Skydive North West
Latest news
"Come Try 4-Way"
Date added: 30 Sep 2009
One final event for 2009 kicked off over Northwest Parachute Centre last Saturday. “Come Try 4-Way” was attended by 6 keen fun jumpers eager to try some new and exciting formations. The group was divided in to 2 and Dave Honeybone jumped in each group to make up the 4th person. A challenging first jump was attempted by all but set the day off to a good fun start. Each group completed 4 jumps by 5pm. A fun day had by all and everyone left feeling like they had learned something new (however big or small it was). Thanks to all who attended look forward to seeing you again, Northwest Event Team
Your Cark FS Coaches have just won Bronze!
Date added: 12 Aug 2009
Dave and Helen started out competing in 4 Way in 2005 where they went with their Rookie team (Team 100%) to the Nationals for some fun experience of competition. Having had no coaching and with less than 70 jumps each they left after a great time but with a mission to get some professional coaching to make some personal & team improvements. 2006 - After coaching from ex UK champions they saw their average rocket from 5 to 18 in just 1 year and managed to win the UK Skydiving League and a Silver medal at the Nationals as well as scoring the highest ever round in the Rookie category (24 points). 2007 - Moved up into Single A category and won Gold in the UK Nationals and also Gold in Belgium when they represented UK at the European Skydiving League. 2008 - With a new line up they employed John McIver (ex UK Champion - XL) to work with them as player coach when they jumped from A class to AAA. This was a year of learning all the new blocks, slot switchers & techniques under the watchful eye of the coach. The team did exceptionally well and placed 5th at the Nationals after a very tight competition. 2009 - With 2 new team members the AAA training incorporated coaches from Arizona Airspeed, Deland Magic and XL. After completing 3 training camps, over 250+ training jumps and over 10 hours in the wind tunnel their team, SonicNutz managed to beat off 12 other top British teams to secure the Bronze Medal placing. The team have now been chosen on the basis of their performance to be part of the UK delegation at the World Cup in Czech Republic in Sept 09. Good Luck!!
Fun Day Playing 4-Way Scrambles 2nd May 09
Date added: 19 May 2009
The first bank holiday in May got off to a great start with our first ever 4-Way Scrambles competition. The weather was good & the people were keen so with no time to waste the teams were randomly selected and the dive pool handed out to the 5 teams that entered. With some of the jumpers having some 4-Way experience they were able to talk their way through open accordians and donuts to some very confused faces! With Dave and Helen on hand to assist where required, the teams enthusiastically got down to business of creeping and dirt diving. The atmosphere was great with everyone enjoying the opportunity to jump with people they may not normally. Of course the competitive spirit was present with Stuart making comments about how many points they had scored on each dive.....Was it true? Had they done well? Should we be worried? Competition brings out the best in mind games!!! Entering into the 4-Way scrambles is an excellent way to meet and gel with you fellow jumpers. It also tests every skill you have as a skydiver, it puts you in a different slot, it forces you to address levels, it shows you how important discipline is on a dive but most importantly it’s one hell of a good giggle. As the end of the day drew near the videos were taken away to a secret location and the scores totted up. It was a close competition all round and the winning team took the prize by a cats whisker of 1 point! Team `4Louts’, Gary Hall, Tony Spruce, Alan Lewis and Helen were delighted to be crowned the winners of the competition. Many thanks go out to each and everyone that entered and who demonstrated good sportsmanship throughout. Appreciation also goes out to the team cameramen who had to ensure they didn’t wobble the camera when they were laughing at some of the exits – Simon, Neil and Gary. So with spirits high and daylight left it would have been rude not to get those still on the DZ back in the air to do a big way which coincided with Helen’s 1000th jump! What a perfect ending to a really enjoyable day – we completed our 12 way sunset load with stunning views over the bay and lake Coniston and Windermere and landed to the smell of the DZ BBQ. Keep your eyes on the website for forthcoming events.
Big Way Fun Had By All!!!
Date added: 15 Jun 2009
One good weather day, one group of 26 eager beavers and over 100 descents made! All jumpers were given a skills brief before they were broken down into groups. The event aims were to unite regular and guest jumpers with a chance to try something different. This was a basic introduction to the skill set required to jumping big way. This meant it gave some people the chance to be last diver, others to float and some to be in the base. Jumps were co-ordinated to simulate the requirements of jumpers in a big way - driving up the hill, diving down, referencing, docking and tracking away safely. For some it highlighted areas of personal improvement, for others a chance to do something different. All in all the atmosphere was great with everyone simply supporting each others learning curve. Groups were between 8 and 12 ways with camera men Simon Nath and Neil Mclaren filming and occasionally getting right in the thick of it!! A big thank you to all that attended, who were keen to jump and happy to learn and as always any feed back would be greatly appreciated, Regards Northwest Events Team Dave & H
Wonderfull Wednesday!!!
Date added: 31 Mar 2009
Cark opened last wednesday for its first midweek WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY!!! With a slightly cloudy start it soon cleared up offering clear blue warm skies over the DZ. Kate & Miles managed to bring in around 15 students who all had a great day of jumping & Dave Honeybone was busy with his group doing load organising all day. The AFF School also had a great day with 1 student "The Mighty Mike" completing 4 Levels - Well Done Lad!!! Last but not least a few Free Flyer's turned for some fun & managed to get Mike Caruthers to take them on a couple of tracking dives.................. So all in all around 100 descents were made.............fantastic fun had by all. Thanks to everyone who turned up we look forward to seeing you all again soon on the next Wonderful Wednesday (keep your eyes open for the next Wednesday open day). Cheers Northwest Events Team
5-Way Speed Star Comp 21st March 09
Date added: 19 May 2009
After a slow start due to a heavy but beautiful mist, the 5-way speed star competition got under way after lunch. The entrants were divided into three random teams , Team NFC, Team A B or C and Team Green is Not Your Enemy. Overall it was a close race between all teams but team 'Green is Not Your Enemy' made up of Pete Mather, Kate Hayes, Les Nixon, Steve Luke and Ali Bellaby took first place WELL DONE GUYS!!! Thanks go out to Mand & Darren Bailey who did a fantastic job judging the competition and of course the cameramen (and women) who had the toughest job of all!! As the sun went down over the Lake District and people enjoyed a beer or 10 the familiar smell of the DZ BBQ filled the air. Finally as a fabulous end to a great day the DZ had an amazing visit from two passing Hercules who did not 1 but 2 very breathtaking low passes. THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME AND TOOK PART!!! Skydive Northwest Events Team
Club Corner - BPA Magazine
Date added: 27 Jan 2008
Skydive North West is exploding with skydiving talent and we need to tell the world about it! If you have become a qualified skydiver this last year, got your FS, FF or any other rating - or achieved some other major milestone be it 50, 100, 500 or 1000 jumps we want to know about it. Use the contact us page to tell us and we'll make you famous! (well sort of!)
New web site and name!
Date added: 31 Jul 2007
We might be one of the country's oldest skydiving and parachuting centres but we still very much keep up with the times. We've recently launched our brand new web site, which over the coming weeks will be developed further to include online booking and a host of other cool features. We've also settled on a brand new name for the centre more in keeping with the public's perception of the sport - and that is Skydive North West. Although the company will for the time being remain the North West Parachute Centre Ltd we felt that the term skydive was now more appropriate and better understood by the general public and so that is what we are working towards trading as. Please update your bookmarks folders and tell your friends about the new site and name www.skydivenorthwest.co.uk
Tel: 015395 58672 Fax: 01772 787106
Address: Cark Airfield, Flookburgh, Grange Over Sands, CUMBRIA, LA11 7LS
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