The Seeds of Lao Skydiving Take Hold
By Nick Ascot and Kevin Gibson

Our February report on reopening skydiving in Laos (please refer to north-by-north-east article 02_07_1) drew an amazing response from our many skydiver-readers, of course, but also others interested in positive developments in Laos. Here’s an update on the joint venture to produce in Laos the first international skydiving “boogie”—the term skydivers when they get together under special circumstances, such as an exotic location, special aircraft, or to celebrate something auspicious. Planned over Lao Pi Mai (Buddhist New Year) in the capital city of Vientiane 13-17 April using Lao Air MI-17 & MI-8 helicopters, the Mekong River Boogie offers all three.

Sky diver high above the Mekong River with Lao PDR national flag!

The happiest surprise comes from the enthusiasm of local organizations, agencies, and individuals. Once His Excellency Jumalee Saiyasone, Prime Minister of Laos, signed on, representatives from the Vientiane mayor’s office and from at least a half-dozen municipal and national departments and ministries joined to determine how best to welcome the jumpers.

Organizers were also greatly surprised by and greatly endeared to the Lao National Team jumpers. This team of 16 young people (all enlisted airmen in the Laos PDR National Air Force), and their two coaches (both commissioned officers) are highly committed and enthusiastic about their sport. In layman’s terms, this team is ready to become a world-class group of competitors. All are 30 years old or under, and since they all have at least 500 jumps experience each (and some up to 3,000 jumps) boogie organizers are investigating possibilities for sponsorship. With the right guidance and international support, this team of young men and women can—and will—become a high-profile team of future leaders for Laos PDR!

Lao National Team jumpers - they have distinguished themselves internationally through their enthusiasm and commitment to the future of the sport in their country!

Already, more than 50 skydivers from 12 countries have paid advance registration, including Australia, Canada, China, Dubai, Hong Kong, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, and United States, with many others expected to register on site. The group includes internationally known skydiving coaches to help organize the jumping for each participant’s best skydiving experience: Wendy Smith (New Zealand), Derek Thomas (U.K.), and Darel Davenport and Kevin Gibson (U.S.). The Lao skydivers will surely gain from such a broad exposure to the international skydiving community. Most of all, the Lao team’s participation promises to make the event fun.

Two well-attended press conferences and independent interest from the international news services indicate that the Mekong River Boogie has drawn media attention from well beyond the local area. There will be a media coordinator on site to help reporters gain access for interviews and photographs, as well as coordinating the transfer of air-to-air photography from the professional camera-flying skydivers in attendance.

The organizers have provided for first-time jumpers to participate. While the costs of skydiving make it impractical to introduce everyone to skydiving first hand, the event promoters have agreed to provide a number of promotional tandem jumps each day at no charge to the lucky recipient.

Some lucky first time 'divers' can go tandem with a qualified professional - for free!

This first-ever event promises to raise awareness within Laos vis-à-vis the sport of skydiving in general; however the organizers hope and believe that this event also heralds a new era of international sportsmanship and cooperation.

For more information and travel arrangements please contact:

http://www.mekongriverboogie.com/

or

North by North-East Travel
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