When are the sessions?
Participant numbers for each event are strictly limited to 17 per event and this seasons dates for the Swing and Fling are:
02/09/2010
09/09/2010
16/09/2010
How to sign up?
To participate, please make sure your membership is paid and up to date and contact our Swing and Fling Team through our contact form. Please don't forget to state which dates would suit you and clearly state your timing preferences.
Where is it happening?
The event location this year is at:
What are we talking about?
Each year during September, just before the start of the summer season, we organise a number of swing and fling nights. We hoist our pilots up on ropes in a gym and as pilots swing across the gym, they can practice throwing their reserves, then watch and participate as their reserves are repacked by suitably qualified professionals.
In past years there have been a number of incidents including reserves not attached, pens jammed in deployment loops and all manner of other potential failures. These nights are great for knowing that your equipment is in good condition and ready to go.
Velcro Lock - this is a phenomenon used to describe the condition where Velcro left attached for long periods of time tends to become more and more locked together. For those reserve handles held in place by Velcro, it may be quite a surprise just how much effort it takes to release the handle.
Know how to throw your reserve - this may seem like an obvious point but how many of you actually have a manual for your reserve deployment system and how many of you have actually read it?
Reserve attachment points - in general the recommended system is to use a metallic quick link or similar between the harness bridle and the reserve bridal however ensure your set-up complies with the manufacturers specifications. Bridle through bridle connections have been discouraged in the past due to the risk of friction burns through the material during the stress of deployment. When using a quick link remember to use tape or O-rings to align the bridle connection along the strongest orientation of the link.
Wear your gloves and helmet during practice - simulating as many conditions as possible is desirable, for example your helmet may obscure your peripheral vision when reaching for that handle, do you know the location and feel of your reserve handle without looking at it?
For some footage on how to swing and fling, the following footage will give you some idea:
