SWOOP PARK™ RULES, GUIDELINES & WARNINGS

WARNING! USE OF THE SWOOP PARK FACILITIES OR EQUIPMENT, OR YOUR MERE PRESENCE AT THE SWOOP PARK DURING USE OR SET-UP, MAY RESULT IN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY, DEATH, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

ALL CANOPY PILOTS (i.e. Swoopers) who want to swoop the pond or train at the swoop park must read and sign these Rules & Guidelines!

The Spaceland Swoop Park™ was built for canopy piloting training, competitions and other swooping activities. Use of the Spaceland Swoop Park™ is a privilege granted by Skydive Spaceland™ to qualified canopy pilots only. Please follow our rules & guidelines so you don't lose your privileges to swoop the pond and use our Swoop Park™.

The Spaceland Swoop Park™ is currently the largest man-made swoop pond in the world, measuring 500ft long X 250ft wide and 3ft deep! The pond was built with safety in mind, which is the main reason it is so large. The pond was built by professional canopy pilots for canopy pilots. The pond has gentle sloping banks at 45 degrees with smooth edges. The exit side of the pond features a large area of sand to soften your landing for events like Zone Accuracy, Freestyle, etc. The pond uses no plastic liner, which allows us to set up courses faster with minimal equipment, minimal obstacles and makes it safer for everyone involved, including you!

The Spaceland Swoop Park™ has onsite power (not generators) and is feed from a deep well using a large pump so we can control the water level. The pond features recirculation pumps that act as large beautiful fountains and keeps the water circulating to prevent algae and other types of green growth. In addition, we use a blue dye called "Aqua Shade" that is harmless on parachute gear and clothing. This dye reduces sunlight into the water and helps control algae growth with a nice shade of blue.

SWOOP PARK™ GUIDELINES

Do not attempt dangerous maneuvers at the Spaceland Swoop Park™ that you have never attempted before unless you are under the direct supervision of an experienced canopy piloting instructor, staff, teammate or someone who can oversee the maneuver and call medical assistance.

The Spaceland Swoop Park™ uses a flagging system for safety violations similar to the ones used in canopy piloting competitions:

Your first safety violation at the Spaceland Swoop Park™ will result in a yellow flag issued by an instructor, supervisor, organizer, judge or other DZ staff. Yellow flags will be issued for unsafe actions such as (but not limited to): low turns or low approaches, crowding or cutting off other canopy pilots or erratic canopy control.

A second safety violation, resulting in a second yellow flag, is the equivalent of the issuance of a red flag. The issuance of a red flag will result in the loss of your privileges to use the Spaceland Swoop Park™ on either a temporary or permanent basis.

A red flag can be issued without a prior yellow flag or warning for any action that presents immediate danger to other canopy pilots or others on the ground. Examples of this include low approaches over other skydivers and spectators or flying the canopy in an uncontrolled manner into any person on the DZ. Also a red flag can be issued for intentionally turning too low, with no chance of recovery and impacting the pond on more of a horizontal plane. In summary, designated staff can red flag you for unsafe canopy piloting, OR FOR USING THE SWOOP PARK FACILITIES OR EQUIPMENT WITHOUT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.

SWOOP PARK™ RULES

1) Everyone training, competing or performing any other swooping activities at the Spaceland Swoop Park™ must read & sign these rules BEFORE performing any activities at the pond. NO EXCEPTIONS!

2) You must notify manifest if you are going to be swooping on the pond and when. This is for your own safety and the safety of those around you.

3) All canopy pilots must plan out their exit order or high "clear & pulls" between all swoopers on the load prior to boarding the aircraft. The exit order should be organized with highest wing loadings exiting first to lowest wing loadings exiting last with the exception of special in flight maneuvers, landings, test jumps or other special considerations.

4) You must notify everyone around the pond if you are doing a downwind landing and be first or last on the pass.

5) No low hook turns, no radical unpredictable turns, no flying towards spectators, judges, competitors, staff or anyone else on the ground!

6) If you require our course materials you must inventory the course equipment with a staff member before signing them out and assume responsibility for the condition and return of the materials.

7) Keep your area at the pond clean, no littering & no throwing objects into pond.

8) No foul, vulgar language, or vulgar music allowed at the Spaceland Swoop Park™. No loud horns or bullhorns allowed.

9) Do not pack in the indoor A/C packing area if you are muddy, wet or have wet gear!

10) You may use a cell phone to call the DZ office to manifest only if you are competing or conducting scheduled training at the Swoop Park.

11) All photos & videos shot at the Spaceland Swoop Park™ must be made available to the DZ if requested. All rights reserved©

12) No open fires at the Spaceland Swoop Park™ except in the authorized bonfire pit only!

13) No camping in or around the Spaceland Swoop Park™ without scheduling with the DZ office.

14) Do not set up any courses or obstacles without clearing it with the DZ first or getting a sign out sheet.

15) Do not adjust or mess with the pond recirculation pumps for any reason at anytime.

16) No alcohol or smoking at the Spaceland Swoop Park™ during daylight hours.

17) Do not put anything in the water including rocks, bricks, metal, glass, anchors or your own course material of any type without verbal permission from the DZ. Everything that goes into the pond must come out and be accounted for.

18) Aircraft have the right of way. Do not cross the runway after your landing until 100% sure the runway is clear. Look in both directions. Half of the runway is grass so stay clear of both paved and grass portions of the runway, and take a knee (kneel) to let the pilot know you’re not going to cross in front of him.

19) USPA Intermediate Rules apply: 500 High Performance landings, 100 in the last year, unless authorized by designated staff.

20. YOU MUST BE A STRONG SWIMMER TO USE THE SWOOP PARK FACILITIES OR EQUIPMENT.

SWOOP PARK™ TRAINING

The Spaceland Swoop Park™ is available for your training year round and offers canopy pilots a safe training environment with logistical support including full competition courses, power, RV park, camping, packing and more! Canopy Pilots must schedule their training at the Park if they need competition courses.

Canopy pilots are not required to bring course materials for training but it is allowed if approved by the DZ prior to your scheduled training. The Swoop Park has its own competition courses, which are available for training and kept at the Swoop Park building onsite. Canopy pilots gain access to the courses and equipment after assuming responsibility for such equipment after counting and surveying the inventory and signing it out.

The Spaceland Swoop Park™ offers training by some of the best canopy pilots in the world. The Canopy Piloting School™ also known as "CPS™" offers training at all levels. CPS™ programs include but is not limited to: one on one coaching, basic canopy flight course, ultra camps, competition camps and more. Our instructors have the experience and ability to teach all facets of canopy piloting in the most efficient and safe way possible.

Spaceland Swoop Park™ required forms
Need Swoop pond clearance?: Fill out our “Swoop Park Rules & Guidelines sheet”
Need courses on the pond?: Fill out our “Swoop Park Sign Out sheet”
Need coaching?: Fill out our coaching form “Canopy piloting coaching”

Contact Eric Boyd or Jim Slaton
eric@skydivespaceland.com
jim@canopypiloting.com

We hope you enjoy the Spaceland Swoop Park™ and look forward to seeing you "safely" swoop it up! If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us.

WARNING! USE OF THE SWOOP PARK FACILITIES OR EQUIPMENT, OR YOUR MERE PRESENCE AT THE SWOOP PARK DURING USE OR SET-UP, MAY RESULT IN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY, DEATH, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

RULES FOR CANOPY PILOTING COMPETITIONS