Detail from 'Sunset Track,' by Gen Montreuil. Working image supplied by Brian Buckland

Gen Montreuil, a Canadian artist and skydiver, has a Kickstarter project to take her on a head-down painting journey. Not both at the same time, but she does incorporate striking head-down images into her work. Check it out:

Dreams That Soar
Kickstarter Project page

4 people like this post.

Unlike

Two famous men went on tandem skydives yesterday. One did it for his 88th birthday, and to raise awareness of ending childhood hunger. The other did it probably for the same reason most of us did – to have something to tweet about.

Former U.S. Senator and 1972 Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern jumped at Skydive Space Center in Titusville, FL. Full story at Florida Today.

And then this guy jumped in Australia …

The world's biggest twit is now one of us.

Which one are you more excited to call a fellow skydiver now?

1 person likes this post.

Unlike

Taig Khris, the Ramp Warrior

This is, like, totally gnarly, bro. And, yeah, a little old. Whatever. It’s Friday. I love how he gulps a Red Bull just before his death-defying stunt. Radical in a tubular kind of way.

From asylum.com:

In-line skater Taig Khris, the most decorated athlete in extreme sports, jumped from 41 feet off the Eiffel Tower onto a ramp, setting a world record.

Khris (aka the “Ramp Warrior”) launched himself off the first floor of the Parisian landmark onto a ramp, before remaining on his feet for an impressive celebratory skate, then hitting the deck and plowing through a bundle of safety boxes.

The 34-year-old was attempting a new Guinness world record for the longest free fall from a structure onto a landing ramp.

It was also the world’s highest jump on roller skates. After the stunt, the French fruitloop said, “Two years nonstop, I didn’t sleep for nights and nights for that small moment up there and now, as you can see, I made it. So that’s cool. I’ve never had such a strong adrenaline rush.”

The previous Guinness record for the highest jump on roller skates was the 28-foot world record set by American Danny Way.

1 person likes this post.

Unlike

Rockstar/Skydive New England vidiot Sean Rogan (featured in our November 2009 issue) has another awesome video for the song he wrote about his Sabre 170, “Canopy Song.” We won’t delay your grinning time any longer, so here it is:

To download this song and more, check out www.seanprogan.com.

PS – We are loving “No Jumping in Lebanon Today”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

and “Ready, Set, Go!” too!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

8 people like this post.

Unlike

God bless a bastion of journalistic excellence like the New York Daily News for leading off their story (note awesomely snarky URL) with that line. And making it seem as if his lawyer’s response to “Will Jeb try to jump any other New York landmarks?” is “He’s going to jump out of a plane and land without a parachute while wearing a squirrel suit.”

"2006_04_empireidiot.jpg" from gothamist.com.

In any case, the verdict is in and Jeb Corliss is not welcome at the Empire State Building. Ever. Again.

AP: Judge bans daredevil Jeb Corliss from ever stepping foot into Empire State Building

Like

Unlike

From our friend Duane Palmer in Tennessee,

“Please meet Jennifer & Steve Helffrich…

Jennifer & Steve Helffrich

Jennifer, Steve & Friends

Steve as Tandem Master

On Saturday, April 10, 2010, during a normal skydive, Steve experienced a double malfunction (failure of both the main and reserve parachutes to fully deploy and/or inflate) and was flown via Life Flight to the only trauma center within 150 miles, Regional Medical Center (also known as ‘The Med’) in Memphis, Tennessee.

Steve sustained multiple life threatening injuries including damage to his aorta (the most serious of his injuries), punctured/deflated left lung, dislocated/broken right hip, and broken ribs on the right side (#5 thru #9).

Since being admitted into the trauma ICU, Steve has undergone several surgeries including vascular surgery to repair his aorta, the insertion of 6 chest tubes total, as well as surgery last week to remove excess fluid and infection surrounding his left lung.

Known by many as the “Mom and Dad” of the drop zone, Jen & Steve are always doing kind things for others while expecting nothing in return.  Most of us that skydive with them spend every weekend sharing our passion for the sport and the amazing friendships that have been established.  To a majority of us, they are our extended family.  Jen & Steve are both amazing skydivers, coaches, and most of all, friends – sharing this zest for life with anyone and everyone that will listen to them speak about the sport.

In this time of need, those of us that are friends, family, acquaintances, and those that will never “jump out of a perfectly good airplane,” have the opportunity to show them our support – whether it be through well wishes, cards, private prayer/church prayer lists, and/or donations.

Thankfully, Jen & Steve have insurance but with an accident of this severity, there are numerous additional incurred bills/daily hardships.  In order to show support, the Helffrich Benefit Fund has been established through First Tennessee Bank.

There are 3 options of how you can donate to this Fund:

#1:        Visit ANY First Tennessee Bank branch with the following account information:
Helffrich Benefit Fund (Account #182355531)
** NOTE: To find the closest First Tennessee Bank location to you, CLICK HERE **

#2:        Visit https://public.serviceu.com/payment/default.asp?OrgID=12725&PaymentID=7920

Enter contact information & banking information
(Check #/Checking Account Number/Routing Number)

** NOTE: This payment option is through David P. Smith’s Company, ServiceU Corporation, whose business is processing secure online transactions. **

#3:        If you are unable to visit a First Tennessee Bank location, do not have a branch in your area and/or do not wish to donate online, a check made out to Helffrich Benefit Fund can be sent to:

David P. Smith
1154 Talamore Cove
Collierville, TN  38017

Should you wish to send a card to Jen & Steve, please address them to:

David P. Smith
Attn:  Helffrich Family
1154 Talamore Cove
Collierville, TN  38017″

Current Update: He finally made it home last week. As it turned out he was really, really lucky!! It was really touch and go for a while there. He is now up and able to move around to a degree with a walker. And is very positive about life!!

But the running tally was 3 surgeries, 9 chest tubes (at different times), 31 days in ICU, 1 night in a regular room, 2 nights in Trauma Step Down ICU, countless x-rays and CT’s, a stent in the aorta, a trach, several broken bones all healing and about 35 lbs dropped. Plus 2 weeks in an rehab center.

The family could still use the financial help until he is able to get back up and to work. Any help would be great!!

He actually was able to get up and made it out to the DZ last weekend (didn’t jump naturally, but his wife got in a couple). The incident didn’t scare him away from the sport in the least. I think that he will be more involved now than ever. In training, coaching and teaching safety!! I can’t wait until he is able to be back in the air with us…

4 people like this post.

Unlike

We’d like to welcome our newest subscriber, Crystal Prom, better known as “That Girl Who Landed In the Tree at CarolinaFest 2010,” or “TreeGirl” for short.

Where nicknames are born. Yes, there is a girl dangling under that canopy. Photo by Trunk/Hypoxic.

TreeGirl handled a scary situation like a pro, going up for a second jump later that day. For that kind of spunk, bravery and badassedness, we had to give her a complimentary subscription to Blue Skies Mag. She also got 50% off a Mirage rig from a slightly inebriated Ward Hessig (pictures on the far left) later that night. (Helpful boogie tip: if you want any Mirage shwag, give Ward liquor.)

Congrats, TreeGirl, now you’re really a skydiver!

4 people like this post.

Unlike