ISM Canopy Piloting Series Ends On A High Note. Foley crowned inaugural series champion.

After several weather delays and scheduling conflicts, the inaugural ISM Canopy Piloting Series wrapped up it's season at Skydive Elsinore and it was worth the wait!  The competition was fast and furious as the competitors went for the event win but also for the series championship. The Chamber of Commerce day saw the 14 competitors put on quite a show for the spectators including a few "close call" moments in which no one was seriously hurt (except for their pride!)  The surprise of the day came when ISM team member Paul Rodriguez, who was competing for the first time in the canopy series, grabbed  second place honors just ahead of James Brinkman. But when the day was over, the man on the top step of the podium was Shawn Foley who took the day's honors and also the series title. 

Congratulations to all the competitors for putting on a show that we won't soon forget!  And thanks Bart for all the time and energy you've put into the series.  All the hard work paid off!! Can't wait til it's "Wheels Up" again!!

                                    

Ah, the glory of being the series promoter.  Here's Bart
setting the course on the 39 degree morning...in the
water!

The course ready for action. Talk about perfect
conditions....

Bart giving the morning briefing.

Dave Hawley during the speed competition.  We'll
see more of Dave later.

How do they get some of those awesome shots that
you see in magazines?  Here's Amanda Burgess of
Amanda Burgess Photography showing you how.
(yes, that IS one of the course markers!)

A little too low and you skip off the water like stone...

A little TOO low and you don't skip quite as well.  Here
Dave Hawley hits really hard.

...and skips right out of the pond.  He hit the water in excess
of 70mph.

...this can't be good.

...not exactly how Dave wanted to land.  The bad news, Dave
had to withdraw from the competition.  The good news,
he walked away...slowly...but he walked away. 

Bart making some adjustments to the course.



You see a lot of different styles coming across the water.
This might not be the most efficient way of doing it.



Paul Rodriguez making it look easy during the accuracy
portion of the competition.  Remember, he has to drag
his foot past each of the buoys to score the maximum
points on his run.

All the flags up means he got them all.  Way to go, Paul!

And here's still another way to cross the pond.  It
looks like he's hoping just to make it OUT of the
pond!

Paul Rodriguez and James Brinkman fought hard all day
for 2nd and 3rd place honors.

Bart wearing his "scoring official" hat.

I don't think that this was in the flight plan...

Dave Hawley hung out the entire day to help out with
the event.  Now that's one tough competitor!  After the hit he
took, most people would be in bed for a week!

When it was all said and done, Sean Foley (r) took
home the overall series win with Scott Harper a
close 2nd.  Congratulations to all the fliers who made
the ISM series such a success.  Can't wait til we do
it all over again!!

Davis Crushes Competition At Santa Anita 5K. Tune up race has Margaret Davis running "on all 8 cylinders!"

We've all gotten the call or we know someone who has.  Grandma or grandpa fell and broke his or her hip, arm, leg or some other body part.  And that many times starts them down a path that is not so pleasant.  When we got the call a few months ago that 88 year old great grandma "Mahgy" had fallen and broken her leg we weren't sure what to think.  It didn't take long, however, for us to figure it out.  Margaret Davis and her daughter and running partner, Colleen Heublein, were scheduled to run the 2011 Boston Marathon in April.  They had been INVITED to run given Margaret's numerous marathon victories and were just beginning their training for the big event when she fell.  When the Boston officials were notified of the accident, they were saddened and immediately extended the invitation to 2012. Which could mean only one thing....a rehab training schedule and a comeback race.  And comeback she did!  We're not sure she ever left!! On a beautiful Saturday morning at the Santa Anita Race Track, Mahgy smoked the competition just like she's been doing since she began running competitively at age 79. To celebrate her return to racing, granddaughter Kristy Roblee, her husband Mike and their son Dane also ran with Mahgy and Colleen. It was a family affair all the way!  Congratulations Mahgy and Colleen, marathon racing's "Dynamic Duo!!!"

Mahgy and Colleen getting ready for the start...going
through their normal routine.

                                            
                               

A little early for Dane and Ryan but they were troopers!

....it doesn't get much better than this.

Check out the runner on the left.  You won't see this at
very many races!

At the finish!!!  Chalk up another win! Incredible!

"High Fives" all around.  Great race you guys!

A hug from sister Debbie and a sigh of relief!

Mike ran career best numbers and finished well.
Nice job, Mikey!

The peanut gallery cheering Mike on at the finish.

Kristy wasn't far behind and finished with a sprint!

Finally, the big moment had arrived.  Dane's race!!

It's not exactly "Where's Waldo?" when you're trying
to spot Dane.  He's the one that's a "redhead" taller
than all the other kids.

After a hard race it's time for a little snack with dad.

Dane showing Mernie his medal after his race.

"NUMBER ONE!"

"...and the winner is...Margaret Davis!"

Not many great grandmothers and great grandsons
get to run races together.  Dane, you're a lucky boy.
Actually, we're all lucky to be a part of your life, Mahgy.
Thanks for dragging us along!!

Ryan, it won't be long but you'll just have to wait your turn!

PATRICK JAMES McGOWAN....you will be missed.

Pat McGowan was one of those rare individuals who not only excelled in the sport that he loved, but more importantly, he excelled in life.  When the word came to us that Pat had been killed in a skydiving accident, the Perris Valley drop zone and skydiving community was frozen in disbelief.  Friend and fellow instructor Christopher David Stasky also died as a result of their low level collision last Thursday, March 31st.

When you first visited the Perris Valley drop zone it wasn't long before you heard one of two names; drop zone manager Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld or Pat McGowan.  When our daughter, Kimberly, walked into the office at Perris for her first class towards her AFF Certification, she didn't have any idea who he was.  It didn't take long for her to realize, however, that this was someone who not only taught students about skydiving, but also about life. Pat was the master of taking the experience of skydiving and applying it to our every day lives.  His passion for his sport was only exceeded by his passion for his life as a husband and a father.  As an instructor, many would use "TMI" to describe Pat's method of teaching..."Too Much Information." He worked extremely hard and did his best to make sure his students were prepared to "save their own lives."  He had done it in his life over 17,000 times!  Pat was all about safety in every aspect of the sport and always stood his ground, even if it meant causing a stir or bucking the system.  As Kim's parents we WELCOMED this method of instruction, and also enjoyed the life lessons that he would share with her almost every time they were together. Pat McGowan lived each day to the fullest; his life accounts were current.  It is hard to put into words what his loss means to all who knew him...it is nearly impossible to think about his wife, Blue, and their children, Rose (8) and James (5).  Pat touched thousands of lives in his 42 years on this earth.  Many of us will continue to feel that touch for as long as we are here.  "Blue Skies, Pat."

A memorial fund has been set up for Pat''s family.  Should you wish to make a donation, please make your check payable to: Blue McGowan-Skydive Perris c/o Manifest-Pat McGowan Memorial Fund   2091 Goetz Road    Perris, Ca.  92570

Pat was an animated teacher and made each class
a lot of fun as well as being informative.

No stoned was left unturned when it came to safety.

....Pat had a sense of humor, too.

Pat's ability to take skydiving and apply it to every day
life was masterful.

...think he'd done this a few times?  Like over
17,000 times!!

Kimberly celebrates her first wind tunnel
experience with Pat.  You would have thought
it was his first time also!

How many first jumps did he make with students?  No one
really knows for sure.

Did we mention he was animated?
Debriefing after a jump was always fun with Pat.

One of our favorite pictures...Pat, Kimberly and drop zone
manager Dan B-C. Kim was on her way to getting her
"A" license when the boys stopped her for a photo opp.

PATRICK  JAMES  McGOWAN
As another friend who also left us much to early once said:
"Not here for a long time...here for a good time."
Husband   Father   Friend   Coach   Instructor
"Blue Skies"