The Christmas New Year’s Boogie at Skydive Arizona staff saw the drop zone pulling out all the stops to make sure there was something for absolutely everyone at this year’s boogie. The aircraft fleet included Skydive Arizona’s Otters, Skyvans, and the DC3. Burner’s Skydive Arizona hot air balloon High But Dry Ballooons was also available for jumps most mornings and afternoons. The weather was nearly perfect for most of the boogie with afternoon highs frequently reaching the 70s.

Daily Organizers

Load organizers from the Arizona Training Center, Arizona Airspeed, and Arizona Arsenal were on hand for the full event for belly flyers and free flyers, and Sean ‘Monkey’ Horton was available to organize wingsuits. The drop zone also hosted numerous skydiving events for those who wanted more structure to their jumping days.

These events included an AXIS Flight School B-License Canopy course complete with water training; Women’s FS Sequentials with Brianne Thompson (AXIS Flight School) and Sara Curtis (Arizona Arsenal); 4-way and big way Days with Arizona Airspeed; Hybrid Day, Tracking/Angle Flying Day, a Head Down Formation Day, and an Upright Formation Day with Arizona Arsenal. Jump tickets were discounted to $21, registration was minimal.

Nightly Parties

The fun continued every night after sunset with free boogie beer for all registered jumpers. To help cut down on drinking and driving, Skydive Arizona offered a free shuttle service for boogie participants every night from Christmas to New Year. Evening seminars were offered some evenings including Canopy Flight with AXIS Flight School, Intro to 4-Way FS with Arizona Airspeed, Big-Way Flying with Arizona Airspeed, Tracking & Angle Flying with Arizona Arsenal, and Basics of Free Fly with Arizona Arsenal.

The boogie also offered free appetizers on Christmas Eve at the Bent Prop, a movie night, a Hypnotist show, a Skyvan Tailgate party (to celebrate the arrival of Skydive Arizona’s new Skyvans number six and number seven), an 80s Dance Party, a bonfire and hot dog roast (an annual Skydive Arizona tradition), and a wish lantern release.

Exras

The biggest hits for evening entertainment were definitely Casino Night and the New Year’s Eve Party. The top prize for Casino Night was a trip to Lost Prairie/Skydive AZ Christmas Boogie 2014 won by Jesse Williams. Other prizes included SkyVenture Arizona tunnel time, Skydive Arizona jump tickets, Bent Prop gift certificates, a Phantom X helmet from Square 2, a balloon jump from High But Dry Ballooons, massages from Toltec Wellness Center, and lots of other prizes from Rigging Innovations, Cypres, Bev Suits, Vigil, UPT Vector, and Icarus Canopies.

Summary

The New Year’s Eve Party included free champagne and a balloon drop at midnight. Select balloons contained even more awesome prizes from our fantastic sponsors. Overall, it was a great boogie. Everyone had a chance to relax and have fun but also work on developing their skills in their chosen disciplines. Thanks to all the Skydive Arizona staff for their hard work that made this event run smoothly. And of course thanks so much to the 500 skydivers who came out to play!