Big-way Bites 6 – MENTAL ASPECTS

Posted onAuthorKate Cooper-Jensen

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90 per cent of large formation skydiving is in the head…

Scott Latinis always gives his all to each dive
Photo by George Katsoulis

Give 110% for the entire dive!

Don’t get lazy. It is easy to fall into a trap of complacency when performing the same slot on a one-point skydive jump after jump. This leads most often to brain locks or personal errors in judgement. Don’t be a victim. Yes, things will happen. You may have a bad exit. Someone might fly underneath you, or land on you. You may feel push, lift or drag after you are docked. Skydive as if you are the only person who can save the formation. Be a hero. If more people took this proactive approach to skydiving we would be in more completed formations. Trust me on that.

It is easy to fall into a trap of complacency when performing the same slot on a one-point skydive jump after jump”

Author Kate setting the headspace at Brit Chicks Record
Photo by Stikkos

Set Personal Goals Every Jump

They should be small achievable goals but something that allows you to land from and take pride on having accomplished exactly what you set out to do.

Debriefing

Watch video, listen to the debrief and learn. Take what you like from the debrief, learn from it, and discard the rest. Both good things and things that could be improved upon will be commented on. This is for the good of the group and is never intended to belittle or slight a person. If you are used as an exam­ple, take the information and use it to improve. Remember that you can often learn more from a mistake than from many good dives. Learn from other people’s mistakes as well as accomplishments.

Listen to those around you. There is most likely a wealth of information on the same plane with you. Ask questions. Don’t think it’s a ‘stupid’ question. Trust me – others will want to know the answer too.


Listen to the debrief and learn
Photo shows Dan debriefing at Perris by Gary Wainwright

Enjoy the journey

Do not forget to enjoy the journey. Set goals and work to complete them, but do not bank your pleasure in skydiving solely on completions. The joy in large formation skydiving is the journey of bringing many individuals – whether 40 or 400 – together and making them into a team. Not all who try will be on a record. For those who are, history awaits you. For those who are not, if you do your best and improve your skills then accept the event as a success regardless of the formal outcome and you will enjoy your big-way adventures as you progress.

history awaits you”

Photo from Power Play 2019 at Skydive Perris
Photo by George Katsoulis

Visualise perfection, stick your legs out and smile!

Big-way Bites Series

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Meet: Kate Cooper-Jensen

Kate Cooper-Jensen started skydiving in 1978 and quickly became a prominent figure in the sport. Kate founded P3 Skydiving, together with Tony Domenico, the first big-way skydiving school, and has helped countless people achieve their big-way and record dreams.
Kate has been a participant and many times an organiser in over 30 World and National Records.

Organizer of numerous women's world records including 118-way (1999), 132-way (2002), 151-way (2005), 181-way (2009). Sequential women's world and open world record 117-way (2014), Sequential women's European and World Records 2-and 3-point 46-way, (2016); 2- and 3-point 56-way, 2016 and 3 x 60-way (2018).

Raised 1.9 million for breast cancer charities. Recipient of the USPA gold medal for meritorious achievement (2015). Inducted into Skydiving Hall of Fame (2019).

Kate is sponsored by Skydive Perris, Aerodyne, Kiss, L&B altimeters and Vigil.

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