Dive of the Month is a new column giving ideas for fun, challenging or original skydives. This first one submitted by George Pilkington:

Donut Race Dive
This is one of my all time favourites. Easy to remember, one dirt dive is enough and it usually happens at the emplaning point. Perfect for those last minute sunset loads. I find myself in freefall going like a mad thing, it is just manic; fast, fun and full of laughs. Lots of points is usually the score. Check it out and let me know what you think.

This dive is a continuum; best with six or eight skydivers, possibly ten. Here is the 8-way version which can be easily adapted.

Intermediates:
It's a good skydive for eye contact, references, visuals and working on synchronicity (not only that but trying to do it at the same time as everyone else). It's also great fun.

Cool 'n' Groovies:
If you want to 'turn and burn', treat it as a race. This can be a real fast dive; once through at normal speed, then go for it!

	Puzzle The first point is a free flown speed star:
	On the key, four (black) skydivers form a right hand donut in the centre whilst the other (white) four initiate a 360o turn:
	As soon as the donut is complete, the blacks drop the grips and turn back to a no contact star. The whites join the no contact star to make the original 8-way star again:       The slots now swap with the whites building the donut, the blacks turning. Repeat continuum until break off altitude.

Angles
No funky angle changes anywhere, just build the donut by turning 90o, build the star by turning back 90o. Leave perfect angles in the star for everyone else.

Keys
Assign someone in the first donut to key the initial break from the 8-way star and someone in the second donut to key the second star break. When the 4-way donut is built, there is no need for a nod or shake, just Drop 'Em 'n' Go! (sounds like a shampoo ad!)

Secret Stuff
Donut People
Your aim is to go equidistant to the other three donut people and meet in the middle. So go your distance, stop and let the others come to you. Turn 90o, stop, then take the grip. Think of taking your head forward on the turn to the donut (this will stop it backing up). Maintain the fall rate to help the guys on the outside. On the cosmic key, turn and reference off your clone, keeping at the correct distance for the star size. Keep the star tight.

Cool n' groovy option:
Your target is to be in a no contact star BEFORE the others have done their turn. Just go fast!

360o People
Take a microsecond to box out before starting your turn and concentrate on turning in place. Anticipate that the donut may slow down, so be aware of height as you turn.

Cool n' groovy option:
Your goal is to turn your 360o, as smooth and fast as possible, so that you have finished your turn and are waiting to pick up the grips, BEFORE they have finished the donut. (So as soon as they drop the 'nut grips, you can dock in the slot and go HA HA!). Do your first 360o turn at a casual speed, assess the situation and go ballistic down the bottom end of the dive when you have the fall rate difference cracked.

Article by George Pilkington
george@coolngroovy.com 

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