Top Skydiving Stunts

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

If you thought skydiving was just about jumping out of a plane and calling it a day, think again! Some licensed skydivers are passionate about pushing the limits and achieving what many call “the impossible.” These athletes aren’t just daredevils and thrill-seekers – they’re highly-trained pioneers, showing us what can be achieved with courage, precision, and big dreams.

Whether it’s jumping without a parachute (yup, you read that right) or zipping through iconic landmarks, these wild skydiving stunts will leave you in awe and inspire you to dream even BIGGER! In no particular order, check out these top 10 skydiving stunts that will make your heart race and your spirit soar.

1. Travis Pastrana Skydives Without a Parachute

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to jump out of an airplane with no strings attached (literally)? Well, extreme sports legend Travis Pastrana did just that in this iconic ‘Skydive Without a Parachute’ stunt in 2008 from 12,500 feet above Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Relying on his team to catch him mid-air and hook him up to a special harness before landing safely on the ground tandem-style – this stunt was a true testament to trust, skill, and expertise, and showcased the beautiful, unshakable bond between skydivers.

2. Luke Aikins Skydives AND Lands Without a Parachute

Luke Aikins made history by becoming the first – and so far, only – person to skydive from 25,000 feet without a parachute AND land safely WITHOUT a parachute! His target? A giant net. This world-record-setting stunt wasn’t just about bravery, it was about meticulous planning and flawless execution. It’s the kind of achievement that shows us that with the right preparation, even the most unimaginable goals can be achieved.

3. Plane Swap

Imagine diving out of a plane, not to land, but to swap planes with your buddy mid-air!! That’s what skydivers Luke Aikins and Andy Farrington attempted in this daring stunt over the stunning Arizona desert in April 2022. Precision, control, and sheer mastery of the skies were on full display as they maneuvered their way through this challenge with two Cessna 182s side by side. Only one was able to actually pull off the stunt successfully, while the other safely deployed their parachute to avoid the aircraft. Who did it? Watch below to find out!

4. The Highest Skydive Ever

On October 24, 2014, Alan Eustace made the highest and longest freefall jump from the stratosphere at an impressive 135,890 feet above Roswell, New Mexico!! This broke the previous world record of 127,852 feet set by Felix Baumgartner in 2012. Eustace showed that skydiving isn’t just a sport, it’s a journey into the unknown. One that pushes the boundaries of human exploration and endurance!

5. Skydiving Into A Wave

In September 2024, Sebastián Álvarez combined the worlds of sky and sea by jumping from a helicopter at 12,000 feet above the Surf Abu Dhabi wave pool with a surfboard attached to his feet! Álvarez swooped gracefully above the water before cutting away his parachute to transition into surfing. The stoke was real when Álvarez completed this amazing, multi-faceted jump!

6. Worlds Longest Wingsuit Flight

In the world of wingsuit flying, endurance is key – and this incredible flight by famous stunt performers who call themselves the “Soul Flyers” set the bar high in 2014. Fred Fugen, Vincent Cotte, and Nic Scalabrino flew for over three minutes and covered a distance of eight kilometers (about five miles), keeping in contact the whole time while they flew over glaciers, ice cracks, and cliffs. This record-breaking wingsuit flight showed that with the right technique, teamwork, and a well-engineered suit, the sky is just the beginning of the limits.

7. Burj Khalifa Pinnacle BASE Jump

The famous Burj Khalifa, standing at 2,717 feet, is the tallest building in the world. For most people, standing at the top would be terrifying – but for the Soul Flyers, it was the perfect launchpad. In April 2014, Fred Fugen and Vince Reffet broke yet another World Record as they took an incredible leap from the pinnacle, soaring over Dubai, landing safely below, and proving that the tallest heights are meant to be conquered.

8. Wingsuit Into a Plane in Mid-Air

In November 2017, the Soul Flyers struck again in this intense wingsuit BASE jump into a moving plane mid-air stunt titled ‘A Door In The Sky.’ Fred Fugen and Vince Reffet BASE jumped from the top of the Jungfrau mountain in Switzerland, one of Europe’s highest mountains at 13,642 feet. Following their phenomenal BASE jump, they flew their wingsuits into a Pilatus Porter light aircraft in mid-air. Now that is one epic way to catch a flight!

9. Flying Through London’s Tower Bridge

On May 12, 2024, Marco Fürst and Marco Waltenspiel became the first people to jump from a helicopter at 3,000 feet and wingsuit through London’s defining landmark – the Tower Bridge – at an astonishing 246 km/h (153 mph). They were able to flare successfully to ascend and then deploy their parachutes before landing safely on barges in the River Thames, with support boats nearby. The duo trained tirelessly in Oxfordshire, using cranes to simulate the bridge’s dimensions with the opening 141 feet high by 200 feet wide. Wow!

10. Flight Mode by Tom Pagès

Red Bull motorsports takes things to new heights – as they do – with this FMX ride turned BASE jump. FMX legend Tom Pagès made history as he pushed the limits of the sport by combining freestyle motocross and freefalling off of a 135-meter (443 ft) cliff in Avoriaz, France.

Interestingly enough, Tom Cruise performed a similar stunt for his movie Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One where he jumped a motorbike off of a cliff and transitioned into a BASE jump – going down as the biggest stunt in cinema history!

Ready to take your first step into the extraordinary? Book your tandem skydive with Skydive Orange today, and start writing your own adventure – the sky is waiting for you! Blue skies.

Chris Posillico

I always felt secure in my actions because I knew that I was well prepared by my instructors and coaches.