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It has been an exciting year in 4-way formation skydiving as more than 200 teams have participated in at least one regional meet of the National Skydiving League. This year the NSL successfully introduced four divisions for 4-way competitions that help teams follow a progression from beginner to pro. For 4-way junkies, DeLand Majik recently posted a 23.1 meet average over 10 rounds topping Arizona Airspeed’s “Vertical” team, the reining National Champions, and the French posted a world record 42 points in 35 seconds at a recent meet. But in Georgia, participation is dwindling. Eight teams competed in two or more meets in 1997, Georgia Skydiving League’s inaugural year. By 2001, that number dropped to six. And this year, a dismal four teams competed in two or more meets. Only six skydivers from the original 50 in 1997 are still actively competing in the GSL. So where has the league gone wrong since those first four years where no less than seven teams competed in two or more meets? I see it as a lack of advertising on the part of the league, drop zones and teams. Also, only two of the four Georgia drop zones are developing new 4-way teams every year. Most new skydivers aren’t told how to get involved and believe the league isn’t open to them. And the “superior” attitude of some team members seems to be a turnoff for those wanting to get involved. So what can we do? Drop zones and established teams need to hold beginner 4-way camps to help draw new skydivers to 4-way. Better advertising of the league and meet dates along with a “how to start a team” section on the league’s web site. And team members should be the friendliest, most inclusive people on the DZ, showing, teaching and demonstrating the fun, excitement and skills of 4-way skydiving. And then will we see a resurgence in Georgia 4-way skydiving.

After 2800 jumps (about equally divided between 4-way and tandems along with a handful of sitfly jumps), I’m finally learning how to track...from a freeflyer. I have always been able to get far enough away from other skydivers at the end of a skydive (if not horizontally, than vertically...oops). And we’ve always joked when the video has shown one of us in a steep, almost head down track at the end of a skydive. But I didn’t realize just how steep my track was...and how flat I was unable to make it...until I went on a tracking dive with a bunch a freeflyers a few months ago. Our resident freefly team at Atlanta Skydiving Center, Team Method, seems to put together at least one tracking dive a week. And on the aforementioned fateful weekend, I decided to join. Being a “veteran” belly flyer, I didn’t think I’d have a problem keeping up with them since I get at least 6 seconds of tracking practice every skydive. Well, I stayed with the group for about 10 seconds out the door, but soon after that I was dropping lower and quickly falling way behind. I couldn’t believe how far they were getting ahead and how low I was dropping...and nothing in my bag of tracking tricks seemed to make a difference. I learned later that day just how much energy and effort these freeflyers put into tracking and have totally changed my tracking technique from their advice and demonstrations. The most drastic change I learned from TJ and Nate of Team Method was to rotate your palms upward so your shoulders naturally roll forward and cup more air. I’m also cupping more air with my entire body and keeping my head lower. Just last weekend my practice started paying off as I was able to stay close to TJ until breakoff time, but then he really turned it on for all he was worth and took off...so I still have more work to do. So join the freeflyers and belly flyers on a tracking dive and learn a bit about flat tracking. It’s a blast and beautiful at sunset.