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Recent posts on rigging forums have focused on one manufacturer's solution to keeping a collapsed slider at the base of the risers after opening without anchoring the slider to the container. Many jumpers have concerns about a number of slider holders that connect the slider to the top of the reserve container, which could potentially cause a cutaway delay.

When Team Method (Steve-O Utter, T.J. Landgren and Nate Gilbert) arrived at Atlanta Skydiving Center four years ago, the freefly team showed-off a new slider block design. Over the past few years, Chutingstar riggers have tweaked and modified the design for strength, durability and aesthetics.





For the last two years, we have made the slider blocks out of 1" Type IV square weave to match the riser color. The finished product is a 1.5-inch block of fabric sewn 2.25 inches from the base of the front riser. After the slider is collapsed, the jumper can use the kill lines to further tie-up and collapse the slider to reduce drag. The slider grommets are then brought below the slider blocks, which lock the grommets at the base of the main risers.

Riggers with materials and a sewing machine can make the blocks themselves.


Start with two 8-inch pieces of 1" Type IV.


Fold the 8-inch pieces in 5ths. Sew the blocks around the outside edge and X through the center. The finished length should be 1.5 inches.

Sew the top 1/2 inch of the block 2.25" from the base of the front riser. The block should be sewn on the backside of the front riser in a rectangle pattern with two passes. Make sure the needle is not blunted or scarred before sewing through your main risers.


When the rig is fully-packed, the slider blocks are completely hidden.


For those jumpers who like to have the middle of the slider stowed low behind their neck, a Velcro keeper can be used.


The keeper can be sewn or attached with Velcro to the top of the rig above the reserve container. The jumper must understand the potential of a cutaway delay after the slider is stowed. The jumper should make sure their canopy is in good condition for landing before stowing the slider in the Velcro keeper.



For more information on slider blocks and keepers, contact Chuting Star Rigging Loft at 770-749-9184.