|
I just got an announcement from a friend about the 6th World Pops Meet, so I thought I'd forward it out and spread the word.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL TOP POPS AND OTHER POPS MEMBERS:
Subject: 6th World POPS Meet 2002.
Introduction:
It seems that every time this event takes place, each is as successful = as the one before if not more so, and the venue becomes more exotic as = the years go by. The very first World Meet was convened in Australia = in 1990. Long time ago you might say, Ok,we all have our point of = view. A very large number of POPS skydivers attended that meet and it = is as fresh in their minds as if it were yesterday. Since then we have = trolled the world meeting in the United States, Canada, Spain and = Jordan. The principle has always been that at least two years would = pass between meets and the next will take place two years and five = months from the date of the last meet at Chilliwack, Canada which was = September 1999. The venue will be in New Zealand whose POPS society = have presented us with a not to be missed opportunity. So, ten years = on we are back once more close to the Pacific rim. Read on:
Date and Location: =20
Opening ceremony and final registrations Sunday 3rd March, competition = opens 4th March and runs to Saturday 9th March 2002. Fun jumps can = continue on Sunday 10th March. See a more detailed agenda below. There = will, in fact, be a local meet held from 27th February to 2nd March , = also the international 4 way NZ team elimination event will be underway = during this period. The choice is yours in the sense that as long as = you are there and registered (prior registration by mail or through the = web) by 3rd March you can enjoy the facilities before and following the = POPS meet. The date has been carefully reviewed and strongly = recommended by our New Zealnd friends as being the very best time of = year when the weather can be guaranteed.=20
New Zealand should not be too hard for you to find now should it? = Matamata, North Island is a fully serviced and council maintained World = War Two grass air strip used by bombers during that era. It includes a = vector and main runway, and is five minutes drive from Matamata = Township. The local population numbers 11,500 and can be found = approximately 150km south of Auckland City or 1.5 hours drive from the = international airport.=20
Web Site: A special web page has been created for this event by New Zealand POPS, = what will they think of next!! If you are on line then access this = site through <http//www.pops.co.nz> This site carries a great deal = of news and information from the event itself to accommodation and = other activities. However, the purpose of this message is to give you = the overall profile so that you can encourage your members to begin = NOW! That is to say, that these events do not just suddenly happen. A = number of very nice people are undertaking a great deal of work to = offer us a great meet and holiday combined. They need the same sense of = commitment from us which means registration at the earliest possible = moment. We have eighteen months ahead but it will soon disappear and = their commitment has already begun.
DZ Facilities:
Because this is a well used Aero, Glider and Parachute Centre, there = are a number of well maintained buildings. There will be aircraft = events leading right up to the local meet which begins 27th February = 2002 and followed by our own. I will shortly E Mail you a copy of the = photographs mailed me by the organisers. The DZ includes an aero club = bar and barbecue area. A large hanger is available for the DZ's own two = aircraft which doubles as a packing area when the aircraft are outside. = One of the hangers which houses the gliders has been 'borrowed' for = the period of the meet as an extended packing area which will enable as = many people to pack under cover if they prefer. An amenities block = contains for ladies four flush toilets and three hot water showers. For = the men, seven flush toilets, a sizeable urinal (!) and six hot water = showers. Discrimination, that's what I call it. There is a large = camping ground dutifully measured by Peter Carbines, one of the Kiwi = POPS behind the organising committee, and he tells me that it has = capacity for 40 or more full size camper vehicles or anybody who wishes = to pitch a tent. In addition, there are established bunk rooms for four = at a time per room, fifty total. This should make for some really = interesting nights. The site offers 220volt 50hz power supply at = appropriate outlet poles throughout the grounds. In Matamata Township = five minutes away, there is plenty of motel accommodation and rates = have ben negotiated by POPS. Look to the web site for this.
During the summer season when we shall be bronzing our btms in the NZ = sun, and we are warned to take care with it, the camping conditions are = ideal. The area is well drained and dry. Outside packing can be = undertaken without navigating puddles and pancakes. Cow's I mean.
Parachute Centre Facilties/Aircraft Availability.
Two riggers will be on DZ throughout the meet and packers are available = for those who desire to enhance their tans further still. Reserve = packing dates must be current and within 120 days of the event. The DZ = reserves the right to restrict jumpers with round reserves according to = weather conditions.
LOCAL INSURANCE IS COMPULSORY FOR ALL COMPETITORS.
Video for the four way event will be available but subject to = negotiation as an extra with the camera persons. Any POPS jumpers = skilled in this discipline should make themselves known.
On site catering carts are available.=20
Medical facilties are available from the nearest city hospital 25 = minutes from the DZ and I shall be discussing with our hosts the on = site capability.
Nightly barbecue and beer tickets can be purchased from the day = office/manifest.
You didn't really want to know about the aircraft availability did you? = I'll tell you anyway.
Up to six Cessna 206 are available locally. A sixteen seat Nomad. A = WWII Catalina. A DC3 and, as a special treat, an M18 helicopter. The = latter is built in to a day trip out so book early. I cannot commit our = hosts to making all of them available at one time, this is just not on, = But they are there and the M18 and the Catalina head the list. We need = to know ahead just how many will we be in total?
The Timetable:
Subject to alteration of course, but in principle we are looking at = final registration and opening ceremony 3rd March 2002. A summary of the program now follows:
4th March = Accuracy (or four way)
5th ' = Accuracy (or four way)
6th ' = Four way (or accuracy)
7th ' = Four way (or accuracy)
8th ' = Excursion to Taupo including M18 helicopter jump)
9th ' = Hit n' Rock event, prize giving, banquet.
10th ' = Fun jumps and farewells.
>From the outset, novelty and fun jumps will be available throughout = the meet =20
Our hosts believe that POPS is evolving with more and more skilled over = forties appearing within the society. For this reason, the four way = teams will be made up of three categories with a jumper not being = allowed to be in more than one category. The categories will include = scrambles teams, four way international teams per country and = barbarian teams. Each event will include three rounds except Hit n' = Rock which will be one round. Each event will be called after two days. =
Not shown above, but very much in the minds of the organisers is CRW = for the first time ever. This might be inserted at the beginning = (subject to numbers and experience levels available) during 1st and 2nd = March before the main meet begins. Load organisers will be available = and, of course, large formations are also very much in mind.
Accommodation:
Whatever you need is there, space for camping, rent a motorhome 2 = berth to 6 berth, airfield bunkhouse or, you can go live in a motel in = Matamata Township itself. This is detailed on the web site. and costs = summarised below. The organising committee tell me that they are = prepared to collect and hold deposits by agreement with the DZ and = local motels. If you are booking through the internet, the web page = will instruct you on procedure.
Costs and Currency:
All costs are approximate at this time and, in US Dollars due to the 18 = months factor ahead. Summarising these costs then:
Registration = 65.oo (includes banquet)
Insurance = 20.oo ( to be confirmed)
Accuracy (3 rounds) = 24.oo
Four way (3 rounds) = 60.oo
Hit n' Rock (1 round) = 8.oo
Catalina jump = 27.oo
DC3 jump = 27.oo
Taupo excursion and
|
