When Anne and I moved to Chicago in 2010 we had not competed in 4-way formation skydiving (FS) since 2007. We were living in Virginia, and it was not easy to find competitive skydivers in the area around that time. The wind tunnels were a long drive and the economy was in a downward spiral. Backpacking in the Shenandoah made a lot more sense on the weekends. Based on a friend's recommendation, we started jumping at Chicagoland Skydiving Center (CSC) in Hinckley when we moved to Northern Illinois that summer. Getting back to competitive skydiving was something we wanted to do but it would take a couple more years before we had the time to dedicate.   

So you’ve decided to take to the skies. Hooray! We know that there’s nothing better than sharing that feeling with friends -- and we want to help. Here’s how to motivate your squad to join you in the wild blue yonder:

I drive four hours to skydive at Chicagoland Skydiving Center (CSC). I do this every other weekend (or more), for most of the midwest skydiving season. I live in Fort Wayne, Indiana, so CSC is not the closest dropzone to me, not by a long shot. I make this drive because it is worth it to me. And I’m not the only one that drives this far.

The 2016 season has begun. Hopefully, you were able to join us for USPA Safety Day to get your mind and gear ready to jump this spring. On Saturday, March 12, we gathered for refresher courses, announcements, a series of seminars, and afterparty at our Flight Deck Bar & Grill.

If you weren't able to join us, here's what you missed, and some helpful reminders to review as you get back in the air. Let's have a safe season!

The first time you're considering going skydiving, you probably aren't totally sure what to expect. We've compiled a lot of tips and answers to frequently asked skydiving questions, but sometimes you just don't want to hear from a company (it's cool, we understand). So we thought we'd share some advice from people just like you, who have already made their first jump. Take it from them - they've been there!