Skydive Idaho receives recognition for setting 3 different state records for Canopy Formation, also know as CRW!
On the weeke
nd of July 9-10 of 2011, Skydive Idaho and organizer Rich Williams hosted a fantastic boogie benefiting the Boise Rescue Mission. During that boogie some local jumpers as well as visiting skydivers from California, Texas, and Oregon, set 3 state records! The records were a 7-way CRW Formation, a 2-point 7 Way Sequential Formation, and the nextday an 8-way CRW Formation breaking the record from the previous day!
Skydive Idaho is Idaho premiere skydiving center, and has been since 1967. We’re proud to continue hosting state records and all disciplines in skydiving. Congrats again Scott, Jack, Eric, Dan, Michael, Bart, “Aussie” Jon, and Abbie! Not only were the records set but many new jumpers were introduced to CRW with loaner canopies and instruction from the attending CRW-Dogs!
“Crew” is how we pronounce CRW which is short for Canopy Relative Work. CRW is the art of flying parachutes (Canopies) in close formation with each other, most of the time actually docking with and taking hold of each others parachutes. CRW can be performed by groups of 2 or more, with the current world record being 100 parachutes in a diamond formation. Although there are many technical aspects of flying the parachutes in close proximity to each other, the “art” is knowing how to not get your butt wrapped in Nylon.(Nylon is the material that all modern parachutes are made of).
If you’re interested in doing CRW, just ask!
The U.S. Parachute Association mourns the tragic loss of Ted Strong, one of the sport’s great pioneers. Ted started jumping in 1958; he was a competitor, coach and rigger-turned-innovator who formed Strong Enterprises in 1961 so that his friends might jump safely. Through the ’60s and ’70s, Ted helped lead the way in the transition from military surplus to modern sport equipment. In the ’80s, he helped pioneer what is arguably the single-most influential technological advancement in skydiving in 50 years–tandem jumping–which opened our sport to the general public and made it the thriving recreational industry it is today. Ted’s innovations carried over to the sport aviation community with comfortable, reliable emergency bailout rigs, as well as into the military market with numerous technological advancements. An innovator and visionary, Ted was awarded USPA’s Gold Medal for Meritorious Service in 2002, and in 2010, he was inducted into the first class of the National Skydiving Museum Hall of Fame. Those who knew him remember with affection his humility, a kind and generous spirit, and the infectious smile that lifted spirits wherever he went. Remarked USPA President Jay Stokes, “Skydiving has lost one of its greats, an influential pioneer who has made a lasting impact on the sport. We will all miss him greatly, but his legacy will not be forgotten.”