Every day I get to see the Nationals 4-way trophy. I’m gloating but I deserve to because my team won the Nationals and I’m still buzzing! I value the trophy as a symbol of unwavering determination, and seeing my name on it makes me feel extremely proud. The harder I train and the more I understand about what it takes to get to the top, the more I respect the best teams and most especially the individuals who just keep going. I want to know what makes people like John and Pete tick.
How many attempts did you take to pass your Cat 10 [FS1]?
Pete I lost count of the number of times that I tried to close third and fourth (that’s what we had to do back in the Dark Ages) but I’m going to guess at ten. I remember lots of tumbling out of planes, hoping for at least a view of the three people that I was supposed to be docking on.
John From memory, it only took a couple of tries as I and some friends had plenty of practice. As soon as we had passed our Cat 8s we used to manifest ourselves as three solos and exit as close together as possible… trying our best to look like individuals! Then we’d dive at each other and eventually build a 3-way – most of the time! I’m not sure it was the best route but I still have some great memories from that time.
What was your first team?
Pete A team with a Dutchman, an American and two Brits. We all started jumping at Ipswich in the 70s and did a team with a goal to travel to other DZs, and to check out the girls – which worked for me as I met my first wife! Symbiosis was my first ‘proper’ team.
What do you look for in your teammates?
Pete Similar passion for 4-way, with an attitude that is more ‘what can I do for the team?’ rather than ‘what can the team do for me?’.
John Well I guess all my teammates from XL had all the qualities I would look for. We quit in 2003, but whenever we meet there is still a strong connection and friendship. After joining Satori as player coach, I recognised something in them that renewed my love for skydiving. There is an amazing enthusiasm to learn and at the same time enjoy their training. My favorite quality in a team player is an ability to keep quiet, talk when necessary and get on with it!
Who are your mentors?
Pete Mum ‘n’ Dad, Symbiosis, Scot Meek, Dan BC, Jack Jefferies, my past and current team mates and both of my kids.
What other sports are you into?
John Big into mountain biking, downhill free riding, cross country. Also into running, gym plus loads of other active stuff.
You spent eight years on XL, was it an eight-year plan?
Pete No, it started off as a two year plan that succeeded and therefore opened the door to the possibility of XL and the long term. We won the UK Nationals in ’95/6, then Andy Grimwade offered us the chance to go full-time at his new DZ in Sebastian, Florida. Since I was 15 I had wanted to train with a team full-time.
I am very pleased with what we achieved with XL Not winning a world medal was frustrating but also what helped keep us training and pushing our abilities. I hope that some of what we did is partly responsible for the incredible talent that we have in the UK now.
John, is the fire in your belly a gift or a curse?
John I guess the answer to that is both a curse and gift.
Where is your favourite place?
John At home watching a movie with the family, training with Satori, mountain biking in Scotland or the Alps.
How do you feel about winning the British 4-way Nationals twelve times?
John Actually I feel pretty proud. One of my goals set back in the early nineties was to win the 4-way nationals just once – that’s what I told Judi anyway! I guess I enjoyed that feeling so much I had to carry on.
Pete Since I first wandered on to a DZ at the age of 12 and saw the sport of competition skydiving, I wanted to win just one National Championship. The satisfaction yet frustration of always trying to get better and deal with all the challenges along the way took over.
Do you have any regrets?
John None. I could say I wish I had a pension, bigger house, savings, better car, security, but that’s not me. Oh yeah, lots of top competitors said we made a mistake splitting in 2003 when we had a pretty strong team that could have carried on to collect some medals. I’m not sure about that though!
The open 4-way is dominated by USA and France, what do they have that we don’t?
Pete The UK has the same passion and talent as USA and France but there is an environment in both of those countries that makes it easier to breed champions. In France there is a national association that dedicates itself to creating World Champions, one that trains its ex champions to become national coaches. The athletes chosen for the national team are given the opportunity to train full-time. In America, the breeding ground for teams is sponsorship from DZs or the US Army, basically giving the opportunity to train full-time.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
John My advice probably wouldn’t help too much! When Pete and I first talked, and then followed through with going full time with XL, nothing was going to stop us. We decided on a rough plan of training with Toby Stafford and Chris Lynch then we all moved to Florida, originally without sponsorship of any kind. I turned up with 50 dollars looking for packing or coaching work. I left the family at home with the task of renting out our house and joining me later. Our intention was to train hard then head off to the World Meet, 1997 in Turkey and then probably call it a day. I ended up spending nine years in Florida. In my case I had such a desire to do what I did, there was no stopping me.
Pete, you compete at the World Challenge, the World Championships and various Nationals all with different teams, how do you do it?
Pete I have a very understanding wife!
How about you John?
John Well umm err…! I also have an understanding wife and family! I’ve just got to do it , whether its skydiving, surfing, mountain biking, climbing, whatever. I’ve been splitting my time between training with Satori 10 days per month , 10 days plus as a self employed Sparky, several days working at Bodyflight tunnel in Bedford and at Airkix wind tunnel in Manchester, just ten minutes from our house. I find the time away really makes me appreciate the time at home.
I have heard that the competition bug is like a curse, and that you never feel completely satisfied with your performance so you have to keep trying to improve. What I know for sure is that people like Pete Allum and John McIver inspire me to keep going. It’s impressive to be the best once but to do it repeatedly a dozen times is extraordinary.
