Lady ways for days, literally! Nov 12th, 13th and 14th a slew of women all got together at GoJump Oceanside and did some record attempts! It was an incredibly successful weekend. In two days, we knocked out 3 records:
- CA Women’s Headdown 1pt record 17way
- CA Women’s Headdown 2pt record 17way
- CA General Headdown 2pt record 19way (ladies + Beau Kahler)
<Link to the baller edit from the weekend here>
The smooth DZ operations, the beautiful weather, the talented jumpers, and the great attitudes made for an easy weekend.
GoJump Oceanside played host to us ladies, making the event not just smooth and seamless, but super enjoyable. We fit in 5 jumps a day, taking the Caravan up to 15k to give us a little extra working time. We had our own hangar area to pack and debrief. The DZ even generously took us out to dinner at a cute little place in Oceanside Friday evening.
Jaz and Jessie organized a great record; they pulled in awesome talent. Every woman there earned her slot, flying amazing. We didn’t even need to reorganize slots to accommodate anyone. On Day 1 Jump 2, we knocked out the 1pt record. I think Jump 5 that day we knocked out the 2pt record. In between, we tried for the CA Women’s 3pt record a few times. Day 2, we tried for the 3pt record a few more times, and knocked out the CA 2pt record the first attempt we tried it. Day 3, we tried the 3pt once more, then moved into fun jump sequentials. (After jump 2, an airplane drove off the runway at the airport, so that stalled operations for the day and we called it.)
The ladies brought an awesome supportive attitude and flew really strong. I could count on all the members of the team to fly their part. If there were struggles, like bumping on exit, we talked through it, no finger-pointing, no infighting. I had a lovely time just meeting new ladies and spending time with friends.
Before getting into freefly records this summer, my only record attempt left me unenthused. Actually, I gave up on records after the CO Women’s Belly record attempt in 2017. While we had generous DZ support, we didn’t have the talent pool. Despite the fact that we had two planes going up to 16k AGL in CO (where the DZ is at 5k), between the short freefall and the lack of belly talent locally, we couldn’t get the record. We also didn’t have organizers that were willing to move people around as necessary to organize for success. I walked away from that record being (selfishly) disheartened and a little put off by records. However, this record experience was night-and-day different. I left the CA record weekend very pleased with the results.
Two things I walked away pondering
What does good organization look like for a record?
I’ve done skills camps. I’ve done other events that aren’t skills specific, like some big-way belly things. I know what those look like, from a briefing, debriefing, and coaching standpoint. But what should I expect from a record? I assumed there should be minimal coaching and briefing needed. But then, what if important things aren’t being said in the briefing or debriefing? As a participant, when is it appropriate to speak up? How do you do that? Is it worth speaking up, because you want the thing to work or is that disrespectful? If you’ve got feedback, how do you give it? Or do you just… not?
For example: on our 3pt attempts, the 2nd point was a 6way base with whacker lines. Moving to the 3rd pt, a few grips dropped in the base and we would open up to a BFR. However, as everyone knows for any BFR, everyone has to drive to the center. If any grip in a BFR drops, the easiest way to fix it is to drive to the center. Everyone should know that. Everyone should proactively do that. But people don’t always fly to the center. I would expect “drive towards the center” to be worth highlighting in the briefing. If it’s not, what do you do? What if the reason that 3rd point isn’t building is because the group isn’t driving to the center? What if the organizer isn’t addressing that? Answer: idk. But if you know, please tell me. My take away is that I want to try to organize some records or events and see how I do. Then maybe I will have some thoughts on it.
Either way, I was super impressed with the team effort over the weekend. The organizers did a great job coordinating the event and we killed it in the sky.
Are “women’s records” a good thing?
After we called it on Sunday, a few of us gathered over beers and inevitably, we started down this road of discussion. Opinions went both ways: Well, why do we need a women-centric thing? Can’t women be as good as men? Are these records worth less than general/co-ed records? What’s the purpose? Are they overall a good thing? Or a bad thing?
I have spent some time thinking about this. I’ve been doing “women-centric” things in the sport for a bit: Won an gold in indoor 4way belly, but it was the women’s medal. Got a couple women’s records under my belt now. Participated in WSN Mobile mentor program. I’m trying to get on Project19 and mulling over the 200way, and I’ve even wondered if I get on Project19, but not the 200way, will it feel like less of an achievement?
So what do I think? Are women’s records a good thing?
I think yes.
For a couple reasons:
A. Community. Women-centric events builds community. I’ve made new friends at every P19 even and every women’s record that I attend. Women are so much more likely to stay in the sport when they feel connected. These events help build friendships, build support and community. I think that’s one of the hugest advantages; it’s a large reason why I do them.
B. Attainability. This isn’t the case for every women, but I think it is worth mentioning. Women’s records feel attainable in a way that co-ed records don’t. For me, the idea of trying to get onto a super-competitive co-ed record when I’m still relatively new to this intimidates me. For example, knowing that I’m trying to get onto a record that people who coach me are getting on just feels… weird. Honestly, knowing that the pool is smaller, (and less cut-throat from my experience) builds up my confidence. I think women-centric events can feel more attainable and this matters to some women.
C. Aspiration and spotlight. Finally, I think the hype that women-centric events gets is really important. It’s important to highlight achievement because it sets an example for other women. For me, I tend to look at someone and think “If they can do it, I certainly can”. I want other women to look at me and think that. I think women-centric events can inspire other women to push themselves to think bigger, to aspire to more.
TLDR:
Great weekend. Pleased as punch to have 3 more records under my belt, especially the CA co-ed record. Organizing things is hard, but I still want to get into it. Women-centric events are important.
Big thanks to GoJump Oceanside for hosting us and being amazing. Big thanks to Jazmyne Martinez and Jessie Thompson for organizing and inviting me. Thanks to all the other awesome women who made it super fun! Thanks to Chad Ross and Beau Kahler for flying video for us and making us look rad.