The Cross Keys Invasion was a huge success flying over 239 turbine loads and 58 chopper loads. The Chicago Otter traveled to Sebastian to provide additional lift capacity bringing with it many Chicago jumpers who joined in the skydives and the New Year's festivities. Skydive Sebastian and Skydive Cross Keys joined together flying almost 4500 skydives. Roger Ponce and Carl Daugherty started the event with RW load organizing. Will, Jimmy T, and Yonatan from CK1 and Peter G provided the freefly organizing. Jumpers flocked to the manifest window to participate in all levels of organized jumps.

CReW Dogs showed their support and enthusiasm turning up in large numbers to participate in various canopy formations which added to the already incredible view of the Atlantic coastline and the Sebastian Inlet. Record numbers of non-skydiver spectators watched the "show" in awe and one spectator even phoned to say the DZ should provide a daily jump schedule, so they would know when to look skyward.

Saturday, December 30 and Sunday, December 31 numerous jumpers participated in the scheduled night jumps. On the 31st the night jumps were followed by appetizers, fireworks, several DJ’s including Rook Nelson and Eric Deren, a fire show, and free beer to celebrate the New Year. Just before midnight the corks were popped for a champagne toast countdown to the New Year. The New Year’s Eve theme was black or white and skydivers were dressed from rags to riches to celebrate the theme. Incredible times were celebrated into all hours of the morning.

The canopy skills camp began on Monday, January 1st and continued through Wednesday, January 3rd with over 15 participants each day. Participants were divided amongst several incredible coaches such as Shannon Pilcher, Jay Moledzky, JC, Jimmy Tranter, as well as others.

Range Luda and Dave Pancake provided water training to all interested skydivers on Monday night at Captain Hiram's Key West Inn.

The Intermediate and Pro Swoop Competitions were a big success. The Intermediate Swoop Competition consisted of 28 competitors landing at a course designed by Chris Hayes at the Skydive Sebastian facilities. The Pro Swoop Competition had 26 competitors landing on the beach at the Sebastian Beach Inn. Friday brought some challenging winds that shut the course down but didn't keep the fun jumpers from making plenty of beach jumps. The balance of the rounds were completed on Saturday followed by an awards ceremony held that evening at the Sebastian Beach Inn adding to the evening festivities. All of the participants and PD Challenge winners impressed a record number of beach spectators with their canopy skills. Special congratulations to Jay Moledzky who took 1st place in the competition!

Skydive Sebastian wants to thank all the skydivers who participated in this event for traveling from all parts of the country to help make this event so much fun and such a huge success. The entire staff of Skydive Sebastian really appreciated all of the positive enthusiasm expressed by our guests during the event and we all hope we will see you again soon for some more "Florida style" skydiving fun. Thank you everyone for making this event such a blast!!!

Many thanks Don Cook and the Sebastian Beach Inn for always welcoming our frequent beach landings and for graciously accepting our "invasion" throughout the PD Challenge as well as all the other beach landings our skydivers enjoyed in front of SBI. SBI really went above and beyond "the call of duty" embracing this event and lending their premises for the swoop competition and the operation of the helicopter from SBI's property.

A special thanks to Kim Worthington, Chris Hayes, and Emma Tranter for making the Cross Keys Invasion happen!!!!