Skysurfing an Introduction
Lamorna Harpin introduces you to skysurfing: Skysurfing is more popular in Europe than in the US. Learning is a challenge, but the reward is a dynamic , visually stimulating roller coster ride usually between the " board flyer " and their cameraman. Skysurfing is also one of the disciplines in our sport responsible for bringing skydiving into the public eye, remember the Pepsi Ads ?
Playing in all dimensions
One skysurfer commented to me that it was the diversity of skysurfing that first attracted him to the sport. Its definatley not a case of falling straight down. Depending on how the ´edges´ of the board are presented to the wind you can vary your speed and ´track´ across the sky dramatically in a short space of time. This makes filming sky surfing a camera persons greatest challenge. The changes in direction and speed of the suffer alter dramatically very quickly and a well tuned cameraman will know ´whats coming next ´ once he gets to know his ´subject´. The skysurfer on the right is moving forwards quite fast as his front edge is low. If he sits back now , he will start to move backwards. The faster and more he leans back the more dramatic the change will be ( imagine what happens during a cart wheel. )
Opening the parachute with a board strapped on.
Firstly the board can be detached by means of a release cable. The surfer ´cuts away ´ the board by pulling a release cable. In the event of the boarder not being fully in control , (s)he would jettison the board before deployment. Under normal circumstances the boarder deploys their parachute while standing up straight on the board. This is to minimise the risk of the deploying parachute catching on the board ( nasty ) .
The board is jettisoned a few feet from the ground during landing , as this allows the skydiver to run out their landing if they have forward speed.
Learning to skysurf - Speak to somebody experienced.
Under the BPA system , you must have the FAI C Certificate , 200 jumps and at least one further Grade 1 before you can get your SS1 (Skysurfing certificate). You must also be in good physical condition as the Working on these skills will make it easier for you once you are on a board. You should be a competent freefly or freestyle jumper before putting a board on. Your best bet is to ask your drop zones chief instructor to put you in touch with an experienced boarder and/or coach.
Slowly increasing size of boards
The beginners boards are about 32 inches long and your feet are facing across the board (similar to a snowboard). As a skydiver, you will only be used to deploying your canopy in a belly to earth position. The first few jumps will be (similar to AFF) focused on safety and body position, particularly for deployment. To ensure you have plenty of time once under canopy to sort out the board for landing, a student skysurfer will deploy at about 6000ft. With more progression, the student starts jumping slightly bigger boards, and after practicing stand up deployment will change the feet position so that they are facing the same way as the board (like skateboarding).
National and International Competition
There are a number of jumps where the team ( skysurfer and cameraman) have to perform both predetermined and free rounds. The judging of these cometitions is subjective as the panel of judges score the pair in terms of style , control, technical delivery of the manouevres and interaction.
Interesting Links:
Skysurfer.com
This site has nice pictures and videos and skysurfers in action.
Skydive The Mag Article
" So you want to be a sky surfer " . David Fish, a UK skydiver talks about his experience learning to sky surf. Interesting article which was published in the UK´s National Mag.