Formation Skydiving and Artistic Events Nationals : 26 – 30 April 2010, Skydive Xtreme
By Marisa Dold, B2560

From 26 to 30 April 2010, Modimolle Airfield was the centre of attention of the South African Skydiving Community. It was time for the annual SA Skydiving National Championships, hosted by Skydive Xtreme. During this competition, 60 competitors from across the country competed against each other in the Formation Skydiving and Artistic Events disciplines.

Experience levels varied from novice jumpers to experienced jumpers with over 5000 jumps. The winners of the Formation Skydiving 4 way open event are going to represent South Africa at the World Formation Skydiving Championships in Russia during July 2010. This year the event was won by the current SA Champions, Voodoo 4 consisting of Amy Kirtland, Colin Rothman, Dave Sumter, Vana Parker and Helge Harms (camera man).

Voodoo 4

But the most remarkable achievement at the event was accomplished by Johannes Selepe, a resident of Modimolle. With only 207 jumps, Johannes received a gold medal in the Artistic Event Intermediate category with team mates Brendon van Niekerk and Bertus de Beer. This is unique for 2 reasons: The fact that it is the first time in the history of the event that a civilian black person competes in the SA National Championships and also the first time that a black person competes in the Artistic Event discipline.

                        
Johannes Selepe and Brendon van Niekerk                                                                Team Extreme

Johannes has been skydiving for the last 5 years and is an important part of the team at Skydive Xtreme and he dreams of one day being a tandem master.

(Ground photographs: Linda Meyering Steyn)
(Freefall photograph: Bertus de Beer)

Results – 2010 Formation Skydive and Artistic Events Nationals