This upcoming Memorial Day weekend will mark our 20th Season since we opened the doors to our current operation just north of the little bustling town of Ottawa, IL. With so much to celebrate, we decided to make sure to do it right. “What’s doing it right” mean, you ask? Well, for starters, we are offering $20 jump tickets all weekend long starting on Saturday and ending on Monday. Have that friend who wants to do a tandem? You can let them know that SDC will be discounting tandems to $189 for the weekend as well. There are prizes, random t-shirt give-a-ways, a surprise from Eat Up coming, and we will even be rocking out down at the Tiki with our very own Cisco Dragon as he sings and plays while we gather with friends and family. Make your plans now and join us for a fantastic weekend at Skydive Chicago!
While this weekend is full of fun an prizes, we really should take a moment and look at what’s been accomplished at Skydive Chicago over the last 20 Years. You know, really see what has made us stand out in the world of skydiving and why we should be celebrating our favorite dropzone.
World, National, State & Guinness Records
1998 Home of the 246-Person Largest Formation Skydiving World Record
1998 Guinness Book of World Record 259-Person Largest Formation Skydiving World Record
2001 POPS 40-Way Illinois State Record
2002, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2014 Host of the USPA Skydiving National Championships
2005 18-Way Women’s Vertical World Record
2007 POPS 64-Way Illinois State Record
2007, 2009, 2012, 2016 Largest Vertical Formation World Record
2009 First ever US National Wingsuit Record, 25-Way
2011 Women’s 9-Way Wingsuit National Record
2013 Head Up 15-Way State Record
2015 Women’s 32-Way Sequential National Record
2015 Women’s 39-Way Women’s State Record
2016 Home to the first Mondial in the USA (the largest global skydiving competition, hosting all disciplines at one skydiving center)
2017 Sequential 111-Way State Record
2017 Wingsuit 29-Way State Record
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yooe5JFlibM
Special Events & Awards
* 16 Annual Summerfest Events
* 2010-2017 Blue Skies Magazine’s “Best Big Drop zone”
* Venue for Movies/TV and/or for Practice: Rampage, Transformers, Airplane Repo Program
Famous Guests
* Benny the Bull from Chicago Bulls
* Black Hawks mascot, Tommy Hawk
* Bears Super Bowl Quarterback, Jim McMahon
* Former banta-weight UFC Champion, Eddie Wineland
* Location for Author, Stuntman – Anthony Martin
* Preferred choice of Golden Knights for VIP Tandems
Relief Efforts
* 2010 Haiti earthquake
* 2017 Puerto Rico
Drop Zone Owner, Rook, is particularly excited to celebrate this year. “The calendar for this year is chocked full of great events for all skill levels of skydivers, and the 2019 calendar is even getting booked! It’s humbling to have so many people want to do their events here. It’s a tip of the hat to the team as everyone puts their hearts and soul into it. However, what I’m really excited about is celebrating Skydive Chicago’s 20th Anniversary. The operation originally opened south of it’s current location in 1993, but this is the 20th Anniversary being at our current location.” And celebrate we will!
Skydive Chicago is the place to discover the sport of skydiving. From your first jump, to A-license and beyond, Skydive Chicago has opportunities for you to meet other skydivers and learn all you can to progress your skills. Some of this year’s highlights will include the Vertical Sequential World Record in June, Summerfest at the end of July, and the Largest Vertical Formation in August.
“I look forward to an incredible year and hope to see you here!” wraps up Rook. “It’s going to be one for the record books!”
Experienced jumpers! Check out details on the Memorial Day Boogie on our Facebook Page!