There aren’t many drop zones located within 20 miles of one another, and of those, there are even fewer that support each other. But California drop zones Skydive Elsinore and Skydive Perris have set an example of neighborliness for many years. Every year, they host Dueling DZs, a friendly competition where 6-way formation skydiving teams (handicapped for parity) take off from their home DZ and land at the opposing DZ.

Nine teams participated in the event on July 20 this year. Skydive Elsinore was defending first place, a title it has held for all six years of the event, with some strong teams. Skydive Perris also put strong teams together, hoping to grab the plaque and first-place medal away from Elsinore. Despite Perris’ effort, Protected Six (Keith Conners, Chris Farina, Josh Hall, Max Savin, Brian Schroeder, Zack Winoker and John Legge on video) successfully defended Elsinore’s title. The Fresh Princes of Perris Air (Kevin Baker, Caleb Brown, John Cavin, Josh Fisher, Devon Gergen, John Schroeder and Danielle Barlow on video) took advantage of the handicap system and took second place. Perris team The Eagle Has Landed (Tom Allen, Bob Bonitz Steve Briggs, Cathy Coon, Terry Duplaise, Dan Pillasch and Kevin Kierce on video)—named in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing—took third. 

Mary SantAngelo | D-9944
Perris, California