Great Falls Balloon Festival Demo

Always be Marketing! Our master marketing machine Foggy was on hand with his top notch team of interns as ground crew for SNE at this years Great Falls Balloon Festival event.
Carp took care of the air portion. Lots of planning including days and days worth of pictures, diagrams with circles and arrows paid off for a successful full Cessna load of jumpers including world renown Jeff Nebelkopf and Tommy Larochelle flying the American flag in face of stiff upper winds.
Over 50,000 spectators packed the area leaving a generous 25 foot wide landing strip for the skydivers. The crowd could be heard under canopy screaming and cheering. A windy day hampered balloon launching efforts this year making SNE's skydiving show the main event for Friday night. It was evident the crowd was hungry for entertainment.
All of us signed autographs and took tons of pictures with local residents for over 20 minutes after landing. I was actually surprised many had never seen skydiving before. The kids went crazy and the adults were all smiles many coming to shake our hands with congratulations and thank yous. After all these years in skydiving, it's easy to forget the impact skydiving has on the general public. People LOVE skydiving.
I've been to many demos and it's always fun. From the pressure of jumping a new site with new obstacles to the tight landing areas and changing conditions, to the cheers and smiles of the crowds, a successful demo is just plain fun.
Skydive New England performs a half dozen skydiving demonstrations in and around New England within their short but BUSY season. By spreading awareness and education about this amazing sport in the community, more and more New Englanders are getting addicted to SKYDIVING every year! We look forward to skydiving with all the new friends we made at the Great Falls Balloon Festival.

HP

SNE RW & FreeFly Scrambles

This last weekend saw both an RW and a FreeFly scrambles by SNE Local Teams T-Minus:01 and Aeris.
Both teams planned a full day of jumping attracting almost 20 jumpers. Brian Touhey of T-Minus:01 and Local Club Jump IN! planned rounds for two way and then took the same people for rounds of three way. Team Aeris organized three rounds of four way with a team member as captain for each team and included video. Aeris also took the time to give a seminar on rigs and canopies to new jumpers. A full day of jumping for SNE fun jumpers.
The scrambles was custom tailored for the newer jumpers this year giving each the chance to test, hone and develop skills during a full day of jumping. Huge props to RYAN SEREWICZ for winning the scramble with the highest score!!! Next in line was Kari jackson and Nikolay Shustov.
Brian organized a big way speed star at the end of the day for thirteen newer RW jumpers that built to a ten-way proving SNE's newer jumpers are learning fast.
Below are some pictures from the weekend! Enjoy, more posted on the Skydive New England's Facebook.
We've got a great crop of jumpers coming up this season. Many have already show signs of leadership and willingness to work within a team environment. It is assumed a few of this years jumper harvest will go on to become well known skydivers.
If you are in the area, come on out to locals Wednesday sponsored by SNE and Club Jump IN! usually picking up later in the day jumpers start in smaller groups, coaching available and end of the day speed stars where everyone is welcome. BBQ that evening by SNE and Club Jump IN!
Thanks to our local teams Aeris and T-Minus:01 for all the hard organizing work that made an ordinary weekend something to remember.
If you want to see more pics and tag your self, check out the Skydive New England Fan Page.

AFF Instructor rating, finally, after all these years

Well, it finally happened. Got my AFF Instructor rating here at Skydive New England, the crew here just wouldn't have it any other way. I went kicking and screaming through the whole process and glad it is over. Best part is I now will be way more involved with the students from start to finish. Check out the Skydive New England Learning Center Fan Page for more info on our student and fun jumper progression and Jump IN! locals club.

Three of us took the course, Jill Herrington, Dave Lake and myself. Jill finished first, I just finished and Dave will be on the starting blocks soon.
The first week Theresa Nadean owner of Keystone Skydive Center out of Pennsylvania, helped all the way through the initial course. She has over 10 years as an evaluator. Mike Hawley, our course director and evaluator with decades in the sport as an instructor and evaluator hung in there for months trying to get us finished up. Weather became a serious factor for most of it, from winds to rain in the beginning really slowed things down. It got to the point that if Mike was coming out we slept in figuring the weather would crap out on us.

let me tell you. Finish the course & you want to go hot ASAP and do your eval jumps. A week goes by or worse two to three and when your evaluator shows back up you feel at square one again. Doing your training and evaluation jumps is some the most focus intensive jumps you will make for a while. Having a student do just about everything to hose you makes me wonder why anyone would ever want to do it. Once it was over I can say that everyone of my students chewed gum, left their shoes untied, never could figure out how to configure a chest strap, left their goggles on the mock up and somehow figure out how to mis-route just about everything. And no matter how well you got them to preform on the ground, they completely de-arched on exit, blew every count, flipped, rolled, back slid, spun on every jump, and never, I mean NEVER, pulled.

My final and passing jump put me on a 20 minute call for my first student all the to cheers, jeers and overall hazing by DZ staff. Lots a fun for sure. That's two cases of beer by the way, one for passing and one for first AFF jump. I must say I was nervous. What was this guy going to do to us? At least I was current. The jump went perfect, the guy was totally heads up all the way to the ride through. Completely spun my noggin though.

I must say, the course is very comprehensive and one is bound to learn a lot. I don't care how long you have been jumping as a coach, you will get a lot out of this course. And gone are the hard core days of showing up and risking it all. This course has changed a lot over the years. By the time you fill out your card and get some practice jumps in the course is now designed to help you along by actually training you to become an instructor. You will know long before your eval jumps whether or not you can do this. After the ground skills are assessed and tested, it's all about your flying and looking after your student.

I must say, everyone here at SNE has been very supportive. Instructors of any type here are the life blood of the skydiving business and everyone here wants to see you do well. I couldn't have asked for more. Mike Hawley thoroughly enjoys instructing, training and working with students. And beyond that, having your friends and coworkers from your home DZ rooting you on, being completely supportive and not giving you the chance to fail, is a real blessing.
Thanks to all for the support. Looking forward to having fun and learning in this new space of skydiving, AFF.
If you are even doing coach jumps now and hesitating on the AFF rating. Get over it. Get out there and do it. You will be glad you did.
HP

New Rip Cord TV Commercial

Got a lot to write about. Very busy here at SNE! Was thrown an ASAP by director and marketing genius Foggy with a job of getting video shots for a cable TV commercial for our snack shack, The Rip Cord. Did it all in one take, they used most of it. Shot in between tandem video loads and used every opportunity to check off the shot list I was given. Or, I should say the shot list I demanded. The shot list helped tremendously to acquire the footage needed in the shortest amount of time.
I even broke out a reflector for some portions of it. Shooting while working tandem videos meant that everything shot ended up being in the current tandem video for that jump. So, it had to be fun and spontaneous. I used random jumpers exiting before me and everyone was a good sport about it. This is such good practice, working on the fly with the looming tandem video 15 minute call countdown in the background of it all.
Skydiving in general is an ADD'ers paradise but for me SNE rules. There is always something to do, be a part of and a mission to complete. Below is the commercial as it airs on cable TV. Kinda cheesy, but sure to bring a smile to your face!
HP

Working at SNE

The Skydive New England website has been revamped and now boast many of my photos. I believe the entire front page slide show is all my work. If you've got a minute, check it out. I haven't shot like this in years and I can feel the photographer truly developing through me. Would love to hear some feedback.
Time is moving so fast here. There is so much to write about and never the chance to share. This is my best attempt to keep you all up to date.
Below is a scan of a card recently sent to SNE from a group of 30 that came out last year, spent two days in the rain and loved it. This year they came back and all jumped and camped over two days. This keeps happening over and over again. And this time I just had to share it.
We are in the middle and height of the season. Full swing. A tandem, student and fun jump machine. Using one otter our manifest girlz will pump out over 50 tandems on a weekday and over 100 any given Saturday or Sunday with a confident and loving smile on their faces. Along with that AFF and fun jumpers share and call the sky their own.
On any of these days you might not even know it is busy. The staff is happy, the machine runs smooth and everyone here is dedicated to sharing the passion of their lives, skydiving. Working here the biggest thrill is the thrill of our customers, the dazed, crazed and goggle lined faces filled with joy and exuberance.
I have not experienced this much fun in skydiving in many years. I am so stoked to be working and jumping here. For the first time in many years I am actually really enjoying and rediscovering this sport and my place in it.
Last weekend we honored and celebrated the life of Dave Hersey with a memorial Ash Dive. Pics attached. A full otter load took to the skies giving one of the prettiest and biggest ash releases I have seen in a very long time. Pics attached.
Last weekend our ALL star SNE jug band played for a packed house by the bonfire. All our musicians work here or are local jumpers. The vibe was great. It was the first time I used two off camera transmitter controlled flashes. A few sample pics attached.
The bands leader, Rock Star, Sean P Rogan, writes many of the skydiving based songs, which we all use on our tandem videos. After I was done shooting I sat and watched in awe how our people, the locals and the staff kept the house, tandem crowd and all who attended in full amazement. Even some of our manifest girlz took a turn at singing to the surprise of all blowing away the crowd with new found talent.
Last night we had a full community town hall meeting and I witnessed everyone come together to air out grievances, concerns and ideas in a way that just made us all stronger, happier and more effective. A community that is SNE, a culture that is true skydiving. Many in my recent past have told me this was impossible and to this day still live in that impossibility they have created. I was almost convinced.
This place, in short, never ceases to amaze me.
Is there another skydiving operation like this?? If so, I would truly be interested in finding it.
The attached scan and pictures are a reflection of SNE. This is who we are.
If you have not come to this DZ, I highly encourage you to check it out. Tiki Bar is fast approaching and is sure to be a sell out again this year.
This DZ is a 200 acre private air strip adult toy wonderland. The way skydiving used to be and the best kept secret in skydiving hands down.
Thanks for reading. I do hope you are enjoying your day as much as I am enjoying mine! Enjoy the pics, more to come.
HP

Jump IN! Skydive New England's Locals Club

Wow! Jump IN! Is really taking off this season. We have almost 50 jumpers on the list and more coming in.

Jump IN! is primarily structured for everyone who wants to participate. Most are on AFF, just getting off AFF, just now moving into A license territory and the jumper moving into the 100+ range. Jump IN! is dedicated to concentrating on why you got into skydiving in the first place, fun!

We have experienced jumpers on board ready to help out with questions, organizing, coaching, etc. Including Brian Touhey from RW Team T-Minus:01 and Adam from Freefly team Aeris. Kris Lafond is also on board and offers a great deal on Tunnel time and coaching every week! Check out the Northeast Air Crack Facebook Fan Page for more info. Way cool group.

Last week during a weather hold Jump IN! organized it's first event with a spotting class. About 10 people participated with some staff jumping in to help out. Dave Lake gave a great lecture on spotting, Jill Herrington helped with the math for wind drift and wing loading, our pilot, Solar, gave a aircraft safety briefing and a much needed perspective on jumping from the cockpit's point of view. And instructor Scott Jaszlics, our S&TA helped out with all levels. Everyone's involvement really made the event a great success. Participants ranged from 20+ to 100+ jumps.

Jumpers were built into groups of four and had to use current wind conditions to figure out their own agreed upon spot using the math they just learned, then they had to figure wing loading which they used to come up with an exit order. Once done, they got signed off by an instructor and we all headed to the airplane. We made it to about 6000 feet and made four passes where jumpers had to work in a group and give corrections to the pilot who purposely was off jump run by 30+ Degrees. Jumpers got the hands on experience of actually calling the spot and controlling the otter. It was a blast!

After exit it was accuracy time where staggered opening altitudes allowed each jumper clear skies to run their best pattern. The winner, James won a case of beer!

The whole experience was a lot of fun and everyone learned something they will use for the rest of their jumping career.

This Wednesday will kick off our first weekday local's rule event. After this week we should start seeing BBQ put on by Club Jump IN! and the Rip Cord for Wednesday evenings. This week whoever shows up, JUMPS. Organizing with coaches available. This will surely turn into a solid hump day of jumping for the true locals and die-hards alike who show up.

Today, Brian Touhey is organizing 10 Jump IN! members and putting them through the tests. Everyone's learning curve is being shot through the roof. Just a great day of jumping with friends in an environment were mistakes equal learning all the way to the last load. Video on every jump really showed the learning curve in action as the completions were bigger and bigger with the last load being one of the best. Brian really showed the spirit of jumping by putting the FUN, in Funnel!

If you were on these loads, had fun and want more of this, make sure you post here and to the SNE Fan Page.

Yes, as usual there will pics to tag on the Skydive New England Facebook Fan Page! Thanks everyone for a great day of jumping!

HP

July 4th Boogie SNE

July 4th boogie here at SNE was a BLAST. Beautiful weather gave way to solid back to back loads all the way through the weekend. From tandems to Fun jumpers to AFF everyone was jumping, all day long.

We had two people get their "A" licenses this weekend, Kevin and Jamie. We've got a lot of people coming off AFF and moving into the coaching realm and more "A" licenses are on the way. Definitely a fine summers crop of skydivers ready to ripen and blossom. On Friday Dale made his 100th jump with great video and as standard, ceremoniously pied and tossed into the swoop pond when we all finally caught up to him.

Saturday saw a full day of over 90 tandems and fun jumper loads with Dr. Pete and Lyle presse each group jumping throughout the day. Lyle brought hybrid sequential to the picture with team T-Minus:01 and Aeris working together for some cool 8-way sequential hybrid action. The inside video by Brian was awesome.

Saturday night went off at the Rip Cord. Local musician and marketing extraordinaire Foggy and Tony Tommachine ripped it up with his band to the serious explosions of a first class fireworks show by the legendary Carpenator. All to the light of one seriously big bonfire. Again, sorry for no pics, I was totally caught off guard. But simply enjoying it for a change was just fine by me.

On Sunday, Jeff Nebelkopf and Taya Weiss organized a Maine State Wingsuit record of five that built after a full day of currency jumps for the flock on Saturday. And Lyle and Dr Pete kept organizing load after load.

World famous swoopers Pia Mcfarland, Mike Shatlov and Tim Bernard showed up for hop n swoops that made for some great sunset pond action during the weekend. And Trunk from Hypoxic was on hand all weekend long with his round the country RV with Erin in tow showing off all of his wares and beatn' up his jumpsuit swooping the pond. Hypoxic sponsored a Video Fest on Sunday night showing off some of the weekends videos and set the stage for Jim's 100th pie ceremony where more then one person was covered before it was all said and done. On Monday night Trunk sponsored a lobster and clam feast giving an incredible end to a great boogie for those in attendance.

Monday is still going strong. Brian from Team T-Minus:01 is organizing a 10 way right now making the youngn's jump through hoops and pushing everyone's skill level all under the Club Jump IN! banner. Club Jump IN! Is getting stronger. We have almost 50 local jumpers on the list and its still growing.

Check out pictures that are posting regularly at the Skydive New England Fan Page!

Thanks for checking this out. A LOT more to come so stay tuned from the North East's funnest DZ!
HP