The Lunatic Fringe Podcast

It honestly could have gone either way. A gift of a tandem skydive when he was only 14 years old, the experience proved to be overloading to say the least and Max Manow found himself torn between absolutely loving the experience and wanting to throw up. Luckily, skydiving and eventually many aspects of the airports world became his driving passion. Through part luck and part personal drive, Max worked his way from the bottom up, going from packing parachutes to video, to instruction, and then on to some of the most coveted spots in our sport. A competitive swooper, an active member of the RedBull Skydiving Team and a number of other high profile projects, Max not only aims to continue to further his own personal experience, but to bring others along with him, coaching, instructing, and taking part in camps and events all around the world, ensuring he maintains his multi-faceted slot deep within the Lunatic Fringe.

Like so many before him, that first skydive was more on a whim than anything else. Ending up at an operation not too far from his grandparents home, Alberto Avalis may have seen parachutes in the sky before, but it wasn't until after that first jump that he knew. Working a construction job to pay for his new habit, it wasn't all that long before he knew that skydiving was the life for him. Now, after earning all the ratings and working as a professional skydiver and instructor for many years, he's set his sights on competition, and the coveted head down big way world record, of which he was able to earn a slot for this years attempt. Hoping to go back in 2025 to nail it, he plans on continuing on full power down his path with the Lunatic Fringe, competing, working, and loving every bit of it.

Guy Manos might not be a name a lot of newer jumpers are familiar with, but there is absolutely no doubt they are intimately familiar with his work. A University of Miami film-school graduate, a world skydiving champion, stuntman, screenwriter and director, Guy was one of the earliest pioneers of what the film industry now calls “pre-vis” --- the jumping off point, for all the CineLogic innovations, of which he is the technical mastermind. Having cut his teeth in the Hollywood world with such films as Cliffhanger, Dropzone and Cutaway, there is little doubt that his body of work clearly makes him a true legend deep within the Lunatic Fringe.

Back in the can to bring us up to speed with life after Covid, Chris Stewart, test jumper and all-around bad ass for NZ Aerosports sits down once again to talk about getting back into the competition saddle, exciting times on the job and potentially exciting news coming out of the R&D department of NZ that may lead to some awesome new releases. You won't want to miss a moment of time with this Kiwi-convert member of the Lunatic Fringe.

Back in the can for another chat about all things, well not all things skydiving, but most things skydiving, Olga Naumova brings us up to speed on what it's like to be a competitive skydiver that can't compete, kicking people to vent frustration, glass doors, surf boards and too many hobbies, and how she puts the "L" in Lunatic Fringe every damn day.

 Back in the can to talk all about what has become nothing short of a global skydiving phenomenon, Zej M'ski sits down with Tracy Holman, Skydive Chicago's Events Manager and the powerhouse in charge of making your Summerfest dreams come true. With special drop in guests you won't want to miss, this is a great recap of one of skydiving most iconic events.

Back in command of the can, OG Ninja Ray Kubiak takes this face to face opportunity to sit down with Hall of Fame skydiver Amy Chmeleki. Kicking off her Skydiving at the ripe old age of 18, Amy made her first jump in 1995 and has never looked back. She is not only a long time member of the RedBull Air Force, but is now an organizer for Project 19, which highlights women's achievements and is a celebration of the 19th amendment. With countless national and world titles, Amy is 100% skydiver. As a mentor, coach, competitor and advocate for women's rights Amy Chmlelcki is the embodiment of the best side of our Lunatic Fringe.

Not even on the radar. Not a part of any plan, or for that matter even an idea. Yet again just a random tandem skydive to check it off the list and with it another almost instantaneous member of the Lunatic Fringe. Brad Dimmock may not have had a life plan in mind, but he most certainly knew what he didn't want… A one-way ticket to Australia as a newly licensed skydiver started him down a path that would lead to suffering in manifest, asbestos tents, camera flying, trailers, rigging tickets and tandem skydives abroad, simply enjoying each opportunity the sport brings him, and happily planning nothing more than a life in the sky. 

On another total Ninja episode, Mr. Ray Kubiak sits down with the legendary Mr. Martin Kristensen to talk all things Lunatic Fringe with everything from a modern day flying philosophy to starting a family and even a touch of Viking History on another entertaining episode with the Lunatic Fringe. 

In a follow-up to his incredible team mate and partner in all things air sports, please sit back and enjoy this re-released Lunatic Fringe with the one and only Mr. Craig Girard.

With more than thirty eight years and over thirty-thousand skydives under his belt, you'd be hard set to find anyone on earth with more overall experience than Mr. Craig Girard.  Multiple World Title and World Record holder, Craig was a member of not only the United States Army's Golden Knights, but Arizona Airspeed, one of the most highly decorated relative work teams in the sports history; a key member of the 400-way team over Thailand and coach for some of the most competitive teams out there, he takes time to sit down with me to share some of his truly amazing experiences and insights into the Lunatic Fringe.