Skydiving News

Parachuting, or skydiving, is an activity involving the breaking of a free-fall from a height using a parachute. It’s performed as a recreational activity, competitive sport, deployment of military personnel and occasionally, forest fire-fighters. The history of skydiving begins with descent from hot-air balloons by Andre Jacque Garnerin in 1797. Modern skydiving has been around for about 200 years. Early competitions date back to the 1930s, and it became an international sport in 1951. Skydiving has been used in the military in the early 1900s during World War I, and used in World War II.

Flying the parachute has two basic challenges: to land where planned, often on a target; and to avoid injury. On a more advanced note, some skydivers enjoy performing aerobatic manoeuvres with parachutes. An example of this would be the “Swoop”, an extremely exciting, but dangerous skill which entails a fast speed approach towards the ground, and then levelling off a couple of feet above the ground to cover as much distance as possible (as much as 600 feet), in a fast horizontal swoop.

A modern parachute or canopy “wing” can glide substantial distances. Elliptical canopies go faster and farther, and some small, highly loaded canopies glide faster than a man can run, which can make them very challenging to land. A highly experienced skydiver using a very small canopy can achieve over 60 mph horizontal speeds in landing.

A good landing will not have any discomfort at all, and will land the skydiver within a few feet of his intended location. In competitions, champion accuracy skydivers routinely land less than two inches from the centre of a target.

Nowadays, most of the skydiving related injuries happen under a fully opened and functioning parachute, the most common reasons for these injuries are badly-executed, radical manoeuvres near to the ground, like hook turns, or too-low or too-high landing flares.

Parachuting organizations

National parachuting associations exist in many countries (many affiliated with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)), to promote their sport. In most cases, national representative bodies, as well as prudent local dropzone operators, require that participants carry certification, attesting to their training, their level of experience in the sport, and their proven competence. Anyone who cannot produce such bona-fides is treated as a student, requiring close supervision.

Within the sport, associations promote safety, technical advances, training-and-certification, competition and other interests of their members. Outside their respective communities, they promote their sport to the public, and often intercede with government regulators.

Competitions are organized at regional, national and international levels in most these disciplines. Some of them offer amateur competition. Many of the more photogenic/videogenic variants also enjoy sponsored events with prize money for the winners.

The majority of jumpers tend to be non-competitive, enjoying the opportunity to “get some air” with their friends on weekends and holidays. The atmosphere of their gatherings is relaxed, sociable and welcoming to newcomers. Party events, called “boogies” are arranged at local, national and international scale, each year, attracting both the enthusiastic young jumpers and many of their elders — Parachutists Over Phorty (POPs), Skydivers Over Sixty (SOS) and even older groups who have yet to choose a catchy name for themselves. Famous people associated with this sport include Valery Rozov who is a gold medallist from the 1998 “X” Games, who has had more than 1,500 jumps. Also, there is Georgia Thompson (“Tiny”) Broadwick who is one of the first American skydivers, and she made the first freefall.

Parachuting Records

World’s largest freefall formation: 400. This record was set February 8, 2006 in Udon Thani, Thailand.

Don Kellner holds the record for the most parachute jumps, with a total of over 36,000 jumps.

Cheryl Stearns (USA) holds the record for the most parachute descents by a woman, with a total of 15,560 in August 2003.

Capt. Joe W. Kittinger achieved the highest parachute jump in history on August 16, 1960 as part of a United States Air Force program testing high-altitude escape systems. Wearing a pressure suit, Capt. Kittinger ascended for an hour and a half in an open gondola attached to a balloon to an altitude of 102,800 feet, where he then jumped. The fall lasted more than 13 minutes, during which Capt. Kittinger reached speeds exceeding 600 miles per hour.

Extreme outdoor adventure activities and sports do not come more exotic than those found in the beautiful and largely undiscovered (in terms of tourism) country of Kazakhstan. Comprising a territory of more than 2.7 million square kilometres, Kazakhstan is the world`s ninth largest country and is geographically larger than Western Europe. As might be expected of such a physically vast country, Kazakhstan includes just about every type of landscape imaginable from enormous rocky canyons and snow-capped mountains to flats, deserts and Taigas. Indeed, with a disproportionately small population of around 16.5 million and a relatively relaxed stance on religious freedom, Kazakhstan is a haven for outdoor adventure enthusiasts from all over the world.

One of the key sources of interest for extreme sports and outdoor adventure thrill seekers in Kazakhstan is the Celestial Mountain range, which is home to the 7,000 metres high marble peak of Kan Tengri. Hiking through this vast and magnificent mountain range is not merely a physically demanding experience – it is also of considerable spiritual value and, oddly, it also provides a number of opportunities to meet local people and nomads who live in this wondrous yet harsh terrain. Obviously, any trek through the Celestial Mountain range will require a solid, durable and comfortable pair of hiking boots (bring along an extra pair to be on the safe side). Furthermore, it hikers wish to tackle the Pobeda Peak at just under 7,500 metres, appropriate mountain climbing gear and equipment will be required and adrenaline seekers should expect an ice cold greeting at the snowy summit.

Camping out in the stunning Tyouk Kokpak canyon is also an adventure in itself, as hikers will be surrounded by untamed forests, the expansive Akkol Lake, steep mountain landscapes and variable weather systems. Fortunately for those who prefer to do more jaw-dropping sight-seeing than actual hiking, a helicopter ride will take tourists up to a base camp on South Inylchek Glacier at 4,000 metres. The helicopter ride is an exhilarating experience that transports outdoor adventure enthusiasts to one of the longest glaciers in the world. Indeed, amongst all of the breathtaking natural surroundings lies plenty of opportunities to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor adventure activities.

The mountains of Zailiskiy Alatau and the nearby Bolshoe Almatinskoe lake are also popular among extreme sports fans and outdoor adventure enthusiasts. Water based activities can be enjoyed in many places throughout Kazakhstan and Bolshoe Almatinskoe lake is certainly one of the more inspiring destinations. Nevertheless, the Kolsai Lakes are home to some of the most diverse water activities in Kazakhstan, with various pursuits including swimming, fishing (predominantly for trout) and, during the winter, ice skating available.

Kazakhstan is also of great appeal to those wanting to explore its mausoleums and ancient cities. As with any extreme outdoor adventure holiday, it is important to dress appropriately both in respect to cultural traditions and in order to maintain personal safety. Outdoor adventure enthusiasts should, therefore, buy roxy clothing for less demanding pursuits and proper adventure gear for difficult activities.