Latest news with #WorldSkydivingDay
Time Out
a day ago
- Sport
- Time Out
Australia attempts record-breaking skydive in a bid to have it included in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics
Skydiving is one of those wild ideas that becomes even more insane the closer you get to the edge of that plane. It goes against every shred of logic and instinct, but there's a reason people do it all around the world. The thrill is as sky-high as the altitude. On World Skydiving Day (July 12), 2,590 Aussie daredevils joined skydivers and sporting bodies around the globe in an attempt to break the world record for the highest number of jumps in a single day. Sadly, wild weather grounded drop zones in Western Australia, meaning Australia narrowly missed matching its 2,726 jumps from 2024. Overall, 26,718 skydives were recorded across 24 countries, stretching from Australia and Angola to Greece and Guatemala – but it wasn't quite enough to top last year's world record of 30,351. Still, with the sport's popularity growing, Australia's peak skydiving body is rallying to get skydiving included in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. Australian Parachute Federation CEO, Stephen Porter, said, 'Australia performs incredibly well on the global stage, and what better way to showcase the gorgeous scenery of Queensland than with skydiving events held throughout the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.' Yep, jumping out of a plane is more than just a bucket-list experience; it's a legit professional sport. World Championships are currently held across a range of categories, including formation skydiving, freestyle, speed skydiving, wingsuit flying and canopy piloting. Why isn't skydiving an Olympic sport? Skydiving has yet to be included as an Olympic sport for a few key reasons: it's difficult to spectate, it's not easily accessible to the public, it's expensive and it's inherently dangerous. That said, progress is in the air – canopy piloting was featured at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, an event supported by the International Olympic Committee, signalling a potential step towards Olympic recognition. And skydiving still had its starring moment at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Closing Ceremony, with Mission Impossible star Tom Cruise plummeting into Hollywood to hand over the flag for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games. If you're going to jump out of a plane, the views have to be bloody good. Check out our guide to the most epic places to skydive in Australia.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tampa joins global push to break world record on 'World Skydiving Day'
In an attempt to set a world record on 'World Skydiving Day,' hundreds of people took to the skies Saturday to jump out of airplanes.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tampa joins global push to break world record on 'World Skydiving Day'
In an attempt to set a world record on 'World Skydiving Day,' hundreds of people took to the skies Saturday to jump out of airplanes.
The Advertiser
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Thrillseekers take to the skies to set world record
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.
West Australian
12-07-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Thrillseekers take to the skies to set world record
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.
