Its finally back on&

LOCATION: Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center, Portland, Oregon.

COACH: Ron Piemonte. An accredited Olympic level diving coach. Ron is currently the most experienced diving coach at teaching aerials for the BASE environment. I will also be assisting in the training to provide the BASE perspective.

SLOTS: There are a maximum of 6 slots to ensure everybody gets personalized training. Hopefully there will be more workshops in the future to accommodate everyone who is interested.

DATE: 12 and 13th of May. This weekend was chosen as a precursor to the Memorial Day boogie at the Perrine Bridge (26th-28th May). I will be at the Memorial Day weekend to continue the coaching.

COST: Around $175 (cost not finalized yet) plus an annual membership fee of $50 to USA Diving (for insurance reasons). The fee is for Rons time and to cover the pool and indoor training facility expenses. My contribution is for free (but Ill accept pack jobs at the Memorial Day weekend as a gratuity).

Two full intensive days training using dryland (gymnastic) and pool facilities:
Dryland training
- Diving board and fixed platform over foam mat, floor level trampoline. Use of suspension belts to minimize injury.
Pool training:
- Diving boards (1 and 3 meter) and platforms (5, 7.5 and 10 meter). Use of bubble machine to minimize pain.

Suspension belt training will be used extensively over the two days with pool diving to re-enforce technique. Suspension belt training can be performed from a platform whilst wearing a BASE rig and full protective gear. This helps to closely simulate an actual BASE exit.

Training will be personalized dependent on current skill levels and goals. As expected, minimizing risk will be the primary focus of the training. This means the following elements will be extensively focussed on (not just the action of performing the actual aerial); spatial awareness, achieving planned delay, timing, height awareness, stability on deployment, obtaining on-heading openings and dangers specific to each individual aerial.

All levels of BASE jumpers will benefit from attending; from the beginner who wants to learn recovery technique from a bad exit, to the advanced aerialist wanting to perfect current technique or go to the next level.

An example of what would be taught to somebody with no or minimal aerial experience would be:
- Principles of launching and somersaulting into backward rotations (reverse/gainers and backs) and forward rotations (fronts and inwards).
- Maintaining spatial orientation during multiple rotations.
- Tuck, pike and layout positions.
- Twisting techniques.
- Timing when to kick out of rotation(s) and deploy.

At the completion of the indoor aerial workshop and a follow up weekend at the Perrine Bridge, experienced BASE participants may feel comfortable doing the following slider down aerials in BASE:
- Single Reverse somersault (gainer) in tuck, pike and layout position.
- Double Reverse somersaults.
- Exit on back, roll over face to earth and be stable for deployment.

Also, depending on speed of advancement, existing skills and comfort level in BASE, the following aerials may also be feasible for some participants:
- Front somersaults
- Single and double back somersaults
-Triple Reverse somersaults
- Front Somersault, half twist, back somersault.

At the very least participants will have a much greater chance of surviving a bad situation in BASE freefall such as being severely head low or stuck on their back (which may result from a bad exit or a mid air collision with another jumper). Body awareness and symmetry should also improve and subsequently on-heading performance. Therefore even those with no desire to perform aerials in the BASE environment should benefit from this training.

In summary if you ever find yourself in a situation such as on your back, head towards the wall with impact only a few seconds away, then if you have done this training you will have a much higher chance of surviving.

Send me an email if you are interested in attending.

Dwain Weston
Email: Dwain1@usa.com