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Joined: Oct 1999
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Marty Offline OP
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[Linked Image]

thinking of you guys ....

Joined: Jan 2005
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RIP frown

Thanks for posting Marty. They look like a very happy couple. smile

Joined: Mar 2005
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spl Offline
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very sweet pic. Very sad story. Thinking of Sara and Chad's family.

A
Anonymous
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Brings right back that a couple of days beforehand they were both diving with us. I'm with SPL.

Joined: Oct 1999
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Marty Offline OP
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Canyon Lake man dies sky diving in Belize

By: JOHN HALL -Staff Writer

The cremated remains of a Canyon Lake man who was killed when he plunged into the Caribbean Sea while sky-diving off Belize last week were expected to return to the area late Tuesday, officials said.

Chad Hansen Zielinski, 45, jumped from the plane about 12:20 p.m. Thursday at an altitude of 13,000 feet about a half-mile across the barrier reef near San Pedro Town, Belize police Sgt. Dennis Myles said Tuesday.

His body was found and removed from the sea about two hours later, Myles said. An autopsy, or postmortem, as it is called in Belize, was done and the cause of death was described as traumatic shock, the spokesman added.


Zielinski was among 130 sky divers from as far away as Japan, Poland and South Africa taking part in an event called "Boogie in Belize II," said Rich Grimm of Tsunami Skydivers, the La Mesa company that organized the trip.

Grimm called Zielinski "a very, very experienced jumper" who had been sky-diving for more than 20 years. This was Zielinski's first sky-dive trip to Belize, a popular Central American tourist destination, Grimm added.

Zielinski was wearing what's called a "wing suit" for the jump, Grimm said. Such a suit when used by sky divers can slow their descent down to about 70 to 80 mph from the more typical speed of more than 100 mph.

"A wing suit can be cumbersome," Grimm said. "For whatever reason, his chute didn't deploy," Grimm said. "We've done a full investigation and examined his gear. It was all worn properly and in perfect working order."

"We're perplexed" about why Zielinski was unable to deploy either of his parachutes, Grimm added.

One theory Grimm shared was that Zielinski may have lost track of his altitude. When sky diving over the ocean, it can be more difficult for a sky diver to get his bearings because there aren't visual markers like houses or trees to gauge altitude from ---- just an expanse of blue water.

Grimm also said it was possible some sort of medical condition could have led to the failure to deploy the parachutes.

"Safety is our No. 1 priority," Grimm said, adding that more than 1,100 sky dives were safely completed during the 10-day event, which ran from Feb. 11 through Monday.

There are safety boats in the water for every jump, Grimm said, and those boats ---- as well as others from Belize and scuba divers ---- were immediately out searching for Zielinski when it became known his chutes did not deploy.

His body was ultimately found by the very aircraft Zielinski jumped from, which flew from the Perris Valley Skydiving resort for the event.

Zielinski's body was cremated and his cremains were set to be flown back to the United States on Tuesday when the local sky divers returned to Perris Valley Airport, Grimm said.

After Zielinski fell to his death, jumps for that day were stopped and the following morning memorial jumps were done to honor him.

"We all felt that he would have wanted us to go on," Grimm said.

Contact staff writer John Hall at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2628, or [email protected].

Joined: Oct 2004
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We delivered Chad's ashes to his mom and Sara today upon our arrival back at Perris Valley Skydive Center. They were both holding up well and tears and laughs went with lunch and drinks with family and friends.

Joined: Feb 2006
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This is so sad, My heart and prayers go out to all his firends and family. We live about 4 minutes from him and are planning our first trip to Belize in may. He seemed like a very loved man.

Joined: Nov 2000
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Thanks for the post Rich. It is good to know you are all home safe and sound. We will look for you next year - and be even more prepared. Thanks for all your suggestions.


Harriette
Take only pictures leave only bubbles
Joined: Oct 1999
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Marty Offline OP
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In Memoriam: Chad Zielinski

Chad Hansen Zielinski died February 16 while skydiving in Belize with a large group of fellow skydivers from Perris Valley Skydiving. He was 45 years old.
Chad was born in Tacoma, Washington, November 6, 1960. A skydiver for more than 20 years, he was an avid base jumper and pilot. He also enjoyed wakeboarding, skiing and snowboarding and had many friends in Canyon Lake. Although he was involved in the computer industry and real estate, his most recent occupation was as a licensed massage therapist at Bliss Mobile Massage Therapy in Canyon Lake in the Towne Center. He also served in the Coast Guard at one time.
Chad is survived by his mother, Avon Zielinski, and teenage daughters, Christina and Lyndsey Hansen, all of Canyon Lake. "Chad was a wonderful son and my best friend," says his mom. "He had the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known and never hesitated to help others."
His daughters felt the same way. "He was the best dad I could ever ask for and the greatest guy I have ever known. I love and miss him with all my heart," says his younger daughter Lyndsey, a sophomore at Temescal Canyon High School.
Christina, a junior at TCHS, echoed the same sentiment, adding, "My dad was a very special person who touched the soul of many people. I know in my heart he will live on forever in the memories of those fortunate enough to have met him."
A celebration of Chad's life will be held Sunday, March 5, beginning at 3 p.m., at Perris Valley Skydiving, 2091 Goetz Road in Perris. A memorial "Ash Skydive" will be held from 4:30 to 5 p.m., followed by a private dinner for close family and friends only.
In lieu of flowers, friends suggest donations be made to a trust fund set up for Chad's daughters.

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 359
K
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Perris Valley skydiving group have lost more than their share of good men and women. A few years back the plane crashed where many were lost. I know they're all together having a great party. Prayers to all.
Belizebound, where do you live? I used to live off Bundy Canyon Rd., and was bar manager at the casino. (where I met many of the skydivers)

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