BigWay Skills Camp 2023
No stress. No blame.
Learn bigway the right way.
Fri 26th - Mon 29th May 2023
Skydive Pink Klatovy, Czech Republic
Thurs 25th May - Arrival and warm up day - heavily recommended. Free Load Organising.
Weds 24th May - Bigway Skills tunnel mini-camps in Prague
60 slots. First come. First served.
"It's the best skydiving holiday ever developed by true lovers of the sport" - Gareth Corfield
BigWay Skills Camp 2023
The best entertainment and education per skydive.
🪂 THE BASICS
🪂 WHO SHOULD BE DOING THIS CAMP
🪂 WHO SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS CAMP
🪂 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
At the start of the event you must have:
50 jumps experience after you have done a proficient 4way skydive (4 points or more). The assumption is that this is at least 75 jumps in total.
Minimum 15 jumps in 3 months preceding this event, ie between 27th Feb - 26th May
Minimum 2hrs tunnel total of which at least 1hr in the 3 months preceding this event, eg 27th Feb - 26th May.
Practice Jump requirements:
Please practice your tracking. Get used to tracking next to someone for a few seconds before fanning out and separating.
Suggest you try this on at least two jumps ahead of the camp.
Plan and jump a normal FS jump, 2 or 3 way. At 7k, turn and fly as a tracking team. Fan out at 5k, and deploy at 4. These altitudes are just a suggestion, feel free to modify them to make them more appropriate for your jump.
NOTE: C licence (200 jumps logged in your logbook) required to jump from high altitude with O2 and to jump the balloons. If you're close, make it happen.
🪂 HOW TO RESERVE YOUR SLOT
1) Read this website.
2) Pay the reg fee. Details in the reg form or available by email.
3) Fill in the reg form.
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(scroll down this website to see the list of confirmed attendees - once registration is open, obviously)
🪂 THE PLAN
Day 1 plan is to do 10-12ways (internal camera on one group).
To get the best results we need to build a strong foundation. A few of you might think progress is too slow on day one but the benefits will show later in the camp. Perhaps one O2 jump for people with >200 jumps.
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Day 2. If we can do multi-plane, we will.
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Days 3 and 4 are planned to be multi-plane. 10 from each plane. Perhaps 2x O2 jumps from increased altitude on Day4.
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Nominally 5 jumps per day but we'll flex if weather requires it. Option of a 'special' 6th jump on one evening. See below.
🪂 REGISTRATION FEE
NO CHANGE FOR 2023.
Sliding Scale. The bigway FS scene is ageing. To encourage younger skydivers to join we're using a sliding scale.
Credit card options exist in the registration form. Bank transfer saves 1.4% card handling fee. Euro bank account details exist too.
The reg fee covers your LO and cameraflyer costs for 5 jumps per day for 4 days.
PS The sliding scale seems to work so happy to keep it for a 6th year. Would love to hear your feedback.
PPS The credit card company takes 20p and 1.4% from every card transaction. After feedback from participants on previous events, I have included a voluntary option to cover the 1.4%. This is totally optional and not expected at all.
PPPS if a simple thing like money is the only thing stopping you from registering... speak to me. We might be able to find a flexible solution. I just want people to jump.
🪂 SAFETY
We all want to come home in one piece...
🪂 EDUCATION
You don't need experience of doing these though, that's what this camp is for. If we don't make a single completion BUT everyone comes back confident they've got the skills to nail a bigway formation record AND we're all smiling? That would be just perfect.
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But obvs... I'd love some cool photos too. That's what facebook is for, right?
🪂 THE SKY(VAN) IS THE LIMIT
The DZ have confirmed that there will be two skyvans on the DZ.
Jump tickets at Klatovy are EUR39.50 each. (price correct as of May 2022)
The planes are equipped with O2 and can go to FL20. Single plane 02 jumps are marginally more likely than multi-plane 02 jumps.
The costs are:
4200m / 13,800 ft AGL is EUR 39.50 (No O2 required)
4800m / 15,750 ft AGL is EUR 45
5200m / 17,100 ft AGL is EUR 56
6000m / FL20 / 19,700 ft AGL is EUR 64
Klatovy is about 1k ASL so we'd get 1k less than stated numbers. ie if we're going to do it, we're going all in. To the top. Well, at least once anyway.
🪂 THE BALLOON IS THE LIMIT
The DZ owns two hot air balloons. Two! All jumpable. Approx EUR 106 per jump. They fly every morning and evening if the conditions allow. It's recommended and we'll flex where we can to allow you to jump these.
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And no, I've never heard of a multi-balloon jump either.
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C licence is required or a logbook showing 200 jumps.
🪂 INNHOPP
🪂 TRAVEL TO CZECHIA & ACCOM
🪂 FUN
I'll be LO for some chilled warm up jumps the day before. My current plan is to fly out on Wednesday morning. Hit the tunnel Wednesday afternoon, evening and Thurs morning and jump on the Thursday afternoon. Feel free to join me. Or do your own thing. I'll be on a lift Thursday afternoon and will do 3-4 jumps as quickly as I can and then I'll be stopping to catch my breath before the camp starts.
After the event there's often a boogie fun jump day - Wingsuit rodeos, freefly, big big star formations. Anything goes. This year the DZ is currently planned to be shut Tues 30th May however. If they have a plane, they will let us know.
🪂 TSHIRTS
Event tshirts are notoriously hard to get right. I don't do them. I am happy to assist and guide someone else sorting them though.
2018 - event tshirts were crowd sourced. John Horne was 'the man'. He designed them and found a manufacturer.
2019 - The legends of Sun Path Products subsidised the event tshirts - it was a one off. Shirts supplied by Manufactory. Approx USD 70 per shirt. Wow. Amazing. Jemma Westing was the designer to rule all designers.
2020 & 2021 - hahahaha.
2022 - we did them and it wasn't a total nightmare. But later event tshirts were.
2023 - I'm still suffering the after effects from tshirts in 2022! A long story. I don't do tshirts. If you want to make it happen, please be my guest. I'm happy to advise, I've made enough mistakes, I feel like an expert. Thank you.
🪂 Small Print
E&OE. Registration fee is your deposit and secures your place. Non-refundable but can be swapped if you find someone to take your place - I will help as best I can. By coming on this trip you are confirming that with appropriate training and encouragement you will be able to safely fly 20-22ways. We will do our very best to help you. However, if you're unable to fly in 20-22ways safely; your approach is uncontrolled, your tracking is inefficient or your canopy control is reckless, or maybe you're just having a bad day, at some point you will be asked to stand down from the group.
- Places are limited. We need at least 20 to go ahead. Although we'd be aiming for 40, as in 2019, 2020 and 2021. 2022 the camp was 96ppl but this was a handful.
- If your Govt, or the Czech Govt forbids you from travelling there would be a 100% refund.
- If the Czech Govt requires a period of quarantine on entry, then there would be a 100% refund.
- If your Govt allows you to travel but recommends against it for all but 'essential reasons' there would be a 100% refund.
- If your Govt allows you to travel without an essential reason (eg holidays) but imposes restrictions, eg a period of quarantine, then this would be your responsibility.
- Deposits are non-refundable (with the above exceptions) but is transferable. I'd do everything I can to help you find a replacement.
In 2020, some Czech events weren't able to be held but the planes were able to fly to Cottbus in Southern Germany. I'm told their landing area is even larger. I'd be surprised if we have to consider this but it's not a long drive from Klatovy, a couple of hours so flights wouldn't need changing. All good skydivers have a plan B.
Everything here is reported as I've been told. Be aware though that planes can break. Fuel prices can go up. Weather can be a disappointment. Balloons can be taken out by a bird with a sharp beak. DZOs can offer to pay for a 3rd plane to carry one skydiver to altitude solely to get outside video (true story) or they can change their minds. Volcanoes, earthquakes, locust swarms, meteor strikes, black holes, zombie hordes and virus pandemics all happen. Brian is not responsible. Blah blah blah. :-)
How do I get a place?
Did I mention this was first come first served?
STEP ONE
Read this website. Be happy with the contents. It has all the information you need. (If it doesn't, email me and I'll make sure it gets listed).
STEP TWO
Pay the reg fee. It's on a sliding scale in an effort to encourage younger skydivers into the Bigway FS scene.
The payment details are in the Registration form or are available by email. I'm not sure how sensible it is to post bank account details on a website.
Reg fee covers LO and cameraflyer costs for five jumps per day for four days. I am a full time skydiver so I do need to earn something per day, I hope you understand. This is not planned to be a profit-gouging event, registration is still pretty reasonable and bigway event costs are notoriously unpredictable. My 3yo daughter thanks you. x
STEP THREE
Fill in this registration form... click any of the buttons on this website. :-)
Big Way Skills Camp 2022 and past events
Big Way Skills Camp 2022 - Paul Rimmington edit
May 2022
Skydive Pink, Klatovy, Czech Republic. 96 skydivers travelled from across Europe to jump.
Video by Paul Rimmington
Big Way Skills Camp 2022 - Amber Ruxton edit
May 2022
Skydive Pink, Klatovy, Czech Republic. 96 skydivers travelled from across Europe to jump.
Video by Amber Ruxton
Big Way Skills Camp 2022 - Alex Potter edit
May 2022
Skydive Pink, Klatovy, Czech Republic. 96 skydivers travelled from across Europe to jump.
Video by Alex Potter Photography
BigWay Skills Camp 2020 - Martin Skrbel edit
July 2020
Skydive Pink, Klatovy, Czech Republic. 48 skydivers travelled from around Europe to jump.
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Video by Martin Skrbel
BigWay Skills Camp 2020 - Emily Aucutt edit
July 2020
Skydive Pink, Klatovy, Czech Republic. 48 skydivers travelled from around Europe to jump.
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Video by Emily Aucutt
BigWay Skills Camp 2019 - Paul Rimmington edit
May 2019
BigWay Camp was at Skydive Pink Klatovy in Czech Republic. 46 skydivers travelled from UK and Ireland to jump.
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Video by Paul Rimmington
BigWay Camp 2019 - Tom Shorten edit
May 2019
BigWay Camp was at Skydive Pink Klatovy in Czech Republic. 46 skydivers travelled from UK and Ireland to jump.
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Video by Tom Shorten
BigWay Camp 2018 - Paul Rimmington edit
May 2018
BigWay Camp was at Skydive Pink Klatovy in Czech Republic. 22 skydivers travelled from UK and Ireland to jump.
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Video by Paul Rimmington
BigWay Fun 2017 - 45ways
BigWay Fun 2017 was at Skydive Pink Klatovy in Czech Republic. 45 skydivers travelled from across Northern Europe to jump. Don't expect the same standard of skydiving at the camp. Camps are for learning and training. This is a no stress, no blame camp for learning.
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And yes, I'm biased, but this is my most favourite event video ever. Credit: Dan Girdea
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Paul - the gauntlet has been laid. ;-)
What does Brian know anyway?
Sept 2015
World Record 2 point 202way formation. This photo shows the intermediary photo between the two points. Taken over Skydive Perris. Photo by Willy Boeykens
202way Sequential World Record - My PoV
I was late diver on a trail plane on a nine plane formation. This is my footage. Can you see the quadrant, the radial, the stadium and the tracking teams?
BigWay Beginners - Nethers, Langar & Hib
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BWB has been running since Caroline Hughes and Skydive Choreography came up with the concept. We teach the basics in a no blame environment whilst providing testing slots for intermediate and experienced skydivers at the same time. BWB has run at Nethers, Langar and Hibaldstow in the past. If you know a DZ that offers a multi-plane experience in 2020, we'd love to know. This photo taken over Hib. Photo by Jon Trevor.
Chasing Tails 28way team - Hib
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Chasing Tails competed in the Hib 28way competition from inception to 2013. Brian was captain in 2011 (1st place) and 2013 (2nd place). Photo by Matt Black.
Testimonials
96ppl, four groups
Rated 4.8/5 from 56 reviews
48 ppl, two groups.
Rated 4.8/5 from 31 reviews
46 ppl, two groups.
Rated 4.7/5 from 32 reviews
23 ppl, one group.
Rated 4.8/5 from 22 reviews
2023
It's simply not possible for the 2023 event to be more special than we had in the last few years. Expect a good event where you will learn loads. If BWSC22 is hyped too much so that you're expecting the best skydiving event ever, then if you only get a very good event, then it may be a disappointment.
Holy crap, the pressure is on! ;-)
Copyright 2020