What changes occur in skydiving?

Answer 1

Over the years, the extreme sport of skydiving has developed a lot. In the 1950's during the advent of the first civilian parachute centres, round parachutes were used. In the 1970's ram-air 'wing style' parachutes became the norm which allowed for soft landings and the ability to jump in higher wind conditions safely.

The biggest changes which have occurred in skydiving have been in the type of disciplines with which you can compete in. Originally, it was only canopy accuracy - i.e. landing on a cross. Since then, freefall disciplines have arrived:

• Canopy Relative Work (CRW)
• Formation skydiving (FS)
• Freefly
• Freestyle
• Vertical Formation Skydiving (VFS)
• Wingsuiting
• Canopy swooping

One of the most recent developments at the dropzone where I skydive at is called Speed Skydiving. I jump at Skydive Hibaldstow in Lincolnshire and at that dropzone, we aim to go as fast as we can over the vertical kilometer (8800ft to 5600ft approximately). Speeds in excess of 250mph can be achieved.

If you want to enter the sport, the best place to start is with an Accelerated Freefall course. Over 8 levels or jumps, you will learn how to jump, to handle your parachute, to navigate and to control your body in freefall. It's a lot of fun!