Above: Photo by Ioannis Vlachiotis.
Mahmoud Sharaf started skydiving a decade ago, and within a few short years changed the international skydiving community by creating Skydive Egypt. By working with local government officials, as well as the Egyptian military and Mustafa Saeed, they accomplished something not previously thought possible—jumping over the Pyramids of Giza. Years later, thousands of people have now had the experience of jumping over a wonder of the ancient world, and in 2023 Skydive Egypt officially became a USPA International Affiliate drop zone. Sharaf has proven to be an asset to the sport, and to skydivers from all cultures and nationalities who choose to travel to his home country of Egypt. As someone whose passion is overcoming obstacles, his future plans involve skydiving over Mount Everest.
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“Mahmoud has been a leader in the Egyptian skydiving community. He has brought skydivers from all over the world to safely jump the pyramids, and has worked tirelessly to expand the sport of skydiving into Bali and several other locations.” —Matt Yount, Parachutist profile #283
Age: 35
Height: 176 cm
Birthplace: Cairo, Egypt
Marital Status: Single
Children: No
Pets: No
Occupation: Founder of Skydive Egypt/project manager (engineering)
Education: Bachelor’s of electrical engineering
Hobbies: Skydiving, travelling, running, sports, food, hanging out
Favorite Food: Steak, burgers, pizza, desserts
Rock, Rap or Country? Country
Life Philosophy: Do it while you still can.
Hard opening or line twists? Hard opening
Neat packer or a trash packer? Trash packer
Would you rather swoop or land on an accuracy tuffet? Swoop
Team Name: Skydive Egypt
Container: United Parachute Technologies Vector Micron 308
Main Canopy: JYRO Crossfire 3 119
AAD: Airtec Cypres
Disciplines: Tracking and freefly
Home Drop Zone: Beni Mellal, Morocco
Year of First Jump: 2014
Total Number of Jumps: 1,100
FS: 400
Freefly: 300
Camera: 50
Balloon: 2
Cutaways: 1
What is the best part of skydiving over the pyramids in Cairo?
Not one specific story, but seeing people coming from all over the world to do the jump, and how amazed they are. I feel the magic and would do anything to keep their spirits high.
What was it like to jump there for the first time?
You wish you had a time machine, or to make time stop to spend longer seeing how incredible they are. Seeing the shadows from above is another level.
Most people don’t know this about me:
I seem cool and keep smiling, but I am stressed on the inside.
How long do you plan on skydiving?
As long as I physically still can.
What do you like most about the sport?
The release. Doing new things every jump. Getting to know new, amazing people.
What do you like least?
People with egos. My suggestion to students: Clear your ego and listen!
Who has been your skydiving mentor?
Omar Alhegelan.
I skydive because …
I love adrenaline.
What do you want those who haven’t skydived over the pyramids to know?
When you jump and fly your canopy between structures that are thousands of years old and visible from space, you feel an energy not comparable to anything else. (Add in the bonus of jumping from a C-130 Hercules.) We are on the seventh volume of the Jump Like a Pharaoh event now, and while it is a bit pricy, it’s truly a unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience.
What are your future skydiving goals?
To jump on each continent.
What safety item do you think is most often neglected?
Separation after group jumps.
If you could make everyone on the planet do something to make Earth a better place, what would it be?
Stop smoking. Throw your trash in the bin.
Most embarrassing moment while in freefall:
I tore my shorts all the way through and had to cover up with a jacket for the rest of the day.
Someday I am going to own:
A drop zone!
What do you consider your most significant life achievement?
Being founder of the Jump Like a Pharaoh event and helping make Egypt an attraction for international skydivers.
Last year Skydive Egypt became a USPA International Affiliate drop zone. What was that process like?
The process went smooth and easy; we had already gained an amazing reputation due to USPA members who had participated in our event before.
Worst skydiving moment?
A hard landing in Cypress that led to a fractured ankle.
Weirdest moment?
Losing my shoes during a jump in Dubai.
What is your perfect day like?
Any day that starts with waking up early and doing a workout.
Explain Mahmoud Sharaf in five words or fewer:
Passionate, committed, satisfied, always grateful. Pura Vida!