Navigating the skies and soaring through the heavens is so much more fun when we master the art of transitions. These mid-air maneuvers are the crucial link between belly flying and back flying, and they’re the secret to maintaining your flow in the sky. So, let’s jump into the world of transitions and explore three main techniques used to perform a transition.

The Essence of Transitions

Transitions are like the glue that binds your skydiving routine together. They seamlessly bridge the gap between belly flying and back flying, allowing you to just keep flying. The key to success here is simple: always be flying. But today, we won’t delve into the nitty-gritty mechanics of transitions; that’s a tale for another day. Instead, we’re going to unravel three ways to execute that beautiful transition (beauty not guaranteed).  What we’re really talking about here is, what do I do with the arm that goes under during the transition.

1. The Bent Arm Transition

Imagine bending at the elbow, bringing your arm close to your body. This is the “Bent Arm” transition. It’s a graceful move that involves collapsing one wing to allow rotation while relying on lift from the open wing to initiate the rotation. It’s like poetry in motion, a symphony of balance and grace.

2. The Straight Arm Transition

In contrast, the “Straight Arm” transition requires you to keep your arm extended and draw your elbow towards your body. This technique maintains a rigid arm as you shift from belly to back flying. Like a conductor leading an orchestra, this method harmonizes your movements with finesse and precision.

3. The Push Arm Transition

Now, let’s explore the “Push Arm” transition, a dynamic approach that keeps both arms straight while pushing one wing through to the other side. This method often involves some body rotation. It’s like throwing it and catching it on the other side.

Creating the Perfect Transition

Each of these techniques involves leveraging asymmetric lift, but they each have their own style. The first two methods use the arm that’s going under your body to collapse the wing and relying on lift from the open wing to initiate rotation. In contrast, the third method achieves rotation by swinging one wing under your body, which, in turn, propels your body to twist and accomplish the transition.

While I favor the straight arm transition in many instances, I still use the bent arm technique. I’ve even experimented with a variation of the third method, combining it with flying the over wing to transition smoothly between both sides. With enough practice, we begin to use what feels appropriate in the moment.

For more insights into transitions, I recently gave a talk on this thrilling subject during Ekstrem Sport Veko in Voss, Norway. The full video is a thrilling 44 minutes and is available below for your viewing pleasure.

In closing, remember this: to master the move and achieve those seamless in-slot transitions, seek coaching, practice diligently, and the skies will be yours to conquer. Should you have any questions along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Blue Skies,

-WSL