Santa Needs No Reindeer When He's Got His (Airboard, Bodyboard, Riverboard, Wingsuit...)

A collection of photos snapped of Santa caught in the act - cheating on his reindeer for some quality time with adrenaline at face level! If you have more, feel free to send them over. :)

 

 

Introducing The Newest CORE Team FLI Athlete - Jennifer Dembinski, Wingsuit Flyer & Scuba Diver

Face Level has a new CORE Team FLI Athlete for 2010!

Her name is Jennifer Dembinski (you can call her Jen), and she is a wingsuit flyer and scuba diver based in Olso, Norway.

Jen is a wonderfully eclectic mix of many interests and accomplishments, so she is going to fit in great with the current cast of characters!

Besides her experience in outdoor sports, and two primary face level sports, Jen has been published in numerous scientific publications and she is even credited as part of two separate patents involving stem cells and cancer cells.

She has quite the impressive resume in a variety of industries.

Here's a sampling: Jen has over 1000 skydiving jumps and over 200 BASE jumps. She's been part of a record setting wingsuit formation, and has competed against the world's best wingsuit pilots at the World Base Race. She got her open water SCUBA certification - in a drysuit - in Norway, and her advanced open water certification in Egypt. I have seen proof that she's ridden a camel (although not at face level). She once was a fashion model. She has tattoos, dreads (affectionately referred to as "noodles")...and a Ph.D in Virology & Gene Therapy.

Yes, you read all that correctly.

Jen's enthusiasm for her sports and life pursuits shine through in every conversation, and we're certain that you will enjoy her engaging personality, humor, and stories from the field.

Stop by her page on TeamFLI.com and say hello, and look for her featured exploits and adventures in 2010!

You can find a more detailed resume, pictures, and video at FaceLevel.com/Jen. We are excited to have Jen as a part of Face Level and are looking forward to great things from her in the coming year.

New US Wingsuit Formation Record - Media and Pictures

Check out the pictures and story on last week's US record for wingsuit flying formation, at 68 pilots. The article incorrectly states that it is a world record, when in fact that was set previously with 71 pilots.

http://www.myvalleynews.com/story/42140/

Wingsuit Flyer Ueli Gegenschatz Remembered

Source: FlyLikeABrick.com

After initial reports about Ueli Gegenschatz being seriously hurt, due to a public basejumping demo gone bad, we are sorry to report that the injuries sustained have ended up costing him his life.

Everyone who knew him always spoke kindly on his lack of a big ego, upbeat attitude and how nice and accesable a person he was. And looking back at his career in BASEjumping, he has the most impressive resume one could ask for.

Several local news websites reported on his accident, and slowly the mainstream media is catching onto the news of his passing.

videoportal.sf.tv (CH)
blick.ch (CH)
blick.ch (CH)
20min.ch (CH)
tagesanzeiger.ch (CH)
tagesanzeiger.ch (CH)
tsr.ch (FR)




Ueli was quite a famous person in wingsuit flying and BASE, and over the years has done many amazing flights and media promotion for both himself and the sport. For those who dont know him that well, here is a brief selection of articles and media mentions on Ueli:

TED Talk Ueli talking about his sport, and the urge to fly
World Base Race - Interview & promotional item
Red Bull AirRace Barcelona - 2009 Wingsuit demo
Wingsuit Flyer Faster than Speeding Plane - Wingsuit vs Airplane race
TV item - Interview and footage
Ride the Planets - wingsuit flying

Source: FlyLikeABrick.com

After initial reports about Ueli Gegenschatz being seriously hurt, due to a public basejumping demo gone bad, we are sorry to report that the injuries sustained have ended up costing him his life.

Everyone who knew him always spoke kindly on his lack of a big ego, upbeat attitude and how nice and accesable a person he was. And looking back at his career in BASEjumping, he has the most impressive resume one could ask for.

Several local news websites reported on his accident, and slowly the mainstream media is catching onto the news of his passing.

videoportal.sf.tv (CH)
blick.ch (CH)
blick.ch (CH)
20min.ch (CH)
tagesanzeiger.ch (CH)
tagesanzeiger.ch (CH)
tsr.ch (FR)




Ueli was quite a famous person in wingsuit flying and BASE, and over the years has done many amazing flights and media promotion for both himself and the sport. For those who dont know him that well, here is a brief selection of articles and media mentions on Ueli:

TED Talk Ueli talking about his sport, and the urge to fly
World Base Race - Interview & promotional item
Red Bull AirRace Barcelona - 2009 Wingsuit demo
Wingsuit Flyer Faster than Speeding Plane - Wingsuit vs Airplane race
TV item - Interview and footage
Ride the Planets - wingsuit flying

Wingsuit Proximity Flying and Shadowplay

Cool wingsuit flying compilation video from Norway highlighting the 2009 season.

Wingsuit Proximity Flying In Norway - Bispen

Proximity flying is the craziest, most dangerous flying a wingsuit pilot can do. Check out this video from one of the most popular spots in Norway - cliff buzzing!

Tribute on Steve Harrington, Wingsuit Flyer Who Died In California This Week

from FlockUniversity.org:
Requiem for a Wingsuiter

On November 11, 2009, the wingsuiting community lost one of its greatest and most unsung contributors. Earlier in the day, Steve Harrington had joined with dozens of other wingsuiters to set the US record for largest flock: a 68-way slot perfect design. On the last load of the day – a fun jump to celebrate that success – tragedy occurred when he struck the tail of the aircraft on exit.

Steve started skydiving in 1991, when he first went through AFF on a whim with his twin brother. Steve continued on in the skydiving world, when his twin drifted out of the sport. Despite his love for jumping, over time, his skydiving started to decrease. “I hadn’t made a lot of jumps in the preceding five or six years due to work commitments, recovery from a skiing accident, buying new home, and getting married,” he once remarked. All that turned around when he discovered wingsuiting. “Wingsuiting made me realize what I was missing; it just made me feel alive again,” he said. Steve co-founded Flock University because he loved wingsuiting and wanted to share that love and enthusiasm with other skydivers. That effort was just another manifestation of his quiet and unassuming – but consistently friendly and positive – manner. He was “one of those jumpers that you looked forward to seeing on the plane every time,” a friend wrote. “He always had a warm smile, welcoming attitude, and a keen eye for jumper safety.”

Steve was a trailblazer both in the sky and in his personal life. Steve married his partner, Adam, in one of the first same-sex marriages conducted following its legalization in Massachusetts. “My spouse is now in medical school – I guess that makes us a ‘power couple’ – a doctor and business professional”, Steve once joked.

He often remarked that skydiving has made him a more “complete” and “confident” person. “Friends at work always ask me about recent jumps and travels,” he once said. “They say their lives are boring in comparison, and they’re jealous... But they also say they are jealous that I am not tied down to a nagging wife,” he added with a smile.

A friend wrote, “Steve was always in a good mood, always positive – he lived his life the way he wanted to. He was a true and genuine human being. He was part of the reason we had so much fun jumping our wingsuits.” Another commented, “He touched many lives... We are all truly honored who got to share the air with him. He will not be forgotten...”

All of us at Flock University mourn Steve’s loss, and we all extend our deep condolences to Adam and Steve’s family.

Blue Skies, Steve... Fly free.




Steven Harrington (November 25, 1968 to November 11, 2009).

More Video Goodness - New Wingsuit Flying Movie Trailer

Check out this trailer for a new wingsuit flying movie called Kick-Ass. Wingsuit Flying has officially become the biggest new sport in the world, I think...

Kick-Ass

Trailer Park | MySpace Video

Shane McConkey Video Tribute

A great video remembering the life of Shane McConkey.

Middle Aged Couple Breaking Records and Wingsuit Flying To The Ends of The Earth

There's a really interesting story of a couple in their late 40's who were "normal", corporate people with the normal, 4 kids and a dog life.

Then they decided to start hucking themselves off of mountains and cliffs to fly like birds.

Now they are world record holders.

Story from the Mail Online here and The Sun here.