a long night and a very cold day at altitude. So, I might just be a freeze baby. What of it?

The weekend was filled with freefly jumps, lots of sit practice with my freefly partner and some excellent coaching opportunities with one of the most incredible freeflyers around. I feel more than fortunate to have been in the air with him and learned so much just from one-off conversations on the ground. Thanks, Joe!

Throughout the weekend we got to jump, eat, drink, and chat with those skydivers who share in the love of a great dropzone. The cookout was delicious, and after a long day of jumping, cracking open that first beer around the bonfire made for the perfect transition to a night of debauchery. I’ll spare you the details. What happens at the bonfire, stays at the bonfire.

(Diane and Rodger, Rick and myself hanging out with the rest of the crew at the bonfire.)

Though it’s all in good fun. Work hard, play hard. Right?

Come Sunday most of the experienced jumpers were moving a little slower than usual, but what’s a better hangover cure than a brisk 60 seconds in freefall?

This was one of the best jumps of the weekend for me. Two-man rolling train into a sit. I held a pretty decent sitfly – enough to participate in a two-man freefly with Joe as he went head down. This was also, by far, the best landing I’ve had with my canopy yet. Perfect braked approach into a landing where I wouldn’t have cracked an egg shell – and perfectly on target. Looks like I’m starting to get this 7-cell thing down. About time!

Due to the cold winds at altitude and the caravan having to leave earlier than expected, I called it a day after one jump. The rest of the afternoon was spent cleaning up from the night before and reminiscing over the hundreds of pictures that Sandy took over the weekend.

She was even nice enough to burn some onto a CD for me. Here’s a small blip of the events from the 35th anniversary celebration of Canton Air Sports. (Big thanks to Sandy and Lonnie Kirk for these amazing photos.)

(Dirt diving the 6-way hybrid. I was part of the 4-man base with Rick and Joe as hangers.)

(Sandy took lots of great shots of the sport jumpers under canopy!)

(Couple of freeflyers, always wanting to ‘hang’ around.)

(Now that’s what I call dirt dive concentration.)

Blue Skies!

Ashley

2 Comments

Posted in Around the bonfire, Drop Zones, Free Fall, Freefly, Jump buddies, Skydiving Community

35th Anniversary of Canton Air Sports – 9. October, 2009

This weekend is the official celebration of the 35th anniversary of my home DZ, Canton Airsports in Alliance, OH.

As a dropzone that has become, literally, a weekend home to us NE Ohio jumpers, we’re excited to gather together and celebrate as a family.

DZ Family (A coincidental find by my good friend Christa in a local parking lot. Makes me smile!)

The caravan will once again be on loan from the ever generous John Hart of Start Skydiving. We’ve been lucky to have a bigger plane for certain weekends this year, including the inaugural, and highly successful, Jump for Diabetes that was held in August.

The weather is supposed to be beautiful in our neck of the woods this weekend too!

So hopefully, you’ll see us all in our glory, jumping and packing and dirt diving away, and spending some quality time together around the bon fire in celebration of 35 great years as a premier Ohio dropzone.

DZ group (Yep, we’re a crazy group, but we love each other! Photo courtesy of Lonnie Kirk)

If you’re in the area, stop on by for a load or two, or even an after-hours beer. All are welcome at Canton Airsports.

Where ever you end up this weekend…

Blue skies!

Ashley

2 Comments

Posted in Drop Zones, Jump buddies, Skydiving Community, Uncategorized

A friend and mentor: Danger – 22. September, 2009

As I’ve mentioned a number of times before, one of the best parts about being in the skydiving community is the people.

Since the community is rather small, when skydivers meet each other they find an instant bond. I’ve been extremely fortunate in my first season as a skydiver to have met some of the best friends and mentors a girl could ask for. Today, I’d like to remember one in particular.

My skydiving career started with a tandem jump, just for kicks, while on vacation. I knew after that first jump that I had to do it again. So I did. Another tandem. This time, at my home DZ, Cleveland Parachute Center in Garrettsville, Ohio.

My dear friend Christina and I headed down on a Sunday morning in April to meet our tandem instructors and learn a little bit more about the sport. Through 45 minutes of on-the-ground instruction by Dan, we were able to learn about circle of awareness and pull our own ripcords during the jump.

I was lucky enough to be paired with Dan on this jump and had a blast. This was the jump where I walked away knowing that this was the sport for me. Dan and I de-briefed and we talked about the next steps of the AFF program. Three weeks later I was back at the DZ, ready to become a skydiver.

When I walked in, Dan immediately recognized me as his former tandem student. He gave me a great deal on my video packages for my first two AFF jumps, and acted as my instructor for my third.

Throughout my time as a student, Dan was there to walk me through everything from landing patterns, to equipment checks, to my first attempts at freeflying. He became much more than an instructor and mentor, he became a friend.

Dan was the person who inspired me to reach the highest goals in skydiving. He recommended the freefall photography path that I so much desire to achieve. He taught me to relax. He encouraged me.

I was even lucky enough to be his ground crew on demos – even if it was only to take pictures on the ground.

Demo

Dan has not only been a positive skydiving influence, but he’s taught me so much about life, and living it to it’s fullest. For a man of little words, each one was filled with the passion that he had for life.

I am forever grateful to have met, worked with, and befriended such a wonderful person, and feel blessed to have had the opportunity to fly with him this season.

Danger, you will forever be loved and missed. You will continue to inspire freeflyers, belly flyers, and swoopers alike, as your stories live on. Thanks for all you taught me about skydiving, about passion, about life.

Blue skies.

Ashley

Dan ‘Danger’ Mathie: 1979-2009

Update: Today’s memorial for Dan was beautiful. His closest friends and family joined together to mourn the loss of this wonderful man, and to celebrate his life just as he’d want. There was even the appropriate toast with shots of Mountain Dew. Having been a part of Dan’s life means the world to me, as does being a part of the wonderful skydiving community that celebrated together this evening. Dan’s spirit will forever live on in the lives of those he’s touched. Blue skies, buddy.

2 Comments

Posted in Freefly, Jump buddies, Skydiving Community

Boogie weekend – 3. September, 2009

This weekend is Labor Day, and for skydivers, that likely means attending a boogie, or three.

All around the country you’ll find some of the biggest boogies of the season.

Let me take a step back here. Boogies, for those who may not be aware, are basically big skydiving parties. Dropzones host a boogie, usually bringing in different types of aircraft, sometimes balloons and helicopters, and skydivers travel hundreds of miles with their friends to camp out for the weekend to jump and party with (after hours of course) other like-minded skydivers.

richmond 2007 (Photo from “The Boogie” 2007 at Skydive Richmond. The official boogie has been cancelled this year, however they’re still flying an Otter if you’re planning to head that way.)

Some of these boogies have world-record attempts too! This is the case for the Labor Day boogie I’ll be attending this year.

My friend Rick, you remember, the one who hosted the amazing Jump for Diabetes a few weeks back, and I will be heading down to Start Skydiving in Lebanon, Ohio for the Work Stinks Boogie.

They will have a Super Skyvan, two Caravans, a PAC 750XL, two Enstrom Helicopters, a 206 for hop-n-pops and their own Hot Air Balloon.

Organizers include; 40 ways with Guy Wright. Other ways with John Woody and Niklas Hemlin. Swooping with Team Fastrax Swoop. CRW with John Hart and Travis Donley. Freeflying with Melanie Johnson and Brad Hunt.

There also will be some world record attempts going on. Follow me on Twitter to keep up on how that’s progressing.

It’s only $35 if you pre-register. Last I heard they had over 200 skydivers already registered. Should be an amazing time. Visit the Work Stinks Boogie page to register or find out more information.

Of course, if you’re not in the Midwest, or don’t feel like driving to Lebanon – but after all I just told you, there’s no excuse not to make that drive – here are some of the other Labor Day boogies that are happening.

Deadman Boogie III. Skydive Temple. Salado, Texas. 9/4-9/7. They’ll have an Otter and a helicopter, and a can’t miss toga party on Sunday. Specials for tandems including a $180 jump special with an $80 video package. See Dropzone.com for more info.

Tiki Bar Weekend. Skydive New England. Lebanon, Maine (not to be confused with Lebanon, OH). 9/4-9/7. With a Casa, Super Otter, and Helicopter, this boogie is not to be missed. PD and Sun Path will be there on tour this weekend for demos. Be sure to get out there and take advantage.

4-day Otter Weekend. Skydive Gananoque. Ontario, Canada. “Feel the Breeze” lingerie jumps, freefly, wingsuit, hoop jumps and more. Click here for more information.

Labor Day Hellfish Boogie. Skydive Tecumseh. Tecumseh, Michigan. Between the Super Skyvan, Super Twin Otter, and C-182, there will be plenty of Freefly, RW and wingsuit organizing. Swoop competition. Come prepared for the infamous Hellfish Toga Party which is sure to please.

Fun after Competition Boogie. Dropzone Prostejov. Czech Republic. 9/7-9/13. World class freefly coaching and load organizing for freefly and RW. Check out Dropzone.com for more information.

What boogies are you planning to attend this year?

Where ever you end up this Labor Day weekend….

Blue Skies!

Ashley

1 Comment

Posted in Drop Zones, Jump buddies, Skydiving Community

Weekend happenings – 21. August, 2009

This weekend is panning out to be just as exciting as the last. As one that originally started out fairly laid-back in terms of jumping, I’ve managed to quickly load up my skydiving agenda.

Of course, I’m not complaining.

Saturday, Aerodyne will be at Skydive Tecumseh for a demo tour. This is a great chance for anyone who is thinking about getting a Pilot or Triathlon (read: me) to head on out and test their canopies and complete rigs at no cost.

You better believe I jumped at this opportunity! (cheesy pun not intended)

Sunday I’ll be headed back to Canton Air Sports to jump with my friend Rick on his 200th and maybe even dabble with some free fly. I’ve been dreaming of giving my free fly skills a test for a while and now seems like an ideal time.

If you’re not near Tecumseh or Canton, below are a few other events around the world I recommend checking out. Oh, and if you are in the area, why don’t you come out and jump with me!

8/22 – Target Skysports, UK. 50-way formation skydiving and Skyvan weekend event. Click here for more details.
8/22 – 8/23 – Skydive City, Zephyrhills. PD demo weekend. Performance Designs will be setting up camp in Z-hills this weekend. Demo canopies and PD swag as expected. Check out Dropzone.com for more information.
8/25 - Cross Keys & Freefall Adventures. Swoop club for all canopy pilots. More details at Dropzone.com.

Where ever you end up this weekend…

Blue Skies!

Ashley

6 Comments

Posted in Drop Zones, Skydiving Community, Skydiving Gear

Jump for Diabetes – 13. August, 2009

ada

As many of you who follow me on Twitter are probably aware – more like irritated, as I’ve crammed this announcement into your TweetDecks everyday – this weekend is the inaugural Jump for Diabetes at Canton Air Sports.

Organized by skydiver, and good friend, Richard Simenc, this event supports a great cause. With a goal of raising $20,000, all proceeds will benefit the American Diabetes Association to promote awareness and find a cure.

This event is more than just jumping from airplanes. We’ll be having bands, raffles, auctions and giveaways including a free skydive or airplane ride every three hours from 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15 through 10 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16.

If you have interest in helping support the ADA by pledging jumps or buying raffle tickets (you don’t need to be present to win the grand prizes that include a free A-license package, jump credit, and cold hard cash to name a few) e-mail me: theskydivechick {at} gmail {dot} com.

For more details on the event, visit http://www.jumpfordiabetes.com.

Better yet, come on our to Canton Air Sports this weekend and support this great cause in person, meet some amazing skydivers, and jump with me!

Blue Skies!

Ashley

1 Comment

Posted in Drop Zones, Jump for a Cause, Skydiving Community

Posts Tagged ‘Skydiving Community’

False alarm – 6. May, 2010

Winter vacation: skydiving – 23. November, 2009

Trust among skydivers – 4. November, 2009

Oh the memories – 14. October, 2009

Home Away from Home – 12. October, 2009

35th Anniversary of Canton Air Sports – 9. October, 2009

A friend and mentor: Danger – 22. September, 2009

Boogie weekend – 3. September, 2009

Weekend happenings – 21. August, 2009

Jump for Diabetes – 13. August, 2009

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