Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Holder of a new world record

Before our first jump yesterday
There we are, all nine of us WSOS (Women Skydivers Over Sixty), getting ready for our first jump of the day yesterday. Our coach, Jeff Jones, concentrated on getting us relaxed and gave us a skydive that was well within our abilities. In the back row is, left to right, me, Ronda from Michigan, Hollis (I'm not sure where she's from), Louise from Arizona, Chris (a local), and Alicia from Long Beach. In the front row, kneeling, are Monique (Canada), Sandra (another local), and Caroline from the UK.

To make a record, everyone must be in the pre-designated formation in her own slot, with the proper grip, and we must declare ahead of time whether it will be a one- or two-point skydive. We decided to go with the easier of the two, since we had not jumped together before, and we made the single point with time to spare. It was a wonderful feeling to be under canopy, realizing that we had just set a record. When we returned to the ground, all the husbands and other interested men were there to congratulate us, and we then watched the video and debriefed the skydive. We were so high from the experience that I cannot tell you how happy I felt.

Then we decided to go up and do the same thing again, but add a second point, which means that at least half of the people on the skydive must let go and re-grip again, in a different formation. Well, we had to try twice to get that accomplished,  but we did, and now I am the holder of several different world, country, and state records for Women Skydivers Over Sixty! I snagged a picture off Terry's Facebook page (our vidographer), which is why you see the little marks, but I paid him for some good resolution pictures, which of course I will frame and keep forever.
WSOS World Record 7 April 2014 (by Terry Weatherford)
That's me in the 3:00 position, in purple. My heart is full today, as we all said our goodbyes after a wonderful Skills Camp and Women's Record Day. I will not be returning to Skydive Elsinore, and we all got a bit emotional, but I am so incredibly happy that I decided to come here and make a wonderful beginning to my last season as an active skydiver.
Canopies landing at sunset
I took this picture from the packing area as the sun went down at Skydive Elsinore yesterday. It was a wonderful time, I'm plenty tired and sore, but I couldn't have asked for a better last day at this wonderful Drop Zone, with my friends, new and old.
:-)

32 comments:

  1. Dear DJan, I always read your "Eye" blog first and then this one so I've come here right after leaving you a comment on the Eye blog. Now I've learned that you the holder of another record. So many records. It's just fantastic. I'm so happy for you. And I so admire your perseverance and your upbeat attitude toward life and your positive approach to everything you do. You are truly an inspiration to us all. Peace.

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  2. I am beyond thrilled for you! Happy tears for your incredible accomplishment. What a life you are leading while showing what is truly possible. Thank you for being you - Amazing!

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  3. I can see the newspaper headline now: "DJan takes dive, wins record." Or something like that. Congratulations on having a fun time and setting a world record! What a wonderful event for your last year of jumping out of airplanes. I'm excited for you!

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  4. This is a big accomplishment for you all!
    Congratulations. Awesome pictures!

    I admire your active lifestyle.

    Thank you, for sharing.

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  5. wow. that is absolutely awesome...and slightly terrifying...hahaha...especially the letting go and re attaching...so cool...and def very happy that it has been such a cool trip.

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  6. that truly rocks! congratulations to all of you - but especially to you, djan. :D

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  7. This post brought tears to my eyes, DJan. What a wonderful and meaningful trip this has been. I am sure you will remember it forever. Congratulations for holding all of those records.

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  8. What a terrific thing to accomplish! I'm so proud of you all for going back and doing it the hard way as well. Definitely a photo worth framing.

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  9. Wow!! I am so happy for you! What a way to start your season...I won't say last season...yet.
    So glad it all went well and without injury!

    Yesterday at carving a grandson of one of the carvers was visiting from Mukilteo Wa which is not far from where you usually skydive. Good to hear a eleven years old opinion of the North West..he can see ships in the sound from his home.

    Have a safe trip back home:)

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  10. Happy soggy eyes for you here this morning. And if I am misty, how much more so you must be.
    Congratulations - and a classic 'going out on a high note'.

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  11. Wow! Just great!

    I found you place on Vagabond and I am glad I did.

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  12. Congratulations, DJan! What a way to end a fabulous time.

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  13. Well, congratulations. For us who don't sky dive, we do not understand what a challenge this was for you.

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  14. Congratulations DJan. I always knew you were awesome but now you are a record holder too.

    Have a safe trip home.

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  15. Absolutely amazing. Congratulations DJan! I've probably said this before, but I want to be like you when I grow up. You're an inspiration in so many ways. Enjoy basking in the glow of your accomplishment.

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  16. You are amazing. Really, I know no one like you. You just keep doing all kinds of things that make me happy to just know you. You are my hero.

    I just read that my daughter wants to be you when she grow up. I would second that. I can think of no better role model I would like her to have.

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  17. Congratulations! I think you are the only world record holder that I know. Thanks for shining the light down the path for us as we age. You are a trail blazer that I am proud to know and follow.

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  18. I saw the photo on Facebook and cheered for you! How wonderful for you!

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  19. Many, many congratulations. What an achievement and what happy memories you take with you .

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  20. If you are hanging up your "chute" on the way to retirement from the skies, well then DJan you have made a permanent mark in history, a dive that won a world record. Congratulations to you and the other members of your team. Each and every one of you together, some with whom you had never known accomplished this feat. Be proud Girlie - the sky Gods are happy for you.

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  21. Good for you! Congratulations! How to age! Bask in the glow of doing what you love!

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  22. So happy for you, DJan! What a wonderful accomplishment... and what fun! I copied your *formation* picture so I could show it to my grand daughter (hope that's alright?) I've always loved the saying "Beyond the gloom of this world lies joy... take joy!"... and I think you have!

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  23. My heart filled up & ran over a little for you as I read this, DJan. (I think my eyes, may have, too.)
    Congrats!!! SO HAPPY FOR YOU!

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  24. Don't know how I missed this. Congrats big time---wow. You must be so proud and to have a picture of the feat is super.
    Amazed at how far some of the divers had to travel.
    Be proud, we are.

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  25. DJan I am so very happy for you – what a stunning achievement! This is a memory you will keep with joy for the rest of your life, and so should you – it is a fantastic accomplishment. I would have loved to watch your formation- looking up to the sky and see all these great ladies in the sky – wow! You and your team can be rightly proud of this exploit.

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  26. Wow, wow, wow. That is so amazing. I'm glad you were able to accomplish such a fete. Have no idea why you are discontinuing this great pursuit of yours, as you are amazingly good at it. I'm guessing you have another hobby up your parachute.

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  27. Excellent, DJan! I'm so thrilled for you. What a great accomplishment. Your joy is palpable. Congrats! :)

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  28. OMG! OMG! You did it!!!! Congratulations to all of you!! Talk about going out in a blaze of glory in your final year of skydiving!! Whoohoo!!! :)

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  29. DJan! This is truly incredible. I haven't been able to visit people yet, but I couldn't resist seeing what you were up to. Congratulations! This is just awesome! I feel so proud for you. You are truly my role model, my inspiration.

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  30. Wow - so incredibly cool! Big congrats to your and your team. Visiting from Amanda's blog... :)

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