Parachuting

Parachuting, or skydiving, is a recreational activity, competitive sport and method of deployment of military personnel (and occasionally, firefighters). It involves the breaking of a free fall from a height through the use of a parachute.

Types of Parachuting

Once individuals have mastered the basic jump, there are several different disciplines to embrace within parachuting.

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Each of these is enjoyed by both the recreational (weekend) and the competitive participants. There is even a small group of professionals who earn their living with parachuting. They win competitions having cash prizes or are employed or sponsored by skydiving related manufacturers.

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Parachutists can participate both in competitive and in purely recreational skydiving events.

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World championships are held regularly in locations offering flat terrain and clear skies.

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An exception is Paraski, where winter weather and ski-hill terrain are required.

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Types of parachuting include:

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• Accuracy landing - Landing as close as possible to a target.
• BASE jumping - From buildings, antennas, bridges (spans) and cliffs (earth).
• Blade running - A kind of slalom with parachute.
• Big-ways - Formation skydiving with many people.
• Canopy formations - Making formations with other parachutists while under canopies. (Known also as canopy relative work or simply CRW)
• Canopy piloting - Also known as 'swooping'.
• Formation skydiving - Making formations during freefall. (Known also as relative work or simply RW)
• Freefall cinematography
• Freefall style
• Freeflying
• Freestyle skydiving
• Military Parachuting
• HALO/HAHO
• Treejumping
• Paraski
• Skysurfing - Skydiving with a board strapped to your feet.
• Wingsuit flying - Skydiving with a suit which provides extra lift.