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    BigGERWay Skills Camp 2022

    The next step. It's time to go bigGER.

  • BigGERWay Skills Camp 2022

    The best entertainment and education per skydive.

    🪂 THE BASICS

    • Weds 27 - Sat 30 Jul 2022
    • Skydive Pink, Klatovy, Czech Republic
    • Four days of jumping. (Tues 26 is arrival and warm up day and is strongly recommended. Sun 31 is boogie fun jump day).
    • 20 jumps.
    • Fun, smiles and socially distanced cheesy high fives.
    • Please be ready for 8am Wed 27 July. 
    • Release time (no later than) 4pm Sat 30 Jul (normally there are flights to the UK, or wherever, leaving Prague after 8pm)

    🪂 WHO SHOULD BE DOING THIS CAMP

    • Skydivers who had a positive feedback from the BigWay Skills Camp 20ways
    • Skydivers who want want to take the next step up in size to 40ways
    • Skydivers that want to learn bigway in a low stress environment
    • Skydivers who haven't done multi-plane before
    • Skydivers that want to learn bigway properly
    • Skydivers who want to have a fun trip. Obvs.
    • Skydivers that have a recent reference for 40ways
    • Skydivers that want a reference for other events

    🪂 WHO SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS CAMP

    Skydivers who want sequential skydives, outfacing slots and crazy block moves.
     
    This camp is NOT about sequentials. It's about being safe. It's about completions. It's about proving you have the skills required in a low stress atmosphere. There will be an expectation of completions on some jumps and this will inevitably lead to an increase in stress, rushed decisions and mistakes will become more prevalent. This is where your training comes into play.
     
    Use your experience as stepping stones. See the options, choose the right one. Put faith in your knowledge, skills and experience.

    🪂 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

    At the start of the event you must have:


    1. JUMPS (200 & 40)
    a) At least 200 jumps OR an excellent recent reference.
    b) At least 40 jumps in 6 months preceding this event, ie between end Jan - end July

    2. TUNNEL HOURS (3 & 1)
    a) At least 3hrs tunnel total

    b) At least 1hr in the 3 months preceding the camp, ie between end April - end July.

     

    3. REFERENCE

    A reference, dated after Jan 2020, recommending that you step up to 40ways


    Exceptions: The 200 jumps is mainly a requirement so that we can do O2 jumps as a group. If you have less than 200 jumps total AND you have excellent references you should definitely speak to us about applying. But easier if you have 200 jumps.
     

    Minimum requirements are there to make sure you learn the most from this event (oh, and 'safety'). More is better.

     


    Practice Jump requirements:

    Please practice your tracking. Get used to tracking next to someone for a few seconds before fanning out and separating.

    Suggest you try this on at least two jumps ahead of the camp.

     

    Plan and jump a normal FS jump, 2 or 3 way. At 7k, turn and fly as a tracking team. Fan out at 5k, and deploy at 4. These altitudes are just a suggestion, feel free to modify them to make them more appropriate for your jump.

     

    NOTE: C licence (200 jumps total) required to jump from high altitude with O2 and to jump the balloons. If you're close, make it happen.

     

    There will be O2 jumps.

     

    If you don't have a C licence, or a logbook showing 200 jumps, then you will leave the plane at normal altitude and we'll close the door after you. Sorry.

    🪂 HOW TO RESERVE YOUR SLOT

    1) Read this website.

    2) Pay the reg fee. Details in the reg form or available by email.

    3) Fill in the reg form.

     

    (scroll down this website to see the list of confirmed attendees - once registration is open, obviously)

    🪂 THE PLAN

    You need to be aware that you will do some jumps in your most comfortable slot. And then you will be rotated into a slot that is slightly outside your comfort zone. But we won't be putting 50kg people in the base. We won't be putting 100kg people on the outside. That's what the BigWay Skills Camp is for. And at the BigGER way Skills Camp we want some completions. But don't worry, you won't get pigeon holed, you will try a variety of exit positions and be stretched outside your comfort zone. Expect it. Embrace it. Own it.

    The plan is that everyone will come away more confident about performing under pressure in a traditional bigway environment AND you will learn smiling. Probably. You might be a right grump, I can't be responsible for that, sorry.

    This is how you learn bigway properly.

     

    Day 1 we'll plan to do some 20ways.

    To get the best results we need to build a strong foundation. A few of you might think progress is too slow on day one but the benefits will show later in the camp. Perhaps one O2 jump.

     

    Days 2-4. 40ways. Perhaps 2x O2 jumps from increased altitude on Day 4.

     

    Nominally 5 jumps per day but we'll flex if weather requires it. Option of a 'special' 6th jump on one evening. See below.

    🪂 REGISTRATION FEE

    Same as BigWay Skills Camp. Sliding Scale. The bigway FS scene is ageing. To encourage younger skydivers to join we're using a sliding scale.

    • Registration fee = £160 (equivalent to £40 per day for LO and camera on five jumps - a massive bargain. Equivalent to less than 4 mins in the tunnel)
    • Under 30? Discounted reg fee = £xx
    • In full time education? Discounted reg fee = £xx (equivalent to only £xx per day, or less than 2 mins in the tunnel)

    Credit card options exist in the registration form. Bank transfer saves 1.4% card handling fee. Euro bank account details exist too.

     

    The reg fee covers your LO and cameraflyer costs for 5 jumps per day for 4 days.

     

    PS The sliding scale seems to work so happy to keep it for a fourth year. Would love to hear your feedback.

     

    PPS The credit card company takes 20p and 1.4% from every card transaction. After feedback from participants on previous events, I have included a voluntary option to cover the 1.4%. This is totally optional and not expected at all.

     

    PPPS if a simple thing like money is the only thing stopping you from registering... speak to me. We might be able to find a flexible solution. I just want people to jump.

    🪂 SAFETY

    We all want to come home in one piece...

    • No turns greater than 90deg under 1500 feet. 
    • There shouldn't really be any turns greater than 90deg over 1500 feet either.
    • Land in the same direction, as indicated. OR land well away from everyone else. So far away we can't film you.
    • If your downwind leg is on one side of the landing area, then you should NOT travel the whole width of the landing area on your cross wind leg as you'll be cutting everyone else up.
    • If multi plane, suggest you carry a phone with you. I've landed off on more multi plane jumps than wingsuit jumps. No one wants it to happen. But...
    • Make sure you have the number of the DZ stored in your phone.  
     
    You will need to prove yourself safe in freefall and especially under canopy at all times, especially on the 40ways. We'll be watching and assessing you from the moment you arrive at the dirt dive (don't be late) until you're back in the packing tent. Be safe. Be polite in your words AND your actions. Look out for each other. We want you to jump multi-plane. BUT more importantly we have to make sure that the other 39 jumpers in the group plus your friendly cameraflyer are not put at unnecessary risk.

    By coming on this trip you are confirming that with appropriate training and encouragement you will be able to safely fly 40ways. We will do our very best to help you. However, if you're unable to fly in 40ways safely; your approach is uncontrolled, your tracking is inefficient or your canopy control is reckless, or maybe you're just having a bad day, at some point you will be asked to stand down from the group.

    🪂 EDUCATION

    You should have at least 200 jumps, or excellent references, to be considering this event.
     
    You should have at least 3hrs of tunnel flying experience and at least 1hr of tunnel flying in the 3 months prior to the camp. Tunnel time can be as cheap as £140 for an hours group flying. (www.dynamic6.uk is my group social tunnel flying mailing list)
     
    If you have >200 jumps then you'll be able to take part in the O2 jump(s) from >15k. This is planned for days 1&4. At least one jump. No more than three. Unless everyone has >200 jumps and wants to get high.
     
    You should try some 'tracking team' jumps before you arrive. At least 2 jumps. Try and fly close to each other, start slow and get faster. The aim is maximum horizontal distance travelled.

    Tracking teams are great. But we only seem to use them on the big jumps. This means when you're on the biggest skydive of your life, and your audible beeps 6k, suddenly you're doing something you've never done before. Unnecessary stress. But with practice? You'll nail it.
     
    You should be aware of and understand the following bigway terms:
    • Quadrants
    • Radials
    • Stadium Approach
    • Red Zone
    • Tracking teams

    You should have some experience of doing these on 20ways and be ready to display these skills on 40ways.

    🪂 THE SKY(VAN) IS THE LIMIT

    The DZ have confirmed that there will be two skyvans on the DZ.

     

    Jump tickets at Klatovy are EUR36 each. (price correct as of Nov 2020)

     

    The planes are equipped with O2 and can go to FL20. Single plane 02 jumps are marginally more likely than multi-plane 02 jumps.

     

    The costs are:

    4200m / 13,800 ft AGL is EUR 39.50 (No O2 required)

    4800m / 15,750 ft AGL is EUR 45
    5200m / 17,100 ft AGL is EUR 56

    6000m / FL20 / 19,700 ft AGL is EUR 64

     

    Klatovy is about 1k ASL so we'd get 1k less than stated numbers. ie if we're going to do it, we're going all in. To the top. Well, at least once anyway.

    🪂 THE BALLOON IS THE LIMIT

    The DZ owns two hot air balloons. Two! All jumpable. Approx EUR 106 per jump. They fly every morning and evening if the conditions allow. It's recommended and we'll flex where we can to allow you to jump these.

     

    And no, I've never heard of a multi-balloon jump either.

     

    C licence is required, or a logbook showing 200 jumps.

    🪂 INNHOPP

    • Innhopps are AMAZING. 
    • We'd jump one evening and land out. Somewhere. Somewhere scenic. Somewhere.
    • Because you haven't seen the landing area, except in a rudimentary drawing, your senses are heightened making it an amazing experience. 
    • Transport back to the DZ would be included. 2018 there was free beer on the landing area, fire dancers, a cowboy on his horse and a live band. I shit you not. 2019 we landed at a fucking castle and there was free beer on the landing area, dinner and tours of the castle. 2020... someone landed at the far end of the field, slung their canopy over their shoulder, climbed on the back of a local's motorbike and got a ride to where the beer was waiting.
    • All the boring stuff is included like ground crew, transport for ground crew, smokes for landing direction, boat crew if near water, extra fuel for the plane, transport home for everyone etc etc, blah blah blah. 
    • We've no idea on costs but last year, if I remember correctly, it was 1 jump ticket plus EUR30.
    • Just bring money for extra beers and food.
    • Optional. Also an option to ride the bus there to join us.
    • No need to decide now. Decide at the event.
    • This is not guaranteed to happen. However, we will endeavour to make this happen. It's the icing on the cake.  

      TBC

    🪂 TRAVEL TO CZECHIA & ACCOM

    • Please be on the DZ for 8am on Day1. DZ registration can be a little slow. We'd like to be on a call for 9am. 
    • You'll be released no later than 1600 on Day4 in order to make the late flights home to the UK, or wherever.
    • I'm working on a hotel package so we can all stay in the same place. Don't feel you have to if you've got a bigger budget. Costs are pretty reasonable. Standard hotel price is about 25-30 euro per night inc breakfast. Expect breakfast to be typically Czech. Expect twin beds to be separate mattresses but one double bed frame. I don't know why, it's just what they do there. 
    • It is likely accommodation will be tricky and single rooms at a premium. :-(
    • If you know you want a single room you will probably have to sort your own accommodation.
    • Nearest airports are Prague and the ones in southern Germany. Assume Prague will be most popular but suggest you do your own checks. 

    🪂 FUN

    I'll be LO for some chilled warm up jumps the day before. My current plan is to fly out on 22nd ahead of the BigWay Skills Camp that is now running directly before this BigGER Way Skills camp.

     

    After the event I'll be unwinding with some fun boogie jumps on the Monday. Wingsuit rodeos, freefly, big big star formations, 9way tubes. Anything goes. Join me?

    🪂 TSHIRTS

    Event tshirts are notoriously hard to get right. I don't do them. I am happy to assist and guide someone else sorting them though.

     

    2018 - event tshirts for the BigWay Skills Camp were crowd sourced. John Horne was 'the man'. He designed them and found a manufacturer.

     

    2019 - The legends of Sun Path Products subsidised the event tshirts - it was a one off. Shirts supplied by Manufactory. Approx USD 70 per shirt. Wow. Amazing. Jemma Westing was the designer to rule all designers.

     

    2020 - hahahaha.

     

    2022 - If you want to make it happen, please be my guest. I'm happy to help. Thank you.

     

  • 🪂 Small Print

    E&OE. Registration fee is your deposit and secures your place. Non-refundable but can be swapped if you find someone to take your place - I will help as best I can. By coming on this trip you are confirming that with appropriate training and encouragement you will be able to safely fly 40ways. We will do our very best to help you. However, if you're unable to fly in 40ways safely; your approach is uncontrolled, your tracking is inefficient or your canopy control is reckless, or maybe you're just having a bad day, at some point you will be asked to stand down from the group.

     

    - Places are limited. We need at least 40 to go ahead.

    - If your Govt, or the Czech Govt forbids you from travelling there would be a 100% refund.

    - If the Czech Govt requires a period of quarantine on entry, then there would be a 100% refund.

    - If your Govt allows you to travel but recommends against it for all but 'essential reasons' there would be a 100% refund.

    - If your Govt allows you to travel without an essential reason (eg holidays) but imposes restrictions, eg a period of quarantine, then this would be your responsibility.

    - Deposits are non-refundable (with the above exceptions) but is transferable. I'd do everything I can to help you find a replacement.

    - If the May event is cancelled this event will become a 20way event instead.

     

    In 2020, some Czech events weren't able to be held but the planes were able to fly to Cottbus in Southern Germany. I'm told their landing area is even larger. I hope we don't have to consider this but we might have to. It's not that far of a drive from Klatovy, a couple of hours so flights wouldn't need changing.

     

    Everything here is reported as I've been told. Be aware though that planes can break. Fuel prices can go up. Weather can be shite. Balloons can be taken out by a bird with a sharp beak. DZOs can offer to pay for a 3rd plane to carry one skydiver to altitude solely to get outside video or they can change their minds. Volcanoes, earthquakes, locust swarms, meteor strikes, black holes, zombie hordes and virus pandemics all happen. Brian is not responsible. Blah blah blah. :-)

     

     

  • How do I get a place?

    Did I mention this was first come first served?

    STEP ONE

    Read this website. Be happy with the contents. It has all the information you need. (If it doesn't, email me and I'll make sure it gets listed).

    STEP TWO

    Pay the reg fee. It's on a sliding scale in an effort to encourage younger skydivers into the Bigway FS scene.

    • Registration fee = £160 (equivalent to £40 per day for LO and camera on five jumps - a massive bargain. Equivalent to less than 4 mins of tunnel per day)
    • Under 30? Discounted reg fee = £115
    • In full time education? Reg fee = £95 (equivalent to only £18.75 per day, or less than 2mins of tunnel per day)

    The payment details are in the Registration form or are available by email. I'm not sure how sensible it is to post bank account details on a website.

     

    Reg fee covers LO and cameraflyer costs for five jumps per day for four days. I am a full time skydiver so I do need to earn something per day, I hope you understand. This is not planned to be a profit-gouging event, registration is still pretty reasonable and bigway event costs are notoriously unpredictable. My 2.5yo daughter thanks you. x

    STEP THREE

    Fill in the registration form...

     

    • It's the minimum information we need now.  
    • There will be a later form, early July, with more detailed information so that we can make sure you get the most from the camp. 
    • Jump numbers don't need to be precise. To the nearest round number is fine. 
  • Who's got a confirmed slot?

    Did I mention this was first come first served?

    LO1) Brian Cumming

    LO2) Rob Kendall.

    Vid1) Paul Rimmington, previosly attended as cameraflyer in 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021.

    Vid2) Martin Skrbel, previously attended as participant to the BigWay Skills Camp in 2018 & 2019 and as cameraflyer in 2020. Confirmed in.

     

    Karen Collins, UK, 400 jumps, 12 hours tunnel
    Jemma Westing, UK, 268, 18
    Jana Faixova, Slovakia, 340, 23
    Pavol Letko, Slovakie, 230, 10
    Christian Sanabria, German, 400, 40

    10 Richard Owen, UK, 739, 51
     

    Griff Jones, UK, 550, 8
    Chris Holland, UK, 840, 20
    Jens Klobes, German, 1270, 35
    Edgar Lisboa, Finland/UK/Brazil, 360, 11
    15 Misha Jankovic, Serbia, 900, 7
     

    Lubomir Grofcik, Slovakia, 1600, 15
    Vojtěch Kozák, Czechia, 310, 4
    Severin Bojić, Montenegro, 200, 5
    Filip Zec, Serbia, 200, 6
    20 Ilona Baessler, German, 3500, 40
     

    Jose Bäßler, German, 980, 40

    Zvonimir Veljaca, Croatia, Germany, 850, 4
    Heiko Kunze Germany 4900 4
    Holly Voysey, UK, 145, 3.5

    25 Will Fieldhouse, UK, 100, 3


    Bernd Imme, Ausria/German, 5000, 10
    Clive Vardakis, UK, 576, 40
    David Eyre, UK/Sweden, 350, 12
    Luciano Rambelli, Italy, 3400, 40
    30 Steve Kenworthy, England, 1640, 3
     

    Gordon Wong, HongKong/UK, 350. 5
    Catherine Kempton ('KC'), UK 1000, 10
    Alex Johnson, UK, 250, 8

    Jason Fox, UK, 772, 22,
    35 Phil Murray, UK, 580, 10
     

    Ian Longbottom, UK, 300, 3
    Richard Kolozsi, Slovakia, 700, 300
    Melanie Oldham, UK, 290, 10

    Norbert Friedel, Germany, 1750, 5

    40 Simon Beck, UK, 354, 17
     

    41 Jozef Kalnicky, 1700, 15

    42 Phil Cane, 976, 15


    If we push the plane capacity, we could squeeze 48ppl total onto this camp.

     

  • BigWay Skills Camp and past events

    BigWay Skills Camp 2020 - Martin Skrbel edit

    July 2020

    Skydive Pink, Klatovy, Czech Republic. 48 skydivers travelled from around Europe to jump.

     

    Video by Martin Skrbel

    BigWay Skills Camp 2020 - Emily Aucutt edit

    July 2020

    Skydive Pink, Klatovy, Czech Republic. 48 skydivers travelled from around Europe to jump.

     

    Video by Emily Aucutt

    BigWay Skills Camp 2019 - Paul Rimmington edit

    May 2019

    BigWay Camp was at Skydive Pink Klatovy in Czech Republic. 46 skydivers travelled from UK and Ireland to jump.

     

    Video by Paul Rimmington

    BigWay Camp 2019 - Tom Shorten edit

    May 2019

    BigWay Camp was at Skydive Pink Klatovy in Czech Republic. 46 skydivers travelled from UK and Ireland to jump.

     

    Video by Tom Shorten

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    BRIT200

    2020-2024

    Brit100 was 1999. It's time to go big again.

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    Skydive Algarve Xmas Boogie

    Xmas 2019

    FS LO at Skydive Algarve Xmas Boogie

    BigWay Camp 2018 - 22ways

    May 2018

    BigWay Camp was at Skydive Pink Klatovy in Czech Republic. 22 skydivers travelled from UK and Ireland to jump.

     

    Video by Paul Rimmington

    BigWay Fun 2017 - 45ways

    BigWay Fun 2017 was at Skydive Pink Klatovy in Czech Republic. 45 skydivers travelled from across Northern Europe to jump. Don't expect the same standard of skydiving at the camp. Camps are for learning and training. This is a no stress, no blame camp for learning.

     

    And yes, I'm biased, but this is my most favourite event video ever. Credit: Dan Girdea

     

    Paul - the gauntlet has been laid. ;-)

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    What does Brian know anyway?

    Sept 2015

    World Record 2 point 202way formation. This photo shows the intermediary photo between the two points. Taken over Skydive Perris. Photo by Willy Boeykens

    202way Sequential World Record - My PoV

    I was late diver on a trail plane on a nine plane formation. This is my footage. Can you see the quadrant, the radial, the stadium and the tracking teams?

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    BigWay Beginners - Nethers, Langar & Hib

     

    BWB has been running since Caroline Hughes and Skydive Choreography came up with the concept. We teach the basics in a no blame environment whilst providing testing slots for intermediate and experienced skydivers at the same time. BWB has run at Nethers, Langar and Hibaldstow in the past. If you know a DZ that offers a multi-plane experience in 2020, we'd love to know. This photo taken over Hib. Photo by Jon Trevor.

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    Chasing Tails 28way team - Hib

     

    Chasing Tails competed in the Hib 28way competition from inception to 2013. Brian was captain in 2011 (1st place) and 2013 (2nd place). Photo by Matt Black.

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    Skydive Spain Xmas Boogie

    Xmas 2008 and 2009

    FS Load Organiser at Skydive Spain Christmas Boogie.

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    Also likes wingsuits

    Oct 2015

    Large formation wingsuit world record holder - 61way set over Skydive Perris. Photo by Norman Kent.

  • Testimonials

    48 ppl, two groups.

    Rated 4.8/5 from 31 reviews

    46 ppl, two groups.

    Rated 4.7/5 from 32 reviews

    23 ppl, one group.

    Rated 4.8/5 from 22 reviews

    It's simply not possible for the BigGERWay Skills Camp to be more special. Expect a good event where you will learn loads. If BigGERWSC21 is hyped too much so that you're expecting the best skydiving event ever, then if you only get a very good event, then it may be a disappointment.

    Holy crap, the pressure is on! ;-)