Airboarding (I don't even know the name of it)

[István]

Hey,

Does anyone have experience with the sport when you jump out of a plane with a parachute but you have a board attached to you feet? What's the name of it?

Does it have anything common with snowboarding?

I have tried parachuting this weekend and I liked it so much, that I'm considering to try it with a board. Before doing so I need to pass a costy exam and I'd like to know beforehand if it is similar to snowboarding or absolutely different - than I stay with the tandem jumps.


Cheers,

István

ps.: Sorry for the poor pic quality, it was grabbed from a video...

[Benn]

Hey,

Does anyone have experience with the sport when you jump out of a plane with a parachute but you have a board attached to you feet? What's the name of it?

Does it have anything common with snowboarding?

Skysurfing

It looks like a snowboard but i'm sure there are specific boards.
Shoes are not hard boots

Bye.

[sorro]

Yes, that's skysurf...

this seems absolutely great but I guess you need very good skills in Free Fall before reaching the availability to be on a board. I made something like 20 jumps and the fact to stand up (and standing the position) in the air is VERY difficult and needs lots of practice. I was far to be able to it, only some back and front flips , that was great and I think that Free fall is the top in term of sensation .
I'm sure Patrice will have more information for you on that point

Here is an interesting link:
http://www.bpa.org.uk/skydive/pages/art ... fwwyou.htm

And also some pictures:
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/gallery ... Board&img=

One day I saw a TV show in which a swiss Girl ( don't remember her name) jumped from the plane on a snowboard and then landed on the top of a snowy volcano (dropping away her parachute) and snowboarded it without stopping from the plane to the bottom of the volcano ...

[fivat]

I think that Free fall is the top in term of sensation .
I'm sure Patrice will have more information for you on that point

I confirm: it's the top! I have only 50 jumps, but I'm addicted...

Skysurfing si very difficult! You need 200-300 free fall jumps before learning this discipline. Moreover it's dangerous: this summer a beginner, 18 years old, died in France He was not able to control his board...

I'm interested in trying skysurfing in the future, but this accident could change my mind...

Patrice Fivat

[István]

So I guess skysurfing is definetely not for me after one single tandem flight...

Thanks for all your responses,

Cheers,

István

[djlepper]

Istvan, I know what you mean! I felt similar after couple of my first jumps. In States (which I think has the most progressive AFF - advanced freefall program) to start learning skysurfing you have to have at least C license, and be a pretty experienced freeflyer (sitfly, freestyle etc).
I know in Europe, they are more strict about. If I remember correctly only in Belgium, and Netherlands they had dropezones that offered simmilar courses as in States, but it still would take you at least two seasons to complete 100-150 jumps if you work hard. If you still feel like trying skysurfing talk to your jumpmasters at the DZ, to get you started on AFF (if offered), or any other equivalent course that will get you jumps towards the first level license, and take it from there:)

Blue skies!

-matt

ps. After 2 or 3 tandems you can start skydiving with your shute on with 2 jumpmasters first, than as you progress 1. So keep up with tandems on the begining:) (than you won't have to do low altitude static line jumps)