Come up short on a record quest then live with the disappointment for a year… The result is a bit of attitude.
That was the vibe when over one hundred jumpers gathered at Skydive Perris in April 2023 for a go at the record for the largest freefall formation by jumpers sixty and older. [SOS – Skydivers Over Sixty.] Most of the team had been there the year before with the same goal. Having come just shy of achieving a record on multiple attempts, there was a deep-seated desire to get it done.
Warm-up Jumps
The event would run for four days, but the team’s commitment to success led to the entire 40-way base being on-site a day early for prep jumps. The base team did three practice jumps and had three comfortable completions. A good sign. They were determined to give the balance of the team a solid base to build on.
Even more non-base jumpers were there in advance to do warm-up jumps. Fully eighty percent of the team arrived early. Commitment and attitude.
Day one
Day one of the full event was upbeat and cloudy. Zero jumps but some world-class dirt diving. Then waiting.
Day two
Day two started with low clouds. Argh. By mid-afternoon the skies cleared and the team headed for their five jump planes. After one fall rate calibration jump, the attempts began. The first attempt was short of the plan but promising.
Day three – Record!
Day three it got real. The “make it happen” attitude was pervasive. Two more promising attempts followed by … bang! A one-point record at 101! Goal achieved.
With a day and a half left there was more to be done. Next target: a sequential record. With daylight left, the first sequential attempt built well but was not there.
Last Day – Sequential Record
The final day, the “not-to-be-denied” attitude continued. Two more attempts then … bang! A two-point sequential record at ninety-five.
Leadership Team
The solid team and capable leadership had much to be proud of. International Skydiving Hall of Fame members Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld and Kate Cooper-Jensen had taken the lead with Larry Henderson, Scott Latinis and Patrick Passe rounding out the impressive leadership team. The cameraflyers were Hall of Fame inductee Gustavo Cabana along with Norman Kent and Craig O’Brien.
Summary
Solid talent blended with solid attitude led to the results all had sought. The frustration of the previous year melted away. Mission accomplished. Attitude rewarded.
Replay
Watch the videos of the record-breaking skydives, by Gustavo Cabana…
