Work Stinks! Boogie — Recap and Engagement

Sorry it’s taken me so long to develop a recap of last weekend…life has been a bit of a whirlwind since we returned home on Monday from the Work Stinks! Boogie at Start Skydiving.

This was the second year in a row that Rick and I attended this event, and let me just tell you that it was beyond amazing. This year there were significantly more attendees than last. They also added a CASA to the mix which was a huge hit! At one point on Sunday there was about an hour and 1/2 wait just to get on this aircraft. We also heard on Sunday that they flew more than 1,200 slots between the Otter, CASA and two caravans. Not too shabby!

Let me back up a few days here. So we’d heard that on Friday jumpers were grounded for most of the day due to winds. We also heard that winds were expected to be just as high on Saturday…which stunk because we wanted to jump, damn it!

Rick had mentioned that he wanted to get in at least one jump on Saturday, high winds or not – this seemed a bit fishy to me. Typically, I’m very quick to sit out with any kind of high wind activity, especially if it’s not completely steady. I’m proud to admit that I’m a wind pussy…better to be safe than to have a canopy collapse.

Anyhow, so the winds weren’t bad on Saturday morning so we jumped on the first CASA load available. We planned a linked head down exit transitioning into sit. Lucky for us the head down stuck almost immediately and we were able to hold it longer than anticipated. It doesn’t do much for video effect, but there’s definitely some audio I recommend checking out in this one.

Yep, you heard that correctly! After a year together as freefly partners, travel buddies and best friends we’re getting married! Woohoo.

The rest of Saturday was a bit breezy for my liking, though we were still able to get in a helicopter jump from the R44 they had on hand. We did a three way with our buddy Justin. I’d show the video, but seriously, it’s not worth much. I need a wide angle bad…this camera just isn’t cutting it!

Later that evening the winds died down a bit and we were able to get in another jump with our buddy Jonathan. Our head down exit went to poo, and Jonathan and Rick had some collisions that were fun to watch.

Sunday was the day we did two jumps with Norman Kent for our engagement photo shoot. The first jump went to shit, there’s no doubt about it. We had really high expectations for the skydive, doing belly work, to freefly and deployment video. My head got the best of me.

But, on round two it worked out perfectly. Head down to sit, recreating our engagement jump…and it actually went even better than the first.

We had such a great time this weekend. We took it easy as far as jumping goes, got to hang out with some great friends, jumped the CASA and Heli, and of course spent some fun time together as a newly engaged couple. Good stuff!

Now I’ve got a lot of video editing ahead…both for Jump for Diabetes and Work Stinks! I promise, once we’re back to normal, full weeks I’ll be back on a regular posting schedule.

Have a great weekend!

Love and Blue Skies!

Ashley

Boogie weekend

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.

(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