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Cloud cover for most of the day. Flew to height to try our luck as their were gaping holes in the sky. Did a go around and came back down. No jumps.

The reason for not jumping is of course safety. It is very important not to fly a large formation around clouds and have tracking groups tracking through them due to the danger of collisions. Choosing an alternative jump location clear of clouds is frought with danger as well due to the number of lesser experienced people on the load and unfamiliar landing areas. As frustrating as it is, it is a good decision by the P3 team. Safety is number one.

10th June 2010 - 100 Way Camp Day 1

We woke up this morning to cloud cover. This gave the team the opportunity to spend quite some time dirt diving the formation and practicing every aspect of it. Exit (present & identify) - exit frames - approach (sheepdogging) - quadrants - radials (intercept) - stadiums - flying in slot - taking grips - flying as a part of the formation - break off - tracking groups - deployments - canopy flight - landing.

In the early afternoon, we finally got the call for our first jump, and what a jump it was. 110 people and camera crew were involved. Our brief was to build a base and for all the whacker people to fly staidums and slots without taking grips. The purpose of this was to give people a visual of the formation, learn to fly their slots smoothly and cleanly, and teach patience. The second jump was even better.

We went up for a third jump later in the afternoon but the clouds came back to annoy us again. We had to abort this last effort.

9th June 2010 - Rest Day

This afternoon the P3 team posted slot positions and dive plans for the first Australian Formation Skydiving Record attempts. It is going to be a 110 way. Most participants have earned slots which is testament to the skills and hard work of the participants and the coaching provided by the organisers. There are many relieved and excited people at Perris today.

The pressure is now really on. We are no longer big way camping. We are going for a record. This means we have to do our jobs. Otherwise the axe may fall. Most of us should be able to handle it as we know what we have to do.

Being a rest day, participants indulged in a variety of activities including: visiting fun parks, nothing, swimming, doing tracking dives, visits to Apex BASE, or unofficially smashing the Australian 4 way FS record. After removing a dinosaur sized lizard from her jump suit, Deb Hobbs slotted into Team Perris Fury and completed 29 points in time - and around 48 points for the jump.

8th June 2010 - Camp 2 Day 3

7th June 2010 - Camp 2 Day 2

6th June 2010 - Camp 2 Day 1

5th June 2010 - Rest Day

4th June 2010 - Camp 1 Day 3

3rd June 2010 - Camp 1 Day 2

2nd June 2010 - Camp 1 Day 1

1st June 2010 - Registration Day

Today was registration and introduction day at Perris for the Australian 100 Way record attempt. Chief organiser extraordinaire Greg Jack discussed details about the organisation of the event and thanked his fellow contributors for their assistance. He also highlighted that it was the commitment of each and every participant and all supporters that would make this event a success. Everyone was impressed with how many Aussies have turned up to Perris, CA, USA, to get this record.

Dan BC welcomed everyone to Perris dropzone, talked about the structure of the event, and highlighted safety procedures. Following this, everyone introduced themselves and talked about their past experience, and goals for the future. Kate CJ highlighted the need to publically share your goals to help make you more accountable for what you want to achieve. We are all unified in that we want to improve our skydiving, to be safe, and to get the record.

We have people with less than 200 jumps all the way up to many thousands of jumps. Ages vary from early twenties to very old. Experience varies from months to over 40 years. All mainland states and territories are represented. We also have a number of fully adopted and honorary Aussies here with is.

Later in the evening, Mark Brown gave a detailed briefing about big way jumping. The stuff that needs to be done and that is not often talked about. See this information at http://40ishways.com/BWBasics.html All the other details will be hammered into us over the coming two weeks.

Our participants have been spending lots of time in the Tunnel getting great coaching from Perris Fury and Christy Fricken amongst others. Stretch has been attempted to monopolise any free slots! We have also been doing formation jumps with Dan BC and Mark Brown in the leadup to the official record camp jumps. Other activities include the obligatory Walmart shopping sprees, attractions, and activities around LA.

Well, everyone's registered, the fun starts tomorrow. Here's today's Skysurfer of the day:

Today was bump-in day. Three activities - waiver, gear check, and finances. I don't think anyone had any trouble.

Received a nice show bag; couple of shirts, discount vouchers and a guide to the event. More on that as we progress.

A group meeting was held in the Bombshelter bar - every participant, starting with the load organisers, was asked to talk a little about themselves and their goals. It took a couple of hours, but well worth it. Also worth noting that they allegedly considered closing the bar for the duration. Australians appear to have a reputation, and they haven't had a hundred of them here at once before. They did run out of three types of beer this evening.

My take on the crew attending? There's a mixture of people and skill levels, from about 200 jumps up to the thousands. A lot of Load Organisers and CIs here. Picton has an outstanding representation. I think everyone here has a chance of being on the last jump.

Three themes pervaded the goals for the camp. Safety was the winner; Success second; and Sharing #3. Everyone wants to take new skills home.

There's about 80 people here for the first camp; we're doing three days before the first rest day working on technique. We're expected to fail, and fail often; finding our limitations is the key for the first stage. For example, if you are a lightweight by appearance, you're likely to earn a base slot and some lead. People with a heavy set appearance are likely to be asked to dive.

I've informed them I've done nothing but the super floater slot and demanded a challenge

There was an invitation to attend a big-way basics seminar in the evening. Mark, the presenter, duly printed up fifteen handouts. Nearly sixty people attended. I think we're serious.

Probably four or five jumps a day for the next few days. 8AM with jumpsuits. About 30 degrees, peaking at 38 on Saturday (first rest day).

Two of my favorite jumpers: LeaCake and Shazza

More tomorrow.

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