The incredible team at Lincoln Sport Parachute Club hosted its annual Redemption Boogie July 19-22 with Skydive Arizona’s Super Otter. Jumpers enjoyed the best weather in eight years, delicious food, cheap registration, even cheaper jump tickets, fun organizers and ridiculous nighttime activities, all on the grass strip at the DZ’s home in Weeping Water, Nebraska. For the previous 10 years, club members packed up the little Cessna DZ and held the boogie at nearby Plattsmouth Municipal Airport. However, extensive construction at Plattsmouth this year meant no room for camping, packing tents or the manifest trailer, so boogie-meistress Lori Bausch decided to hold the boogie at home. Though LSPC’s landing area seemed tight to those from larger drop zones (especially since the corn field was five feet from the pea pit), everyone agreed on a landing direction and stayed alert and safety conscious. Over the four days, jumpers made 1,500 skydives on 90 loads at the little DZ.
Many jumpers hit milestones during the boogie. Seth Ossefoort logged jump 100, a cube exit that blew up before the person giving the count left the door! Rebecca Rathbun celebrated jump 300 with a hybrid that became a bit of a zoo dive. On the next load, jumpers made it up to her and helped her execute a solid-flying hybrid formation. “Happy jump 301, Rebecca!” they said when she landed. Joe Iaccheri celebrated his 500th jump with a belly speed star and tracking dive. And Jeff Bogaard marked his 36th year of skydiving.
The prize pool was strong with gift certificates from Advanced Aerospace Designs, Aerodyne Research, Bev Suits, Cookie Helmets, Icarus World, Jason Peters, Rigging Innovations, SkyVenture Arizona, SSK Industries, United Parachute Technologies, Velocity Sports Equipment and Vertical Suits. Attendees enjoyed bonfire time, boogie beer, smoked-meat meals by barbecue smoker extraordinaire Duane Hansen, hot-water showers by starlight or sunlight and lots of games.
LSPC—which has been in operation for 59 years—welcomes jumpers of all experience levels to visit its DZ any time. The drop zone is special and has lots of love to give.
Chazi Blacksher | D-28539
Eloy, Arizona