Sport
10 July, 2026
Skydivers jump for record
SKYDIVERS across the Far North will join a global push to break the record for the most reported skydives in a single day when the Far North Freefall Club hosts a full weekend of action for World Skydiving Day on Saturday, 11 July.
First time tandem jumpers and licensed skydivers will take to the skies to contribute to the worldwide tally, which last year exceeded 26,000 jumps, including almost 2600 from Australia.
The club will run a high performance 16-way formation skydiving camp, bringing together top competitors from Queensland and interstate.
The team will use the weekend to train for upcoming national competitions, with hopes of once again fielding a Queensland 16-way formation team, a discipline the state has not represented for several years.
Local free fly coach Wade Edwards, who has represented Australia internationally in Freestyle (Dubai 2012 and Chicago 2016), will lead organised jumps throughout the weekend.
The club says having a coach of his calibre is a major boost for developing skydivers in the region.
Licensed skydivers of all experience levels are invited to participate and help the club beat last year’s local jump record.
Bookings can be made via the Far North Freefall Club Facebook event page.
One of the weekend’s highlights will be a spectacular beach landing at Mission Beach on Saturday afternoon (weather permitting). Parachutists will touch down opposite Castaways Resort on Seaview Street, offering the public a rare chance to watch some of Australia’s most experienced skydivers descend against one of the country’s most scenic coastal backdrops.
“World Skydiving Day is a chance for people in the Cassowary Coast to be part of something much bigger than one drop zone,” said club president Wade Edwards.
“Whether you’re making your first tandem skydive or you’re an experienced jumper, every jump contributes to the global total,” he said.
The event runs from 9am to 5pm, with an action-packed schedule throughout the day.
Skydive Australia is also involved at their drop zones at Mission Beach and Cairns.
Participating Skydive Australia drop zones will host local activities including tandem skydives, sport-jumper activities, community events, charity initiatives, special guests, demonstration jumps and photo opportunities.
“World Skydiving Day is a chance for people to be part of something much bigger than one drop zone,” said Ken Stone, Experience Co group general manager.
“Whether someone is doing their first tandem skydive or adding another jump to their logbook, every jump can contribute to the global count,” he said.
Each skydive made on 11 July 2026 can be submitted through the World Skydiving Day reporting process, where personalised certificates can be ordered to mark participation in the event.
“Skydiving is often seen as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it can be so much more than that. It’s also a strong community, a sport with real pathways for training, coaching and competition,” said Chris Geiler, sports development officer at the Australian Parachute Federation.
“World Skydiving Day gives local drop zones a simple way to show the public what skydiving is really about – achievement, trust, courage and community,” he said.
