I’ve Got No Chance

Hello Roy

I am a skydiver in Belgium and I admire Hayabusa and I am proud to see you guys waving the flag for Flanders. But I find it is a bit demoralizing to me. I really like to do 4-way but I feel there is no future in it. You guys are always going to be the Belgian National Team so it will be impossible for me ever to go to a World Meet. I am now thinking to take up 8-way, as maybe there is a chance for me that way to go to a World event. But, it is very hard to find seven skilled people that are available. Do you have any advice?

Greetz
Benjamin

Hi Benjamin,

First of all I believe if you love doing 4-way, you should keep doing it! I understand what you are trying to say that you don’t think that you get a change to go to a World Meet in the FS 4-way event as long as Hayabusa is around. There are a few things on my mind that I would like to tell you…

Anything Can Happen

As you know we are in the Army and each year there is an evaluation regarding our results and budget. If the ‘big-boss’ one day decides that we have to stop, than we are done. Secondly, we are all getting older and sooner or later one, or more of us, will stop competing. This is a time where the team will be weak(er). This can be your chance to take over the National title.

Be the Best

I personally believe that the biggest goal in competing is not to become World Champion (or to compete at a World Meet) but to be the best flyer you possibly can! Besides the World Meet there are also many other competitions that are great to do, you don’t even need to be the National team.

Weekend Warriors

Just to remind you to our situation several years ago when we were also weekend jumpers. The former Military team were the only professionals in Belgium but we were eager to compete against them. Our first objective was to become National Champions. Nobody gave us any chances to beat them; it was like David against Goliath. But we loved what we were doing and we tried to become as good as possible, we all just simply lived for 4-way. Because we trained hard and gave everything that we got, we could beat the ‘Pros’ in their weak moment. Ever since 2004 we have been the National team, the ‘amateurs’.

Do what you Love

See it also in this way, you have a National team that has a lot of experience and knowledge, use their ‘know-how’ to reach your own goals and to become a better flyer. When 4-way is your passion, if this is what you really love, keep doing it! It doesn’t matter who the National Champions are now, if you believe in it, you can be next!!

Yours, Rolls