SDC Rhythm XP in 2010
As our team has evolved from season to season, we have seen a lot of changes, but one thing remains the same - a deep, shared commitment
to driving our team forward in competition and in helping others to enjoy the sport as much as we do.
Each year we execute on a plan that involves more training and more organizing than the last year. In that respect, 2010 will be no different.
SDC's support offers all the amenities of training and organizing at a world-class facility with other world-class teams,
augmented with winter training at Skydive Sebastian. We are proud to have Kirk Verner continue to coach us both at SDC and at the Paraclete XP wind tunnel,
the best wind tunnel in the world.
In 2010, we welcome Thiago Muradas, formerly of Sebastian Tempest, to the Tail slot and Jason Imamura, formerly of R4 with Rob, as the team videographer.
Team History
Rhythm was originally formed in 2006 by JaNette Lefkowitz, Laurent Beaudouin and
Steve Lefkowitz with the goal of becoming the highest-scoring 4-way team the Midwest
skydiving league has ever seen. On a cold and wintry night in December '06, we met with
CSC DZO Doug Smith and his wife Carolyn to talk through a plan for doing just that. With
strong support from Doug, we were able to hire player-coach Robert Chromy
as our mentor and inside center. For the final touch, we asked Andy Metcalfe to do video, and he agreed.
We had a team!
Focused heavily on the fundamentals - individual flying skills, communication, clean block and
random technique - the team's plan included 20+ hours of wind tunnel and close to 300
training jumps. Under Chromy's excellent guidance, we improved from a 10.9 average in the
intermediate class in mid-March to a 14.5 average (3rd place) at USPA Nationals in
advanced. With the best score any Midwest league team had ever achieved, and a season
that exceeded all our expectations for both fun and learning, we reached our goal.
2008 was a great year for Rhythm. We learned and grew individually and as a team.
We also grew our Team-for-a-day program, tunnel skills camps, and other organized events.
Brian Ball joined us in Inside Center. Kevin Naftzger, long time friend of Rhythm, joined the team as videographer.
The team trained at CSC and Paraclete XP, completing about 300 training jumps and 24 hours of tunnel time.
At the Nationals Championships in Eloy, we won the Advanced class with a 16.9 average, the highest
score ever achieved in that division.
After a rigorous interview and tryout process, considering a number of really great candidates to fill the inside center position, we were excited to
welcome former R4 member and 2008 Nationals Intermediate Champion Rob Radez to the team. Rob is someone we had seen now and again at past USPA Nationals since
the first time we met at the Orlando tunnel. Not only is he a strong flyer with the skills and qualities we are looking for competitively, but he also has
extensive experience coaching around his home town of San Francisco.
In the same vein of continued growth, the team decided to move to Skydive Chicago for 2009. After finishing Nationals with an 18.1 average, Laurent Beaudouin retired from the team.
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JaNette Lefkowitz
Position: Oustide Center
From: Chicago, IL
Hometown: New Smyrna Beach, FL
Birthday: 8/15/1978
First jump: November 2001
# Jumps: 1,400+
Tunnel Time: 90h
Gear: Infinity, Sabre2 120 and 135, Optimum 143 and 126, Cypres2, TonySuit Pit Special, Pro-Track, Optima, Viso
Former teams: CSC Sirens (2006)
Susan Crowe, Barbra Carqueville, Karyn Rees, Brad Vancina (video),
Good Vibrations (2003-2005)
"Smooth" Eric Smith, Aimee Wienkers,
Jerry Mulchrone, Kevin Naftzger (video)
GV teammates: Mark Sherman, Dave Bird
Skydiving Influences: Chromy, Airspeed, Steve & Laurent
Hobbies / Activities: Boating, Classical Piano, Swimming, Yoga
Occupation: Supply Chain Consultant
Education Degree: Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from MIT
Competition history:
- 2008: CSC Rhythm XP - 1st place USPA Nationals Adavanced
- 2008: CSC Rhythm XP - 1st place Midwest Skydiving League AAA
- 2007: CSC Rhythm - 3rd place USPA Nationals Advanced
- 2007: CSC Rhythm - 1st place Midwest Skydiving League AAA
- 2006: CSC Sirens - 2nd place Midwest Skydiving League AA
- 2005: Good Vibrations - 2nd place Midwest Skydiving League AA
- 2004: Good Vibrations - 2nd place Midwest Skydiving League AA
How I got into Skydiving: My uncle Hal took me for a tandem.
Team Nickname: none, but for the record Laurent is Kneepads McGee and Andy is Stinky Frijoles
What I like best about 4-way: It's always challenging
What I like best about SDC Rhythm XP: My awesome teammates. I like that we're able
to put so much hard work into training and still have lots of fun with each other on the
ground and in the air.
Favorite moments with the team: Any competition, but particularly this years nationals.
It was so great to see all of our training and teamwork come together. And then of course,
Superman – Banana!
Outside of Skydiving, one day I hope to: Sail around the carribean with Steve
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Rob Radez
Position: Inside Center
From: San Francisco, CA
Hometown: Westport, CT
Birthday:
First jump: May 2004
# Jumps: 900
Tunnel Time: 40h
Gear: Infinity, Sabre2 120, Optimum 143, Cypres2, TonySuit Pit Special, Pro-Track, Viso
Former teams: R4 (2008), Chakra (2007)
Skydiving Influences:
Hobbies / Activities:
Occupation: Software Engineer
Education Degree: Bachelors in Computer Science from MIT
Competition history:
- 2008: R4 - 1st place USPA Nationals Intermediate
How I got into Skydiving:
Team Nickname:
What I like best about 4-way:
What I like best about SDC Rhythm XP:
Favorite moments with the team:
Outside of Skydiving, one day I hope to:
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Steve Lefkowitz
Position: Point
From: Chicago,IL; hometown: New York, NY
Birthday: 5/27/1978
First jump: March 2005
# Jumps: 1,500+
Tunnel Time: 71h
Gear: Infinity, Sabre2 120 and 135, Optimum 143 and 126, Cypres2, TonySuit Pit Special, Pro-Track, Viso
Former teams: CSC Rubicon (2006)
Brian Darnell, Rich Madsen, Laurent Beaudouin, Kevin Naftzger (video)
Skydiving Influences: Chromy, Airspeed, Majik
Hobbies / Activities: Running, weight lifting, eating, reading, thinking about where I'm going to eat, Go, etch-a-sketch, dancing with the stars
Occupation: Strategic Sourcing Consultant
Education Degree: MIT (BS in Chemical Engineering), Ardsley High School
Competition history:
- 2008: CSC Rhythm XP - 1st place USPA Nationals Adavanced
- 2008: CSC Rhythm XP - 1st place Midwest Skydiving League AAA
- 2007: CSC Rhythm - 3rd place USPA Nationals Advanced
- 2007: CSC Rhythm - 1st place Midwest Skydiving League AAA
- 2006: CSC Rubicon - 1st Place Midwest Skydiving League AAA
How I got into Skydiving: JaNette convinced me to get in the Orlando wind tunnel
Team Nickname: Old Iron Thumbs
What I like best about 4-way: I love flying hard and fast and I love competition. The challenge to your focus, attitude, agility, stamina,
teamwork, coordination and communication is very rewarding.
Favorite moments with the team: In the landing area, giving the thumbs up to my teammates, and getting a
smile and a thumbs up back.
Favorite Movie: My Blue Heaven
Outside of Skydiving, one day I hope to: Have a great family, beat my personal best in the 5K, get good at the tenor sax
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Thiago Muradas
Position: Tail
From: Deland, FL
Hometown: Brazil
Birthday:
First jump: November 1994
# Jumps: 2,500
Tunnel Time: ~80h
Gear:
Former teams: Sebastian Tempest (2008-2009)
Hobbies / Activities: Cycling.
Occupation: Parachute Engineer - UPT
Education Degree: Electronic/Automation Technician from LAOSP Institute, Brazil
Competition history:
How I got into Skydiving: My 1st jump was a tandem when I was
10 years old. Both my parents were very active skydivers from the late
60's through the late 80's.
Team Nickname: None so far
What I like best about 4-way:
Best moments with SDC Rhythm XP:
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Jason Imamura
Position: Videographer
From: Half Moon Bay, CA
Birthday: October 31
First jump: July 13, 2002
# Jumps: 2,700
Tunnel Time: ~10h flying, ~240h instructing
Gear: Preferably something small and fast
Former teams: VFR, BDD, R4
Hobbies / Activities: Indoor Climbing, Hockey, Cars
Occupation: Full Time Skydiver, Former Auto Mechanic
Education Degree: Technical School for Automotive Technology
Competition history:USPA Nationals 2005, 2006, 2008
How I got into Skydiving: Thank my Big Brother for that one
Team Nickname:
What I like best about 4-way: Getting 5 individuals synchronized to act as 1
Best moments with SDC Rhythm XP: Finding out I made the team so far.
Outside of Skydiving, one day I hope to: Truly make an impact in somebody.s life someday.
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Laurent Beaudouin
Position: Tail
From: Chicago, IL (in the US since 2001)
Hometown: Arles, France
Birthday: March 1972
First jump: 1996 with the French army then June 2002 in the US
# Jumps: 2,300+
Tunnel Time: ~80h
Gear: Infinity, Katana 120 and 135, Optimum 143 and 126, Cypres2, TonySuit Pit Special, Pro-Track, Viso
Former teams: CSC Rubicon (2006)
Brian Darnell, Rich Madsen, Steve Lefkowitz, Kevin Naftzger (video),
CSC 4-Play (2005)
Dina Kafenshtok, Brian Stupec, Neill Gresham, Andy Metcalfe (video)
Hobbies / Activities: Various cardio exercises (running, plyo...), strength training, some yoga.
Occupation: Consultant
Education Degree: Master of Science in Mechanical and Industrial engineering, ENSAM (Paris, France)
Competition history:
- 2008: CSC Rhythm XP - 1st place USPA Nationals Adavanced
- 2008: CSC Rhythm XP - 1st place Midwest Skydiving League AAA
- 2007: CSC Rhythm - 3rd place USPA Nationals Advanced
- 2007: CSC Rhythm - 1st place Midwest Skydiving League AAA
- 2006: CSC Rubicon - 1st Place Midwest Skydiving League AAA
How I got into Skydiving: After 6 military jumps I made with the French army in 1996,
I always had this in the back of my mind. When I turned 30 in 2002, I decided it was time to try again, but this
time with a canopy that lands nicely!
Team Nickname: None so far, even if my teammates try to give me one
What I like best about 4-way: I like best the challenging aspects, both physical and mental. I really enjoy the excitement after a great jump
when the energy level and focus was so intense that you end up tracking away and pulling while screaming like if it was a first skydive!!
Best moments with SDC Rhythm XP: Nationals 2007 and 2008, especially the 1st rounds (pressure, pressure!), but you know everybody in the team will do his job.
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Brian Ball
Position: Inside Center
From: Houston, TX
First jump: September 2004
# Jumps: 1,700+
Tunnel Time: ~100h
Former teams: Ranch Pulse (2006-2007)
Hobbies / Activities: Soccer, Playing with my Dogs
Occupation: Simulation Engineer
Education Degree: PhD in Computational Mathematics; BS Physics & Mathematics
Competition history:
- 2008: CSC Rhythm XP - 1st place USPA Nationals Adavanced
- 2008: CSC Rhythm XP - 1st place Midwest Skydiving League AAA
- 2006: Ranch Pulse - Gold Medal USPA Nationals Intermediate
How I got into Skydiving: Went with some friends to do a tandem. I'm the only one who made another jump...
Team Nickname: ?? do I want to know ??
Best moments with CSC Rhythm XP: In the door on our very first exit as a new team and my first jump as IC
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Kevin Naftzger
Position: Videographer
From: Albany, IL
Hometown: Albany, IL
First jump: 1985
# Jumps: 3,000+
Former teams: CSC False Religion (2007); CSC Rubicon (2006); CSC Steele Breeze (2005); Good Vibrations (2004-2005); Dred Dogs (2003)...
Hobbies / Activities: Hunting, Fishing
Occupation: Electrician
Competition history:
- 2008: CSC Rhythm XP - 1st place USPA Nationals Adavanced
- 2008: CSC Rhythm XP - 1st place Midwest Skydiving League AAA
- 2007: CSC False Religion - 1st Place Midwest Skydiving League AA
- 2006: CSC Rubicon - 1st Place Midwest Skydiving League AAA
- 2005: Good Vibrations - 2nd place Midwest Skydiving League AA
- 2004: Good Vibrations - 2nd place Midwest Skydiving League AA
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Andy Metcalfe
Position: Videographer
From: Chicago (IL) via Toronto, Canada
Birthday: 5/30/1974
First jump: 1999, near Buffalo NY
# Jumps: 1,500+
Tunnel Time: 3h
Former teams: CSC Sirens - Alternate (2006), CSC 4Play (2005)
Former 4-way coaches: Robert Chromy
Former canopy coaches: Brian Germain
Other skydiving activities: Windy City Skydiving Team - Demo and CRW team
Hobbies / Activities: Skydiving, Skiing, Kayak
Occupation: IT Consultant
Education Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Competition history:
- 2007: CSC Rhythm - 3rd place USPA Nationals Advanced
- 2007: CSC Rhythm - 1st place Midwest Skydiving League AAA
How I got into Skydiving: Fullfill a lifelong dream. "One of those things I always wanted to do"
Team Nickname: I don't have one! ;)
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