#TipTuesday: Side Slide Using the Door

with Steve Lefkowitz

Skydive Paraclete XP introduces #TipTuesday! These are educational tutorials for most levels and disciplines of tunnel flyers to hone in their skills as they learn to perfect their flight in the wind tunnel. Each month we will introduce a new tip from various instructors in different disciplines. This month, national champion from the team, SDC Rhythm XP, Steve Lefkowitz demonstrates how to perfect your side sliding skills using the door in a belly-to-earth orientation.

* Note: please confer with your tunnel instructor before trying any new skills; they will provide tailored instruction because each flyer is unique and all tutorials and skills may not be suitable for each flyer.

The Set-Up

First, walk into the tunnel and immediately turn towards the anti-chamber so you are facing the entryway. Take a grip with both hands onto the door about head level. Then, in a controlled manner, allow your legs to fly up in the relative wind while still holding on to the door and maintaining a belly-down orientation by keeping an arched body position, looking up. Then, begin your side slides.

• Get in the door, face anti-chamber
• Grip both hands onto the door at head level
• In a controlled fashion, allow legs to fly up with the wind

How to Belly Side Slide

Side slides can be tricky to remember which leg does what. Visualizing, and practicing before you enter the chamber will help you maximize your training in the wind tunnel. Here’s how to do a belly orientation side slide:

• To side slide right, slightly dip your right knee down and slightly extend your left leg
• To side slight left, slightly dip your left knee and extended the right leg modestly

It is easy to have wiggly legs or powerful legs. Since our legs are the biggest surface area, they control much of our movement. If we want to maintain control, we must be in a good body position to start and move intentionally and smoothly as you make small adjustments with the various leg positions.

Benefits of This Drill

This drill allows you to focus solely on your leg position, without worrying about your arm positions. It also keeps you in a relative position, away from the walls if you accidentally over-power a move and get too close to the wall.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to indoor skydive, be sure to check us out and book a flight today!