An international group of skydivers broke the Féderátion Aéronautique Internationale World Record for Largest Head-Up Formation Skydive by flying an 84-way during the Upright World Record Attempts at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, Illinois, July 22-26.

Sebastian Alvarez, D-32538, was a pro surfer and a Chilean Air Force pilot (flying helicopters and planes alike) in his home country before he donned his first wingsuit.

The five members of professional skydiving team ToraTora—Jarno Cordia, Willem de Groot, Rene Terstegen, Martijn Van Dam and Jasper van der Meer—put together a magical week of skydiving and other adventure sports in Slovenia’s Soca Valley, adjacent to Triglav National Park.

At its 2018 summer meeting, the USPA Board of Directors chose Mike Horan, D-881, to receive its prestigious Gold Medal for Meritorious Service.

The USPA Board of Directors held its second meeting of the 2019-2021 term in Arlington, Virginia, July 12-14.

DZOs Mike Bohn and Leland Procell skim across the landing area at Orange Skies Free Fall Center.

Erin Lewis (pink helmet) organizes a 3-way for newer jumpers at the Cinco de Mayo Boogie at Skydive Orange in Virginia.

Gear damage happens in many ways: from normal wear and tear, sliding in landings, dragging rigs across the packing floor, etc. Surprisingly, one item that can cause significant damage is the keeper, the elastic band with which you stow your chest or leg straps.

At its summer 2018 meeting, the USPA Board of Directors adjusted the requirements for students obtaining A licenses to align with requirements for Féderátion Aéronautique Internationale Certificates of Proficiency.

Fashion model Gracen Taylor-Marie Kerr makes her first skydive with instructor David Fulk at CarolinaFest at Skydive Carolina in South Carolina. (Weird coincidence alert: The instructor, student and photographer on this jump all share the same birthday—December 11.)

Duffy Fainer, D-9662, makes his 4,000th jump in the center of a room dive during the Top Flight 20-Ways event at Skydive Perris in California.

USPA Executive Director Emeritus Norman Heaton, D-565, recently published “My First 1,000 Jumps—The Evolution of a Skydiver and the Organization That Became His Life,” a nearly 800-page, coffee-table-sized memoir that gives a comprehensive account of the events surrounding the world of skydiving, the Parachute Club of America (USPA’s predecessor organization) and USPA from 1961-1975.

In September 2009, 181 women set the Féderátion Aéronautique Internationale World Record for Largest Women’s Formation Skydive at Skydive Perris in California.

On June 14, Sigma—the company that provides electronic membership cards and credential verification to USPA members—announced that it has changed its name to Merit.

Cookie Helmets recently announced the release of its G4 helmet, which passed impact and snag-resistance testing to Skydiving and Wind Tunnel Helmet Standard XP S 72-600.

Jumpers at Skydive Perris in California release the ashes of longtime skydiver Bud Krueger, D-3664.

In early July, 11 classic accuracy competitors gathered at Skydive Toronto in Ontario, Canada, for the third meet of the AmeriCup North American Classic Accuracy tour.

Our sport has seen many innovators who pushed the limits and made the impossible possible. In the canopy formation community, one of those was Paul “Q” Quandt. A charming, kind and wild soul who left the world too soon in a motorcycle accident, Quandt was a superb CF competitor and formation skydiving camera flyer.

DZOs Mikeal Stevens and Angela Alley decided that a great way to celebrate Stevens’ 40th birthday would be to fly a 40-way formation skydive at their drop zone, JumpTN in Greeneville.