People in the Sport

Dave Morris 

How long have you been skydiving Dave, how many jumps do you have and what sort of work do you do in the sport?
I started jumping in November 1977 at Eagle Sports, otherwise known as the Ashford Parachute Centre (which is strange because it was really close to Folkstone). I have 6,700 jumps, mostly Tandem and AFF which have been my main source of income since they were introduced into the UK. I have also managed to get a lot of solo display work over the past eight years with Virgin Airship & Balloon Company.

Sounds fun - tell me about the demos
All my displays revolve around accurate, fast swooping but my favourite must be when I play Action Man. My arch enemy, Dr X, has usually set the scene by teasing the kids and parents alike. He kidnaps the balloon crew and ties them to a generator, threatening to electrocute them. Just in the nick of time Action Man swoops in and breaks a dummy power line (silver ducting pipe which has been pre-cut and joined) which explodes with a very loud bang. Action Man saves the crew and captures Dr X much to the delight of the audience - and the sponsor!

You're known for being a tough AFF examiner, any comments?
I look at the candidate and imagine they will be leaving the course and teaching my sister. I rest my case.

What do you enjoy most about teaching AFF?
Watching students go 'lights-on' just after exit. Seeing their face when they have just gained control and still don't quite believe it yet. Looking back at the people I have trained and proudly enjoying what they are doing now.

Are most AFF students frightened?
Of course they are frightened, they're terrified! Every student who gets into the door of an aircraft goes through a tug of terror, 'I'm not going…I am…I'm not going…I am…'

How have you seen the sport change over the years?
When I stop to think how the sport has changed since I started I really feel old! Square parachutes were rare and weren't much better than rounds. Everything was ex-military, khaki or green and very basic. Next time you are at your DZ ask one of the senior instructors to show you a B4 container - you'll be amazed!

How would you like to see the sport grow?
I have always wanted skydiving to get Olympic recognition and enjoy regular slots on TV but I don't think we will be so lucky for some time. Freeflying and surfing have really helped the sport to grow. Sometimes I wonder who will come up with what next!

What's the most memorable jump you have done?
The largest-formation-at-the-time, 216-way in Bratislava where the formation punched a hole in a layer of cloud at 8,000ft. We could see the hole for a long time afterwards. One third of the formation experienced a strange, electrostatic charge that ran through grips and up arms, it was suggested we picked up the charge from the cloud. Fred Ryland thought he was having a heart attack and found himself wondering if the record would still count if he died whilst in the formation!

What do you enjoy about big formations and what's the largest you've been part of?
297 was the biggest. I enjoy it most when it is over. I'm not sure why I go on these adventures. It's the hardest work in the sport I have ever experienced and it doesn't happen unless we all whoop and holler along with a bunch of crazed Americans.

You're an organiser for Brit100, what appeals to you about the project?
In 1998 it was just building the 100-way, but now it's getting that amazing feeling again that we all experienced last year. What a team!

You're known for radical canopy handling and precision swoop landings, would you have any advice for wannabe turf surfers?
It's been said many times and many ways. People like myself have been swooping for 15 years plus, we usually have thousands of jumps and thousands of swoops. You don't get good by hurling yourself at it and hoping for the best. Take advice. Start slowly. Never attempt a fast landing if you are not 100%. Choose your canopy carefully because there are parachutes out there now which will give you all the speed you need without having to do anything more than a direct approach.

Would you have any advice on choosing the right canopy?
No. Ask the person on your DZ who knows you and you trust. Not Mr Flash (unless he or she have been flash for many, many years).

Do most people underestimate their canopy?
Yes.

Are there any classic mistakes people make?
Even the best get caught out trying to get back from a deep spot and end up too low to turn into wind. If that happens to you, then suffer the embarrassment of a downwind landing and I promise you will walk away. It's far better than impacting with the ground halfway round the turn.

You're a popular organiser at Empuriabrava and Vichy, what's the secret of your success?
Realising early mistakes and remembering that the people I am jumping with are there on holiday. It's never easy to axe someone who is not performing so doing that as diplomatically as possible makes a big difference.

Do you enjoy organising?
Oh yes! It's a paid holiday, if sometimes hard work.

Do you ever get bored with skydiving?
No.

How come, after so long in the sport?
Because it's the best thing there is. I have always loved aircraft, I like to be up in the air looking out over such varying and beautiful views and you get to be with some of the best people there are.

What is your greatest fear?
Crawling along a dark tunnel which is getting smaller, with no chance of turning back. Sump diving comes close to that I think.

What is your greatest asset?
My Harley Davidson - or maybe you mean the skydiving skills I have been able to accumulate.

What trait do you most deplore in yourself?
When my thoughts are elsewhere I can walk by my closest friend and not recognise them. Without meaning to I can seem very unapproachable.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
The inability to listen.

What do you do when not skydiving?
I like to create, I play the mandolin for example, but sometimes I am very happy just to slob out and watch movies.

What is your idea of bliss?
A hot bath after a cold day, sunshine and mountains, a long run of powder on a mono-ski or snowboard, a BJ in the morning… (don't print that!) (sorry Dave, you should never have said it! - Ed)

Who do you admire in the sport?
John & Sue Meacock, Dave & Angie Hickling, Ronnie O'Brien, Chris Harrison, Olav Zipser, The Flyboyz, Bruno Brokken, Willy Boeykens, Wendy Smith, Patrick Passe, Sebastian XL, Another Planet, the Aussie 16-way who beat their record (It'll Happen) - and you Lesley. 

How would you like to be remembered?
In yellow and smiling!

Dave Morris was talking to Lesley Gale

Email Dave on dave@daleside2.demon.co.uk 

Or visit his website: www.daleside2.demon.co.uk 

Back to Apr 99 Contents