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
Tel: +66 (0) 4251 3572
Fax:+66 (0) 4251 3573
e-mail: info@ north-by-north-east.com
Web site: www.north-by-north-east.com