Hey, RedBull can do some good in surfing. Perhaps they should sponsor an “extreme” version of most innovative surf vehicle. This team has the right spirit: Rob Olliges Team Name: Finnister Pilot: Charles Lawrance Hometown: Fells Point, MD Some Flügtag contestants hope to fly. Some hope to float. Team Finnister hopes to swim. “Our plan is to first fly off the platform,” team captain Charles Lawrence explains. “I will be diving head first; when I hit the water I will plunge in many feet deep, then I will surface and plunge again, using the wings as fins to help me swim,” he pauses a moment. “It will be beautiful.” Whoa! Now, we don’t want to shake Lawrence off his new-agey high, but damn, is this really all going to work? “Probably not,” he says humbly. “But we’re hoping.” And so are we, friend, so are we. One look at this craft and you realize that these guys are serious about bringing their shroomy vision to life. Made of foam with a bamboo infrastructure and supported by a “surfboard from South Africa,” the entire fish suit will be coated in thin rubber, making it both aerodynamic and water-resistant. Huge, bat-like super lightweight Tyvek wings spring from its sides. Professional artists by day, the team will painstakingly hand paint the entire suit to the finest detail. Even the other members who will be pushing Lawrence off the platform will be decked-out in aluminum fishing lure costumes. Impressive, eh? Lawrence certainly thinks so. “I am positive we are going to win. We will look so good, and our craft will really work.” Fair enough. But when asked if the team plans to test their creation before the jump, Lawrence gets cagey: “No, not really. I mean, we’re anticipating it working really well.” Hmm, ok, not flying is one thing, but how about floating? “Uh, yeah, we’re planning on that too. I mean it should float, right?” Sure, it’s always safe to assume, especially when your life is at risk. We’re not saying we don’t believe Lawrence, we’re just saying as he “anticipates” flying and floating – and swimming – in his rubber fish suit we’ll “anticipate” our emergency services being well on guard to snatch his water-logged ass out of the bay. (Derek Arnold (Engineer), and Jeff Thomas (labor), Grant Goode, Stuart Wiess, all live in Fells Point, MD) http://redbullflugtagnewyork.com/team-bio.php?pilot_id=189 
Rob: This looks like a contest for team Swaylocks. Thanks for posting the site. Patrick