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21:40
At the close of day on the Saturday, we have done 96
lifts in 9.5 hours. If the weather holds tomorrow, we
will complete the competition. Some amazing scores have
been seen and this is testiment to the new attitude
towards training in the UK and especially the wind
tunnels. To this effect, an interview with Voice Box is
posted here from Bodyflight's manager, Paul Mayer.
Take a look at the results
here.
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Paul Mayer is the face behind Bodyflight. He has
sponsored 4 teams at the 4-way event and they
are all doing well at the time of writing. |
 Hours
in the tunnel: Lost count!
Number of jumps: 280ish
How did you get involved with the
tunnel in the first place: After AFF / Tunnel in
Florida – I knew the UK was in need of a tunnel… so set
about it as soon as I got home.
1. Bodyflight (and other
tunnels) have been open long enough to make a difference
in the Grand Prix average points scores. They have shot
up. Do you attribute this solely to the tunnel, or do
you think there are other reasons?
I think that the progression is helped greatly by
tunnels but I think the number of teams that are
seriously committed to training is increasing all the
time… if we didn’t exist I think more teams would train
abroad – but probably the tunnels can be credited with
the larger increases in scores for intermediate and
rookie classes.
2. There are many rumours flying
around about the future of this tunnel, e.g. new tunnels
on other locations, games facilities, a jacuzzi, etc.
What plans do you have for the future?
We have recently completed our accommodation block…
Café/Bar will be ready within a few weeks and we are
starting on our Gym/Sauna/Jacuzzi sports hall in the
coming weeks. We are aiming to make our facility as good
outside the flight chamber as inside!
3. In general the tunnel is a
positive influence on the sport. However some would
argue that it is taking regular jumpers away from their
local DZ’s. Is this fair or simply business?
I don’t know of many people that stop jumping due to
tunnels – but obviously there is probably an impact
through less disposable income. I don’t know if jumpers
spend more through the encouragement that the tunnel
gives (also the non-weather issues) or if this impacts
the DZ’s. Its hard to create any new business with no
economic issues for others – but I sincerely hope that
our tunnels are an asset.
4. Where do you see the future of
skydiving going with wind tunnels in the UK?
I really want to see the UK starting to blossom with
talent at the world meets… this is why we started the
Bodyflight Project. I hope to continue with this aim in
mind and encourage flyers of all levels to progress. We
have the facilities to do well now (a lot of non-UK
jumpers are training in the UK now for a change!) so
hopefully we can all do well.
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