What do you want to achieve at Skysisters:
I would like to have some great success stories to tell. It is so rewarding watching new jumpers progress beyond what they even thought they were capable of. Inspiring confidence and enthusiasm in my new friends is achievement enough for me!

Wish list:
Lots of great jumps, plenty of energy and no injuries!

A big smile on my face during after every jump and knowing that everyone is feeling the same way!  :) 

 

Melanie Curtis

Profile as at 2010

Home Drop Zone: Skydive Elsinore

How many years jumping: 14

Jumps: 7000+

Breakdown of jumps: 3500 FS belly training/organizing jumps, 2000 freefly training/organizing jumps, 1500 everything else.. Canopy piloting, AFF, tracking, bigger-ways, etc.

What disciplines most into: 4-way FS, 4-way VFS, Canopy Piloting (competing!)

Container: Mirage Systems

Main: Velocity 84

Reserve: PD Optimum 113

AAD: Cypres 2

Team achievements:
4-way FS: USPA Nationals Advanced Gold, Elsinore Adrenaline 2004.. Silver, Elsinore Adrenaline and Elsinore Gravity 2004 and 2006.

4-way VFS: USPA Nationals Advanced Bronze/Silver, Elsinore Jedi 2007/2008... Gold, Elsinore VFS 2009.

Canopy Piloting: Elsinore Swoop Club 3rd place (not huge, but I'm totally proud of this one! ;))

Record/Demo/Commercial achievements:
Women's Vertical World Record, 2008, 20-way.

Naked Head Down Record, Chicks Rock Boogie, 2008, 9-way, unofficial, hahaa.

Fantastic 4, Charlotte Motor Speedway.

T-Mobile, Downtown San Francisco Demo, Pier 99.

IBAC hidden-rig soccer mom, Emerald Nuts falling stewardess, Honda big-ways, Weird Al Yankovic video, Samsung freefall texting, etc.

Claim to fame:
Hmm, claim to fame, good question... I actually think my claim to fame is my unique, and seemingly endless supply of energy and enthusiasm when it comes to skydiving and skydivers.  Even I can admit it's a bit of an anomoly. :)  I also would guess my long-time work at Skydive Elsinore, such that I'm now called "Melsinore."  Oh geez, hahaa.. I resisted it for a couple years, but finally gave in.  Specifically, our Chicks Rock Boogie, and that event's unparalleled vibe of love, awesomeness, and hilarity. :)

Your thoughts on female skydivers:
Being separated by gender in our sport always used to bother me.. because skydiving is unlike other sports in that the women and the men truly are on equal ground, and women can compete at equally high levels as men.  So in that environment, I was always annoyed when people set me apart as a woman in the sport.  Then I did the Women's Vertical Record in 2008, led awesomely by Amy and Melissa, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences in my career up to that point.  My whole perspective was transformed and I finally APPRECIATED that there really aren't that many of us in this absolutely badass sport, we're making it happen among a huge percentage of men, and it's awesome to celebrate ourselves! I dig it.  Women's Vertical Record, all-chicks loads at Chicks Rock, Skysisters Boogie, Swoop Girls, etc.  To get around my annoyance in the competitive arena, I just choose to be a badass in all disciplines. ;) hahaa

What sort of jumps do you want to organise at Skysisters:
I down to do any kind of jumping the peeps want to do-- freefly, belly fly, tracking, hybrids, high-performance canopy flocking, speed stars, multi-discipline jumps, big-ways FS or FF, costume jumps, bikini-ways, all-chicks... whatever! :))  Basically, my goal has always been to keep learning such that I could eventually jump with anyone on any dive in any discipline, and with that have the maximum amount of fun possible.

What plans do you have for the girls:
Love, awesomeness, and hilarity.  In the air and on the ground.  Nuff said.

What message you want to get across to girls at Skysisters:
"Being serious" in the sport, doesn't mean you have to actually be serious.  Meaning, I am one of the most driven and goal-oriented people I know, but that intensity and focus does NOT have to box out having fun and being ridiculous on the way to achieving those goals.  The most successful teams I have ever been on, the ones that made the most progress, and achieved the most.. the ones I remember as the best of my career.. are the teams that laughed all year long.

Any seminars you want to run at Skysisters:
Maybe tracking dives, general load organizing, belly body position for badasses, team-building, etc..... anything!  Ack, I'm just so excited!! :))

Any topics you particularly want to see covered:
Being new to this event as an organizer and coach, I'm not quite sure how it all works, but honestly what I personally would love is some kind of meet-n-greet... I feel like everything is always more fun with that feeling of team/group unity. :)

What jumps do you personally want to do at Skysisters:
I most definitely want to do some tracking dives, head down multi-point medium-ways, and nothing beats a straight-up belly speed star with a kick-ass bonus point.. hehehe........ ;)

What do you want to achieve at Skysisters:
Fun and learning had by all!!  And new friendships, just the beginning of the years to come. :))

Wish list:
Well, being invited to this event is literally a dream realized for me, all by itself, so everything else is gravy!  Back in 1998-99, I lived in Australia for a year (Townsville and west of Sydney), and fell in LOVE with the country.  Truly, I consider my second home.  I arrived in the country with 10-ish static-line jumps, and went home with just over 100.  On a college student's income (or lack thereof), that meant skipping class to work a job, sitting on the side of the road waiting for rides, and eating canned spaghetti every weekend at the DZ to afford my jumps. Saved and spent every last penny I had on jumping, skimped on everything else, and loved it. I had a plane ticket to go home to the US that expired literally one year after issue... I used it on the last possible day before it expired because I didn't want to leave. :)  

I have since been back to visit some of my best friends and just "come home," but I haven't come back for jumping yet... this will be it... 11 years later.  I cannot wait.  I guess, if I had to wish for something, I'd wish to see some of the people who helped me way back when I was learning. Larry Gane, in particular would be awesome.  Super nice guy/instructor, always took care of me like a Dad, and I owe him for picking me up at the round-about every single weekend I was at college. ;)

 

Melissa (Missy) Nelson

Profile as at 2010

Home Drop Zone: Skydive Chicago & Skydive Hawaii

How many years jumping: 24

Jumps: 8700

Breakdown of jumps: 1500 AFF Jumps; 600 Tandem Video; 1200 Freestyle; 5400 Freefly

What disciplines most into: I love the inclusivity of Freeflying, the discipline of 4-Way VFS, and the beauty and aesthetics of Freestyle

Container: Sun Path Javelin Odyssey

Main: PD Velocity 79

Reserve: PD 113

AAD: Cypres 2

Team achievements:
Several Freestyle US National Championships (1999-2003); Sugar Gliderz – first all female freefly team to compete on in Open at US Nationals (2001-2004)

Ratings: USPA AFF Instructor, Coach Course Director, Pro Rating

Record achievements:
Freefly (co-ed)– 42-way, 69-way, 108-way; Women Freefly – 16-Way, 18-way, 20-way; RW – 151-way (Jump for the Cause)

Claim to fame:
Founder of VFS; Daughter of the late Roger Nelson; former co-owner of Skydive Chicago; co-organizer of Women’s Vertical World Records; all around good skydiver who loves helping people learn. :)

Your thoughts on female skydivers:
I think women skydivers inspire other women skydivers, no matter the skill level. We have a way of being nurturing and inclusive that men can't offer to help each other along the way!

What sort of jumps do you want to organise at Skysisters:
Beginning group freefly (2-6 Ways), Big Way Freefly, tracking jumps.

What plans do you have for the girls:
To jump with and help as many ladies progress to their skydiving goals.

What message you want to get across to girls at Skysisters:
That we can achieve anything we want if we set our mind to it.

Any topics you particularly want to see covered:
Canopy Flying

What jumps do you personally want to do at Skysisters:
Me, Amy, and Macca for our 3rd boogie picture!! And some progressive skydiving for all skill levels in any orientation!

What do you want to achieve at Skysisters:
To inspire others to keep training after I leave and hopefully those girls will pass on their skills to the next girl.

 

Kate Rogers

Profile as at 2011

Home DZ: Picton

Years Jumping: 9+

Jump Number: 1,700

Breakdown of jumps:  Rel (from big – small / Coaching), Hybrids, CRW, AFF/Brel’s.

Discipline most into: 4way FS, Hybrids

Container: Talon

Mains: Crossfire 119

Reserves: Airforce 120

AADs: Cypres 2

Team achievements:
Fax League, Victorian League, State Championships and Nationals medals in 4way Inter, 4way Open, 8way Inter, 10way Speedstars, 16ways.

Record achievements:
- Australian Record 112way - Australian Record 109way - Australian Record 105way

Claims to fame:
The Man with the Golden Beanie, need I say more.

Thoughts on the female skydivers:
It is great to see so many strong females leading the way within their disciplines in the sport. It is from these women that others are getting inspired to take up the challenge – love it!

What sort of jumps do you want to organise at Skysisters:
4-ways, 8-ways, Hybrids

What plans do you have for the girls:
Lots of fun and laughter, oh and some hot 4/8 way skydives!

What message do you want to get across to the girls at Skysisters:
Anything is possible as long as you have a dream. Dream hard and Dream big!

Any seminars you want to run at Skysisters:
How to work as a team. Flying your slot.

Any topics you particularly want to see covered:
Flying in Big Ways, Canopy Control, Stretching, Health in Skydiving.

What jumps do you personally want to do at Skysisters:
Lots of them with some cool chicks! Oh and it would be awesome to build a 3 Tier Hybrid!

What do you want to achieve at Skysisters:
I want to see females become more confident in themselves both on the ground and whilst in the air as they are ripping it up!

Wish List:
That everyone comes away with some awesome memories of the fun they had, the people they met and the jumps with did at Skysisters!

 

Wendy (Kiwi) Smith

Profile as at 2007

Home Drop Zone: World - no fixed abode.

How many years jumping: 21 yrs

Jumps: 15,000+

Breakdown of jumps: International competition in multi disiplines since 1989,(competed for France, New Zealand, Canada)  half and half everything else and camera - professional cinematography - commercial cameraman.

What disciplines most into: Freefly, Wing, RW..

Containers: Jav's

Mains: PD.. 84V, 97 Sabre2, 97 Spectre for wingsuit

Reserves: PD 107's

AADs: VIGIL

Claim to fames:
First woman to test jump BAE 146 jet a/c,  first woman jumping super 16mm film and High Def cameras.  First to perform stunts in Skysurf tandem, triple tandem skydiving. Womans World record speed skydiving 2000 france, Emmy award winner, Guiness books, records. See resume from web site: www.wendysmithaerial.com

Your thoughts on female skydiving movement:
I like to give encouragement to woman skydivers, we can do anything when applied with perfection and love.

Your thoughts on female skydivers in general:
Awesome - most need a little confidence boost, as the larger % were instructed by dudes.

What sort of jumps will you or do you want to organise at Skysisters:
Everything!! But i do love freefly...

What plans do you have for the girls:
Heaps of info, fun, success in the air, photos to prove it.

What message you want to get across to girls at Skysisters:
We can dress for success, apply the way we are shown and do a wicked job, both in the air and on the ground.

Any topics you particularly want to see covered at Skysisters seminars:
How people are learning,  I mean the order in which they are being taught to do things can mean a lot about where you’re at...

What do you want to achieve at Skysisters:
New friends to share this passion with and to learn some new tricks for myself too!!

What you hope to see happen at Skysisters:
Good crew, good A/C, good team to work with.

Wish list:
Good weather, food, fun and a good bed.

Plus anything else you would like to add about jumping, female skydivers etc:
Bring out the Toys, bring along the costumes, make-up, etc.. anything you have always thought about, we'll try and make it happen.

 

Taya Weiss

Profile as at 2011

Home Drop Zone: Johannesburg Skydiving Club (South Africa)

How many years jumping: 10 yrs

Jumps: 2,500+

Breakdown of jumps:1,700 Wingsuit, 750 Freefly, 20 RW, 30 CRW, 1,500 camera, 1 accuracy (it’s a funny story, ask me), 20 demos, 5 balloon jumps.

What disciplines most into: Wingsuiting

Containers: Mirage Systems G4

Mains: Icarus Safire2 99

Reserves: PD 113

AADs: Cypres

Team achievements:
Project XRW, sustained canopy-wingsuit docks with the PD Factory Team (2010-11)

Record/Demo/Commercial achievements:
68-way US National Wingsuit Formation Record (2009), the largest officially judged wingsuit formation in the world T-Mobile Demo into San Francisco, flying wingsuits out past the Golden Gate Bridge and landing at the Marina, 2009 First XRW Demo, Abu Dhabi International Defense Expo, 2011

Claim to fames:
First woman to perform XRW, a sustained canopy-wingsuit dock. My XRW partner is Jessica Edgeington, the only woman on the PD Factory Team, so we got to represent two heavily male-dominated disciplines while doing some really badass stuff in the air. It was amazing. Organizer of the first unofficial wingsuit formation world record, a 71-way in 2008 Lead organizer of the US National Wingsuit Record 68-way, the largest officially judged wingsuit formation in the world Advisor to the IPC Wingsuit Working Group, trying to get wingsuiting onto the world stage for records and competition.

Your thoughts on female skydivers:
I would like for there to be more of us! I think mentorship and encouragement are the most important gifts we can give each other. When I had 40 or 50 jumps, I still couldn’t get my canopy into the bag when packing. Guys kept telling me, “just wrap your hand around it and stuff it in”, but one day I finally looked up and thought, “umm, my hands are not the same size as yours!” Finally, at the first ever Chicks Rock Boogie at Skydive Elsinore (2001), an awesome woman with thousands more jumps than me noticed me struggling and taught me her packing tricks. I still pack exactly the way she showed me, and it probably kept me in the sport.

What sort of jumps will you or do you want to organise at Skysisters:
Wingsuits! I am always excited to teach new wingsuiters. You just need 200 jumps in the last 18 months, a docile main canopy, and an appetite for horizontal speed.

What plans do you have for the girls:
Lots of flying, laughter in freefall, free demo wingsuits from TonySuits, and super-happy, chilled instruction for anyone who wants to fly with me.

What message you want to get across to girls at Skysisters:
The sky belongs to us, let’s enjoy it!

What do you want to achieve at Skysisters:
Badass wingsuit flocks, one-on-one and small group coaching, and anything fun – tracking, lingerie, dresses, you name it. I’m in. Meet new and awesome skydiving friends, and inspire some of them to keep wingsuiting so we can set a world record in 2012 that represents the spirit of Skysisters.

Wish list:
Safety, fun, laughter, kickass skydives, awesomeness.