posted Nov 16th, 2006 - The first day of SkyQuest 2006 has a slow start. The weather system that was racing through the southeastern states with full power and several tornados covered almost the whole eastern third of the USA on Thursday morning.

However, the Kaleidoscope Divers knew that this was the expected situation in the morning and took it easy.

The weather situation will change very soon, and beautiful Florida fall weather will replace the grey skies and the rain. Skydive DeLand owner Bob Hallett expected that the Kaleidoscope Divers would still be able to make two jumps in the afternoon on Thursday.

The drop zone is well prepared for the event. Additional tents have been set up to accommodate packing and other activities. One of the hangars serves as a movie theater for dubbing, judging and the video debriefings of all groups. Large TV screens will make it easy for the general public to watch the freefall footage, as well.

The local Aaron's store has provided the large screen TVs, while Monster Energy provides the SkyQuest 2006 participants with free energy drinks during the event duration. Performance Designs sponsored the SkyQuest 2006 T-shirts with a new design. The shirts were handed out to each participant at registration.

BJ Worth used the weather situation in the morning for a briefing with the team captains of the Kaleidoscope Dives. Kate Cooper, Larry Henderson, Mike Johnston, Roger Ponce de Leon and Rusty Vest made the last adjustments of the roster, while the participants checked in.

The next step on Thursday morning will be the first meeting of the whole Kaleidoscope group. Dirtdives follow, and the Kaleidoscope Divers will be well prepared when the opportunity for the first jump will come up in the afternoon.

The first round of the 4-way competition is scheduled for Friday afternoon. The competition draw will take place at noon, and the teams will once again draw the sequences live on site during the introduction of the field. The Canopy Piloting competition is scheduled for Saturday.

NSL-TV is prepared to upload the first videos of the Kaleidoscope Dives Thursday afternoon. Chief videographer Craig O'Brien will select the best footage of each jump and work together with NSL-TV for regular updates. He is also putting together a DVD of the Kaleidoscope Dives this year, which will be available a week after the event.