The news is out and people are getting excited. Yes, new Women’s European Records are being planned by a very cool group of women: Lesley Gale, Lise Nansen, Marloes Swarthoff and Alia Veselova – oh, and me!
There are two records in the offing – a Sequential 50-way, August/September 2016 and a 100+way event during August/September 2017, both at Teuge, the Netherlands (Holland).
Want to play? Me too! But how?
Our five captains only had a tiny allocation, 9 slots each on this year’s Sequential record, so if you didn’t get an invite, don’t be discouraged. Next year we will double the size of the load and it’s perfectly possible to be selected – if you start working on it NOW!
This year’s record event will be run alongside a big-way camp, which is the perfect place to work on skills, show yourself to the selection team, and even – if you’re really lucky – lurk on this year’s record. We have saved four slots for the 50-way Sequential European Women’s Record, to be filled by the most promising on the big-way camp! The big-way camp will also be used as a bench if we need to replace people, so there is every reason to come and join the party!
Maybe you live in an area without large aircraft, or far from the known organizers? Maybe you are a bit nervous about the thought of 100+ canopies in the air? What is the best way to hone your skills? How do you learn and be seen and get invited?
1. Jump
Just add air. Skydiving is a sport that is learned by repeating the basics, over and over. The record is in October 2017. You have 18 months. Start working on it NOW.
2. Do some big ways
A 100 way is large. REALLY large. For that reason we will want to see that most, if not all, of the women have been on – at a minimum – some 50+ way formations. The best way to learn this is to attend the big-way camps, for example the P3 Skydiving big-way /100-way camp series in May 2016, at Skydive Perris. Plus the most important qualifier/skills-builder, a major try-out event for the 2017 record and a chance to get on the 2016 record – the Women on Wings big-way camp, detail here.
3. Learn about your canopy
Take a canopy course. Learn how to fly and land your canopy, and how to evade other canopies on opening! Do some Crew. Watch landings, listen and learn.
4. Tunnel
Big-way in a tunnel? Yes ma’am. You can learn all kinds of techniques including stability drills and perfect your slow and fast fall body positions. Most of big-way skydiving is being able to handle changes in fall rate. There are tunnels EVERYWHERE and you can tunnel in horrid weather, so make it happen.
5. Visualize
Your brain is the most important muscle in your body. Use it. skydivingphotography.com has a ton of big-way videos that are available for viewing and download. Watch them. Learn from them. Put yourself in them. It works.
6. Train your body
Run, climb, yoga, weights. Keep your body in fine jumping form over the winter and you will be less likely to get tired or injured during big jumping days.
7. Get friends and family support
It’s a EUROPEAN RECORD! Go for it. There will be jumps available for your friends, your partners, your mates. Make the goal of your record a family event.
I can’t wait to see you in Teuge in September – and hopefully many times before then.
See P3 Skydiving and Eurochicks Facebook page for big-way camp info.
Images used in this article are from previous Women’s Records, organised by Kate, Lesley, Lise, Marloes & Alia.
