Saturday, April 13, 2013

Lake Elsinore, Day 1

Carol Jones, organizer, registering participants
After a full day of travel from Bellingham to Lake Elsinore on Friday, Saturday morning was the beginning of the Masters Skills Camp in which so many skydivers from around the world had enrolled, including me. In the space of a few hours, I met skydivers from Peru, Scotland, the UK, as well as from all over the United States, all gathered here to set some records for formations made by Skydivers Over Sixty (SOS), of which I am a member. It has been many years since I attempted anything of this magnitude, but so far, after the first day, I can say I am happy I made the commitment to get here.
Harry (Scotland), Alton (Utah), me, Mark (Utah), Mike (California)
The fifty-some participants were separated into small groups for the first few jumps. I was fortunate to be teamed up with these guys: Harry is from Scotland, a flirt and a tease who had me blushing more than once; Alton, a retired oncologist who started jumping in his sixties; Mark from Utah who is hoping to be picked for the larger attempts; and Mike from Sacramento, of whom I know little except that I like him very much. We made two jumps together which were very good and helped me to get ready for the next stage of the skills camp.
Back: Hollis, Sandra, Louise; Front: me, Frankie, Dana
Then I made the next two skydives with these women who are all over sixty. Although we have three more women scheduled to attend, we were able to make two skydives where we set some international records: the most women over sixty in a completed formation, and the most women over sixty who made two separate formations in one skydive (called sequential relative work). Tomorrow we will make some more skydives together before attempting a nine-way with three other women who will arrive tomorrow. Monday is set aside just for us, attempts made by women skydivers.

I am sitting here in my room while my fellow skydivers are sharing a dinner hosted by the Drop Zone. I didn't want to stay up late, and I have to say I am exhausted after four exciting skydives, but also looking forward to tomorrow's adventures. I figured  could come back to the hotel room (which  I am sharing with Frankie) and get this blog post written and get some rest before doing the same thing again tomorrow. Tired and happy: that's me tonight.
:-)

23 comments:

  1. you're just amazing, you know that, right? :) happy, happy jumping again tomorrow!

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  2. smiles...get some rest...so cool that all of you ladies are over 60 as well...def the inspiration...smiles.

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  3. Enjoying vicariously all the thrills and excitement that you and your skydiving friends must be feeling!
    I'm so proud of the international records you all have set. I hope that when you return home, you will be overflowing with happiness. Stay safe , my friend; continue to enjoy the comradery, the diving, and every memory you are making. I look forward to your next post, 'cause you know that there is NO way I would ever be jumping out of a perfectly good airplane, and I giggle with delight to know that you absolutely love it!! Good on ya!!
    You go, girl.

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  4. You defy consenus expectations, is that cool or what?

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  5. Such a great adventure! You are such a great role model for life in retirement. You go girl!

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  6. I'll bet you are tired after all that. Good luck on tomorrow's activities.

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  7. You look like you are having a good time but then you most always enjoy yourself. Looking forward to the next report.

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  8. I am so very happy for you - and you look to be in your element. Which is wonderful. I hope the rest of the Masters' Skills Camp lives up to its early promise. And congratulations on your record setting.
    Thank you so much for your extremely kind and generous comment on my blog today. Since I find you completely inspirational can we start a mutual admiration society? And one of us is right and the other not. But thsnk you again.

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  9. Sounds like you've got an incredibly exciting weekend in store, how wonderful! Be safe, and HAVE FUN!!! :o)

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  10. Sounds like incredible fun to me. I anticipate seeing that "9 formation" you mentioned. I know that will be posted. Congratulations on the International Records you have set - now, that is way KOOL.

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  11. You continue to amaze and inspire me!

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  12. It sounds like you are having the sort of weekend you love so go on enjoy it, but please take care.

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  13. Safe jumping and soft landings! I am sure you will make the record books..tell your fellow divers I think they are awesome:)

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  14. You are having the time of your life. When i think of things like this I think of the many people who are totally incapable of doing what you're doing...including me. It puts you in a very special class. How many people get to set world records?

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  15. Glad you're having so much fun and accomplishing so many things.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!
    Bears Noting

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  16. Wow Djan. Congratulations on your record jumps. Looks like you are having a great time there and how interesting to meet so many new fellow jumpers.

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  17. Wow, that's so incredible. Blessings to all of you!

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  18. I'm so impressed! You are just wonderful. You and your co-divers make 60+ look better than ever.

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  19. Talk about a group of like-minded people!! What a lot of fun! So glad you took pics to share with us of the people you were diving with. :)

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  20. You are an amazing woman DJan – so much energy and enthusiasm for life! Enjoy!

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  21. From the look of your last few posts you have been taking lots of pretty spring photos. And now skydiving in formations. How exciting! I can't even imagine the difficulty. I can see why you needed your beauty rest.

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  22. DJan, it was a pleasure meeting you and sharing a couple of jumps. I hope to meet up with you again. There are a couple of DZ's in the Salt Lake City area. Come jump with Mark, Bill, and me if you are ever this way. Blue skies. Alton

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