Thrillseekers take to the skies to set world record

The Advertiser

8 hours ago

Ben Toohey always wanted to go skydiving so when his 21st birthday rolled around, his family finally gave him the push he needed.
Alongside his mum, dad, sister and girlfriend, he teamed up to skydive as part of his birthday celebration in Wollongong, NSW.
But the "cherry on the cake" was finding out he was one of thousands taking to the air on Saturday to attempt a global record on World Skydiving Day.
"We just rocked up, and we're just being told about it ... and I just thought that was great," he told AAP.
"Everything was a cherry on the cake today, it was just ridiculous (I have) no words."
More than 30,300 skydives in a single day were recorded around the globe in 2024, with Australia ranked second behind the US with 2700 jumps across 33 drop zones in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.
However, it is hoped skydivers around the world will beat that record on Saturday.
Mr Toohey, like many other first-time skydivers, was nervous as he was putting on the safety gear and preparing for the big leap.
When he finally jumped out of the plane, the first of his family to take the plunge as the sun was rising over Wollongong beach, he said the feeling was "unreal".
"It was way different from what I thought and I'm glad I kept my eyes open, I was thinking about maybe closing them," he said.
By setting a new world record, advocates hope to raise awareness of a push to include skydiving as a sport in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
"To take that even further and showcase the professionalism of the sport and the dedication and athleticism of those who compete, we want to see skydiving included in the Olympics program," Australian Parachute Federation chief executive Stephen Porter said.
World Championships are already held in the sport, with skydivers competing across several categories, including formation, freestyle, speed skydiving, wingsuit flying, and canopy piloting.
The world's fastest female skydiver also wants to see the sport recognised in the Olympics.
"To represent Australia on the world stage for a sport I love is an incredible honour and now it's time to take the next step and see skydiving officially added as an Olympic sport for the 2032 Games," Queensland local Natisha Dingle said.
Ben Toohey always wanted to go skydiving so when his 21st birthday rolled around, his family finally gave him the push he needed.
Alongside his mum, dad, sister and girlfriend, he teamed up to skydive as part of his birthday celebration in Wollongong, NSW.
But the "cherry on the cake" was finding out he was one of thousands taking to the air on Saturday to attempt a global record on World Skydiving Day.
"We just rocked up, and we're just being told about it ... and I just thought that was great," he told AAP.
"Everything was a cherry on the cake today, it was just ridiculous (I have) no words."
More than 30,300 skydives in a single day were recorded around the globe in 2024, with Australia ranked second behind the US with 2700 jumps across 33 drop zones in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.
However, it is hoped skydivers around the world will beat that record on Saturday.
Mr Toohey, like many other first-time skydivers, was nervous as he was putting on the safety gear and preparing for the big leap.
When he finally jumped out of the plane, the first of his family to take the plunge as the sun was rising over Wollongong beach, he said the feeling was "unreal".
"It was way different from what I thought and I'm glad I kept my eyes open, I was thinking about maybe closing them," he said.
By setting a new world record, advocates hope to raise awareness of a push to include skydiving as a sport in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
"To take that even further and showcase the professionalism of the sport and the dedication and athleticism of those who compete, we want to see skydiving included in the Olympics program," Australian Parachute Federation chief executive Stephen Porter said.
World Championships are already held in the sport, with skydivers competing across several categories, including formation, freestyle, speed skydiving, wingsuit flying, and canopy piloting.
The world's fastest female skydiver also wants to see the sport recognised in the Olympics.
"To represent Australia on the world stage for a sport I love is an incredible honour and now it's time to take the next step and see skydiving officially added as an Olympic sport for the 2032 Games," Queensland local Natisha Dingle said.
Ben Toohey always wanted to go skydiving so when his 21st birthday rolled around, his family finally gave him the push he needed.
Alongside his mum, dad, sister and girlfriend, he teamed up to skydive as part of his birthday celebration in Wollongong, NSW.
But the "cherry on the cake" was finding out he was one of thousands taking to the air on Saturday to attempt a global record on World Skydiving Day.
"We just rocked up, and we're just being told about it ... and I just thought that was great," he told AAP.
"Everything was a cherry on the cake today, it was just ridiculous (I have) no words."
More than 30,300 skydives in a single day were recorded around the globe in 2024, with Australia ranked second behind the US with 2700 jumps across 33 drop zones in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.
However, it is hoped skydivers around the world will beat that record on Saturday.
Mr Toohey, like many other first-time skydivers, was nervous as he was putting on the safety gear and preparing for the big leap.
When he finally jumped out of the plane, the first of his family to take the plunge as the sun was rising over Wollongong beach, he said the feeling was "unreal".
"It was way different from what I thought and I'm glad I kept my eyes open, I was thinking about maybe closing them," he said.
By setting a new world record, advocates hope to raise awareness of a push to include skydiving as a sport in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
"To take that even further and showcase the professionalism of the sport and the dedication and athleticism of those who compete, we want to see skydiving included in the Olympics program," Australian Parachute Federation chief executive Stephen Porter said.
World Championships are already held in the sport, with skydivers competing across several categories, including formation, freestyle, speed skydiving, wingsuit flying, and canopy piloting.
The world's fastest female skydiver also wants to see the sport recognised in the Olympics.
"To represent Australia on the world stage for a sport I love is an incredible honour and now it's time to take the next step and see skydiving officially added as an Olympic sport for the 2032 Games," Queensland local Natisha Dingle said.
Ben Toohey always wanted to go skydiving so when his 21st birthday rolled around, his family finally gave him the push he needed.
Alongside his mum, dad, sister and girlfriend, he teamed up to skydive as part of his birthday celebration in Wollongong, NSW.
But the "cherry on the cake" was finding out he was one of thousands taking to the air on Saturday to attempt a global record on World Skydiving Day.
"We just rocked up, and we're just being told about it ... and I just thought that was great," he told AAP.
"Everything was a cherry on the cake today, it was just ridiculous (I have) no words."
More than 30,300 skydives in a single day were recorded around the globe in 2024, with Australia ranked second behind the US with 2700 jumps across 33 drop zones in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.
However, it is hoped skydivers around the world will beat that record on Saturday.
Mr Toohey, like many other first-time skydivers, was nervous as he was putting on the safety gear and preparing for the big leap.
When he finally jumped out of the plane, the first of his family to take the plunge as the sun was rising over Wollongong beach, he said the feeling was "unreal".
"It was way different from what I thought and I'm glad I kept my eyes open, I was thinking about maybe closing them," he said.
By setting a new world record, advocates hope to raise awareness of a push to include skydiving as a sport in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
"To take that even further and showcase the professionalism of the sport and the dedication and athleticism of those who compete, we want to see skydiving included in the Olympics program," Australian Parachute Federation chief executive Stephen Porter said.
World Championships are already held in the sport, with skydivers competing across several categories, including formation, freestyle, speed skydiving, wingsuit flying, and canopy piloting.
The world's fastest female skydiver also wants to see the sport recognised in the Olympics.
"To represent Australia on the world stage for a sport I love is an incredible honour and now it's time to take the next step and see skydiving officially added as an Olympic sport for the 2032 Games," Queensland local Natisha Dingle said.