posted Jan 27th, 2010 - Nick Grillet was one of the candidates for SDC Rhythm XP's tail slot at the tryout event that the NSL News covered extensively in December 2009. He did not join Rhythm, as Thiago Muradas was selected for the slot.

It did not take long though until the NSL News followed up with a story that introduced a new west coast team in Elsinore, the Speedy Kids. Nick Grillet had already found his new team for the 2010 season, as he will now be the Tail for Speedy Kids.

Elsinore BTE 2009 members Melanie Curtis (Point) and Steve Simar (Center Outside) are also Speedy Kids of 2010, Lou Ascione (Center Inside) completes the lineup.

The first test for the Speedy Kids will be the FSL Shamrock Showdown 2010, which becomes more and more another world class competition this year. Nick Grillet will have the opportunity at the Shamrock to compete directly with the team that he tried out for, as SDC Rhythm XP has the same competition on the team agenda, as well.

Rhythm will be better prepared though, as the Chicago/Sebastian team has already resumed the training in 2010. The NSL News met Rob Radez, JaNette and Steve Lefkowitz at Becca's Bootie Boogie and got an update. The video of the NSL Talk with the three Rhythm mmebers will follow very soon.

Two of the Speedy Kids recently held the team's first skills camp help at SkyVenture Arizona. Melanie Curtis and Nick Grillet were the only Speedy Kids at this camp due to a very short notice for all team members.

Nick Grillet said that his team had only a few weeks to plan the camp. Melanie Curtis still managed the logistics in time for the local jumpers at Skydive Elsinore who showed their interest, while Nick Grillet was busy with his own 2010 schedule as a PD representative.

However, the Speedy Kids wanted to help with their coaching skills and experiences. Melanie "Melsinore" Curtis eventually completed her task in time for the Elsinore group (David Sands, Andrea Chan, Chuck Reilly) and a new visiting skydiver from Washington, David Zhang, with only 100 jumps. Nick Grillet probably remembered his own beginnings when he talked about his experience:

"This participant had never met either one of us and didn't know anyone in the camp. It is always awesome to see young, enthusiastic jumpers doing what it takes to get better in the sport they love."

The Speedy Kids have the goal to get more people involved in 4-way training and competition, and the camp was naturally based on 4-way skills. Nick Grillet said that the two Speedy Kids still provided a lot of information on body position and other basic skills whenever it was helpful. However, the main focus of this camp on jump preparations and a thorough debriefing after the flying sessions.

Nick Grillet said that the group was split into two 4-ways, and the two Speedy Kids did 2-on-2 training with them the whole time: "The first group was the younger jumpers who were new to 4-way and were just learning the dive pool. The second group were jumpers who have already been on 4-way teams and were familiar with the dive pool."

He said that the more experienced 4-way flyers wanted to learn the advanced block techniques.

It was a positive experience for the Speedy Kids at their first tunnel camp, as Nick Grillet completed his report:

"It was great to have the mix of experience. Everyone in the camp walked away with so many new things to think about. Of course, Speedy Kids is now motivated to do more of these camps, and we are going to try to plan as many as possible before the USPA Nationals. Our next camp is scheduled for February 19 - 21 at Paraclete."