What are Development Events?

The Development Event scheme is an improvement on the one-size fits all approach of the ‘old roadshow’ programme. The Development Event scheme offers members of British Skydiving up to £1500 to support the running of a UK-based event that responds to the needs of those at an early stage of their skydiving journey (A licence and above). This might be in terms of developing skills, developing safety in the sport or developing a sense of community.

For example, a Development Event might bring in coaches in an area that a PTO is otherwise unable to offer, such as canopy training or wingsuiting.  It could be an event that gives jumpers a taste of competition. It could involve organising night jumps or providing a marquee and guest speaker at an event for under-represented group of skydivers. For more examples, take a look below at the Development Events that the Member Development Committee has already supported.

The scheme can be used to cover nominal fees for coaches, judges, cameraflyers, speakers or equivalent, or toward travel, subsistence and accommodation expenses, or things such as hire of equipment. The Development Event support also includes national recognition and promotion for the events, and applicants can request support in other forms too, such as mentorship or advice, or supply of British Skydiving paperwork.

Who can apply?

Any current full member of British Skydiving can apply for support from the Development Event scheme: from our new A licence holders to the long-established coaches and Chief Instructors. Applications can come from an individual, a team, a PTO or an organisation.

How can you apply?

If you have a good idea for an event, just get that idea down on the Development Event Application Form (339) and check that it meets the criteria set out on the Development Event Info. Sheet (341). Then, send the completed form to info@britishskydiving.org

All applications are forwarded to the Member Development Committee (check dates of MDC meetings and ensure that your application is received at least three weeks ahead of a meeting).

The Committee considers each application on its own terms with the aim of using the scheme to support a wide range of initiatives that offer the best value to members. How many events receive support depends on budgetary limits, which are set from June and vary from year to year.

In 2023 the Member Development Committee supported seven Development Event applications.

The events were designed to enhance skills across various disciplines. They  included the Tillstock Women’s Boogie, focused on Female Freefly (FF) and Formation Skydiving (FS), and the Glasgow & Edinburgh University event, centered on FS. The British Collegiate Parachute Association (BCPA) event offered FS, FF, Tracking, and Canopy Coaching. Other events included the 2 Way Vertical Formation Skydiving (VFS) at Langar, SkyHigh Visionairi and Uplift covering FS, Wingsuit (WS), Tracking (TR), and FF, the Rookie Rumble dedicated to FS, and the BUS Freshers 23, which emphasized Tracking. These events provided valuable opportunities for skill development and community building within the skydiving community.

• BUS – Freshers

  British University Skydivers (BUS) – Freshers

  Hosted at Skydive Hibaldstow, this event made sure new A and B licence university students had a great end to the season.

  The event included B and C licence briefs, a packing course, a bespoke Flight-1 103 course, coaching and load organising for FS, Tracking and FF and an informative talk programme.

• Rookie Rumble 2023

  Rookie Rumble

  Hosted at Skydive Langar, this event introduced FS beginners to the fun of a scrambles competition. Alongside helping rookies to learn new skills it also brought jumpers from DZs across the UK together, building skydiver connections and communities in the sport.

• 2-Way VFS

  2-Way VFS event hosted at Skydive Langar to help increase the grass root take up of Vertical Formation Skydiving.

• Accuracy Training and Competition

  Accuracy Training and Competition

  Hosted at Skydive GB, this event introduced jumpers to the canopy skills and equipment associated with Sport and Classic Accuracy and gave several participants their first taste of competing in Accuracy Landings and display jumping.

• Tilstock Womens Boogie

  Hosted at Skydive Tilstock, this weekend is focused on supporting women in skydiving. Every part of the operation at the weekend is run by and for women to provide a supportive environment for new women skydivers.

• Glasgow & Edinburgh University event

  Accordion content

• SkyHigh Visionairi and Uplift

  This event raised funds for Visionair and Uplift. Using 2 Aircraft to facilitate a skills camp for all levels in tracking, freefly, FS and Wingsuiting.

Planning an Event?

Got an idea but not quite ready to fill in the Application Form?

Use the contact form below to discuss your idea with the British Skydiving team.

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Development Events Photo Gallery

Rookie Rumble 2022

Brian and all the coaches were marvellous. Very encouraging. The organisation – which must have been a nightmare – was great and everything ran smoothly.  Met lots of lovely people and had six great jumps (although not necessarily accruing many points!).  Learned lots and feel more confident about what I’m capable of.  Left wanting more!

BUS Freshers

There was a lot on offer for different disciplines at different skill levels. Also, the party at the end was really fun and it was great getting to know loads of people from different universities that jump at different DZ’s.

Rookie Rumble 2022

Getting to jump with a different competitor and a different coach every round was great. Once the weather cleared the wheels didn’t stop turning. The event was a lot of fun and it’s great to be able to attend events aimed at people with low jump numbers. I started skydiving in 2009 then stopped in 2011 and re started this year. This event made me a lot more confident about the idea of putting a rookie 4 way team together for the UKSL 2023 and maybe even nationals. All the coaches were amazing and super helpful even whilst running around like crazy to make sure their next team were prepped and ready for the next round.

BUS Freshers

It was a great event for students from other university skydiving societies to meet and greet one another and jump together. Also to be introduced to packing and better canopy flying including load organising for their level. Getting coaching for FS, FF and TR was also fantastic.

Accuracy Training

A high level of experience to learn from, including the British Accuracy team and display teams