Hibaldstow-based Target Skysports to host 2010 National Skydiving Championships
NORTH Lincolnshire is becoming an international hub for free-falling daredevils thanks to the Hibaldstow site, which will host the 2010 National Skydiving Championships.
Hibaldstow-based company Target Skysports, offers the only 15,000ft dives available in the UK and is one of the few to offer the drop in Europe.
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DOING WELL: Target Sports manager Noel Purcell with one of Hibaldstow Airfield's aircraft. Picture: David Haber
Hibaldstow Airfield will host the 2010 National Skydiving Championships between August 14 and 30, an event which will help further establish the North Lincolnshire's reputation among skydivers.
Target Skysports manager Noel Purcell said: "The numbers of people coming here seems to be going up each year. We've been here since 1992 and there's been a huge rise in both the popularity of the sport and the amount of business we've been doing since then.
"Just last week we had a group travel from Malta to skydive here, and we regularly get people from across the UK as we are the only company who can offer dives from 15,000ft.
"We've done about 2,500 tandem jumps so far this year and, in particular, we've had a lot of people coming to do the dives for charity."
The British championships will be held for the 12th year in Hibaldstow, and will see hundreds of skydivers and jumping enthusiasts descend on North Lincolnshire at the end of next month, providing a welcome boost to the local economy.
Noel said: "It's a fantastic event with a wide range of competitors.
"We direct people through the website to local campsites and local bed and breakfasts and obviously when you get them eating at local restaurants and having a drink at nearby pubs, it has a really positive impact on the community.
"We would always welcome people to come down and cheer on the competitors as well as seeing hundreds of people coming from the sky provides a really exciting spectacle."
But for Noel, 37, who has completed more than 4,500 jumps, the pleasure of watching beginners overcome their fears is just as exciting as presiding over the internationally renowned championships.
He said: "A lot of what we do is with people who are complete beginners and might only be doing it once in their lives.
"You get to see such a wide range of emotions. My buzz really comes from seeing people after they've landed, when they walk away full of pride at what they just achieved.
"I think anyone who has done a skydive can relate to the feelings involved with that first jump, and although I still enjoy every single jump I do, that first one always sticks out in your memory."
The 2010 National Skydiving Championships will be held at Hibaldstow Airfield from Saturday and Monday over the weekends of August 14 to 16, 21 to 23, and 28 to 30.
For a full list of events, visit www.skydiving.co.uk
7 Comments
by Pete, Brigg
Saturday, August 21 2010, 11:16PM
“I've lived in Brigg and Broughton for the past 10 years and can honestly say I've never noticed the noise.
I can well imagine someone living in Redbourne or Hibaldstow itself will notice the planes going up but I fail to see how the noise bothers people in further afar areas.
I guess some people just like complaining.”
by L, Redbourne
Tuesday, July 13 2010, 4:26PM
“We live in Redbourne and there are times when I believe it would be quieter living beside Heathrow airport.
I agree entirely with the comments raised by those residents of Brigg, Broughton, and Scawby. No-one intends to be a 'killjoy', but the pleasures of a few come at a huge cost to so many others. There should be controls over where the aircraft are allowed to fly and the level of noise that is created. Please contact NLC environment department with your concerns.”
by Ron, Broughton
Monday, July 12 2010, 9:31PM
“I've copied all your comments gents and will try to get it curtailed a bit.
As for rafan. What can you say to a cretin who has no consideration for anyone else? Drive a Subaru do we?”
by R Johnson, Scawby
Monday, July 12 2010, 8:59PM
“Thoroughly agree with Ron,the constant droning is a pain in the ear. We should all complain to the local council.
Hate our noisy neighbours”
by Fokker, Brigg
Monday, July 12 2010, 8:28PM
“I agree with Ron, these flying dustcarts grind their way slowly into the sky most days of the week nearly all year round. You can set your watch by the 9am racket as they crawl their way directly over our rooftop at about 1000 feet. When that din is finished you then get the persistant drone as it comes back over slightly higher. Once the occupants have jumped out we then get it divebombing brigg as it rapidly loses height - this bit worries me most as yhey are not exactly spring chickens these aircraft. This noise has plagued me and my neighbours for the last 10 odd years and there is nothing we can do about it.
I have nothing against people enjoying themselves doing this activity but when it impinges on others peace (and sanity) it's a bit much. I actually look forward to cloudy / windy days as it will be quiet in the garden (and house) as the 'Chinese Torture' is off for a while.
God knows how anyone can live in Hibaldstow with these old Junkers so close. HHHMMMMMMMMMMMM!!”
by rafan, scun
Monday, July 12 2010, 4:36PM
“And a merry christmas to you Ron, why dont you try jumping from a plane at 15,000ft , killjoy.”
by Ron, Broughton
Monday, July 12 2010, 3:56PM
“What appears to be forgotten by all these people who 'get their rocks off' by jumping out of aircraft is the constant droning that people here in Broughton and surrounding areas have to endure from morning until dusk on fine days- particularly at the weekends,while their 'old-tubs' spiral up to about 15000 feet. All I can say is never have so few made so much racket that annoys so many. Last Saturday was hell and you'ld have to be deaf to enjoy sitting out in the sunshine!”