Starting
Skysurfing
Skysurfing has hit the big time; every week an avid satellite TV
freak can check out some of the top skysurfin' dudes spinning, turning
and looping. Pick up a glossy magazine off the news-stands and you'll
probably see a story about someone doing a tandem, jumping off a skyscraper
or skysurfing.
For a sport that is only a little over seven years old,
skysurfing has really captivated the media. This given, it is surprising
that you can count the number of skysurfers in this country on both hands;
world-wide they wouldn't amount to much over a hundred jumpers.
Why is
it that a sport which seems so much fun and gets more coverage than all
the other aspects of skydiving added together, has so few participants?
Photo by Simon Ward |
Until lately it has been a discipline which was far from
'beginner friendly'.
Those mad enough to give it a go have previously had to go to great efforts
to get adequate information, training and equipment. However, times are
changing and for those who would like to get in the air with a board on
their feet, there has never been an easier time to give skysurfing a try.
This article is a basic introduction to this branch of our sport to help
those 'wannabe' skysurfers who don't know where to start.
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First things first, you need to have a D licence. As an embryonic surfer,
you have to be sure that you really want to hurl yourself out of an aeroplane
with a plank firmly attached to your feet. We emphasise 'firmly' because
a safe and well prepared skysurfer should not need to jettison their board.
Bodiless boards hurtling earthwards is not what the sport of skysurfing,
or indeed skydiving, needs. The cutting away of equipment in skydiving
is for emergency reasons only; skysurfing is no exception. Preparation
is the key word here, give this discipline the seriousness it deserves
and the rewards will be plentiful.
Fitness
A reasonably high degree of physical fitness will greatly help your
aerial surfing. The sport is highly energetic; being flung all over
the sky with a board strapped to your feet can really take it out
of your body. If in doubt perhaps get down to your local sports
centre, have a fitness assessment and get stuck in at the gym.
Basic Freestyle
Freestyle experience is essential. That doesn't necessarily
mean pointed toes, a pink jumpsuit and a plastic smile. Rather,
mastery of the basic freestyle moves such as stand-ups, front-loops
and back-loops starting from and returning to a standing up position.
Controlled 360 degree turns in a stand-up and very good control
in a back to earth configuration are a good starting point. The
ability to perform a few dummy pulls in a stand-up is cool - but
do not try deploying for real in this position for obvious reasons!
Get Help
A major tip here is too, before you even start your preparation,
track down an experienced board jumper at their centre and pick
their brains for information. It may eventually be the case that
pre-skysurfers have to have written permission from experienced
skysurfers who know what they are doing, have assisted the jumper
and assessed their freestyle abilities. This will certainly be the
case if reckless boarding starts to occur, the choice is yours.
Ask Your CCI
Okay so you've done the training jumps - what's next? It may seem obvious
but make sure your skydiving club is in agreement with your skysurfing
intentions. It is the CCI's prerogative to grant or refuse permission.
If they say "no" then you could try showing them your freestyle video
footage which will demonstrate that you have the ability and are taking
it seriously. If the answer is still negative there is little else you
can do but locate another, more hospitable centre. Don't hold personal
grudges; the sport is still relatively new and attitudes do change over
time.
Equipment
A cautionary note here, do not go out and buy yourself the latest Pro-level
carbon fibre composite board. In fact, don't buy yourself any equipment
unless you can help it. Some companies charge upwards of £300 for beginner
packages - pretty steep when you consider that many budding skysurfers
don't ever do more than one or two board jumps. Again find your friendly,
local skysurfer and see if you can beg, borrow, rent, or copy and make
your own beginner equipment.
Your first jumps will be done on a relatively small board, one that you
will not need again after 20-40 jumps, apart from elements like bindings
and cutaway systems. A first time board can be made for less than £100,
save your pennies for a bigger board which you'll hopefully stay with.
Space does not allow for specifics to be given regarding boards, jumpsuits,
gloves and other equipment so once again contact your new found skysurfing
buddies for extra information.
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The First Time!
Remember on your first jump with a board no-one will be there to
help you get stable, don't overestimate your abilities! This can
happen, especially with jumpers who have done a lot of flat flying
jumps and been around for a while. No amount of belly flying jumps
can prepare you for the roller coaster ride you will definitely
have on a board without the right training.
So you are in the plane ready to go
now! Go high, as high as possible, nothing less than 10,000ft, for
your early jumps. Exit first, with your videoflyer out rear float
(your DZ does not want to miss out on this visual opportunity do
they?). Make sure you are given at least 6-7 seconds before the
next group, even if it means you have a slightly short spot, remember
you will have a high canopy since you will pull at no less than
5,000ft. Once you have got yourself upright, do some dummy pulls,
then practice only very basic moves such as standing slow turns,
going onto your back and recovering - no helicopters or twisting
loops, these will come a lot later!
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Don't do your early jumps on any small, high performance canopies which
may be prone to off-heading openings. It is nearly impossible to kick
out line twists with a board attached to your feet. Think "safety" and
use your head.
So you are under canopy and you've had a stellar performance. Don't let
it go to your head just yet! Check the spot, point your canopy at the
DZ, sort out your cutaway system and disconnect your board recovery 'chute
if necessary - you will have one of these on all your early jumps. Bend
your toes upwards so they are the only things keeping the board attached
to you; this way it can be released effortlessly at 5-10 feet above the
ground. Until you have got a fair number of board jumps under your belt,
don't even think about trying to surf your board across the DZ! If you
do, at best you will crash n' burn and be the source of entertainment
for pub stories for a long time to come. At worst, well we don't even
want to think about it...
The Future
If you gave the discipline the respect it deserves and prepared well you
will have had an incredible time and will be keen to get back up in the
air again. But do yourself a favour, never lose sight of the fact that
skysurfing can be dangerous, even potentially fatal. So, keep a cool head
remembering that a safety conscious board jumper is the one who is able
to enjoy the sport to its limit.
After a reasonable number of skysurfing jumps there are many opportunities
which are open to budding board riders. These include the competition
scene such as the Nationals, FAI meets, the SSI PRO Tour. You could also
try skysurfing relative work, which is not easy but loads of fun, and
lots of other jumps possibly mixing boarders and other jumpers.
Photo by Simon Ward
On a final note, never forget that whilst you may think that flying around
with a board strapped to yourself is just the best, most radical way to
fly, don't let your new found pastime go to your head! Skysurfers only
represent a minority body of jumpers, we cannot afford to annoy our other
aerial companions. Be considerate, particularly in the plane when you
might need assistance in granting you extra space. Skysurfing needs prima
donnas about as much as external regulation! Have respect, have fun and
we look forward to seeing you around this country or in the warmer climate
of Florida.
Article by Chris Gauge
Go
to tribute to Chris Gauge
Go to tribute on the man who
invented skysurfing, Patrick de
Gayardon
Back
to Jun 97 Contents
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