Where do I begin?
It all started in 2003 when Kristine and I came to Belize for a holiday. After touring the island I knew a skydiving boogie would be a great event on Ambergris Caye. After a couple of very frustrating years it all came to be February of 2005 for "Boogie in Belize I". At that time the folks here on the message board were perplexed by it all! What an amazing run it has been. When I first posted about the boogie here I knew no one. All of these years later I am amazed at the folks here that are my very dear friends.
One of the greatest things about bringing skydiving to Belize has been to watch the local Belizeans makejumps, and to watch, and leap with MANY of you here on the board.
To make an event as large as these boogies happen I needed a LOT of help. I want to thank Marty for all of his great enthusiasm and posting some of our best photos, and allowing me to pump up the volume about skydiving here at AC.com.
There are so many folks that have helped over the past five years and I know i will forget some of them but thanks and a shout out to the following...
Tropic Air, without them I would still be begging for permission.
The SunBreeze Hotel and Suites, Who else lets a bunch of smelly skydivers take over a resort for ten days, hanging wet parachutes all over?
The Blue Water Grill, Great food and great welcoming dinners.
BC's, thanks to Charlene for our farewell BBQ's and always
being the un official watering hole for the jumpers, and making the "Queens" jump the first year.
Mayor Paz and the Town Board for inviting us back each year.
Dr. Danny and Dr. Tina for patching us up over the years.
The BTB and Minister Heredia for their great support.
Rosalie Staines and the Oapn Paki Show for being staunch supporters of skydiving in Belize.
Travellers Liquors for all of the free "One Barrel"!
Zeta Water for keeping us hydrated.
Pelican Properties, Sunrise Realty and Seaside Realty for helping out in many different ways.
Aqua Dives, Island Ferry, Amigos Del Mar and Tanisha Tours for boat support over the years.
All of the various nightspots(too many to list!) that have hosted us over the years.
The BDF Air Wing that helped out in so many ways. Flying jumpers for demos and doing a formation load with us.
Astrum Helicopters, allowing us to use their fuel trailer.
The San Pedro Sun and Ambergris Today have given us great coverage all these years.
Channel 5 for great TV coverage to promote our sport.
And the list could go on forever as SO many folks have helped make this one of the premier skydiving events in the world.
And Lyal and Cathy from Eden North Parachute Schools in Edmonton, Canada. Without their help I never would have been able to pull this event off so smoothly.
And to Skydive Perris in California. Flying a Twin Otter, the "Blue Shark" each year.
And to Skydive Kapowsin in Washington for flying their Caravan the first year.
Where the hell did these five years go???
Thanks to everyone that has made a leap with us or just came out to watch. It has been my pleasure to bring the sport I love to all of you. It makes me laugh when I see a post here about skydiving, I have done my job!
I am working on a full time operation in Belize for late next year. If all goes well we will be jumping every day over Ambergris Caye!
As of now "Boogie in Belize VI" is on hold for a few years. You all will be the first to know when we restart the party!
Thanks Everyone!
(I need a nap)