Skydiving Record Formation: A New Chapter in Our Sport
In August 2025, Skydive Chicago became the stage for one of the most ambitious projects in the history of skydiving: two 200-way skydiving record formation attempts at the same venue, at the same time frame. This “dueling 200s” concept had never been attempted before and pushed the limits of coordination, teamwork, and vision in large formation flying.
The Path to the 174-Way Vertical Formation Record
While the goal was a 200-person vertical formation, the team achieved an official 174-way vertical skydiving record formation, surpassing the long-standing 164-way set in 2015. Later that day, a 188-way was built, with only one flyer out. Though not official, it stands as the largest vertical formation ever flown.
The significance went beyond numbers. This project proved the viability of a new formation design, engineered by co-organizer Matt Fry after years of testing camps and research inspired by RW (belly) formation innovators. The structure was smoother, more stable, and adaptable under the pressures of large-scale flying. Combined with Rook Nelson’s vision and leadership, the results showed that the next frontier—the 200-way vertical record—is not a question of if but when.
Illinois State Skydiving Record: The 250-Way
Alongside the vertical formation attempts, Skydive Chicago also hosted the Illinois State Record 250-way belly formation, the first time a large belly-flying record has been held in the United States since 2003.
Organized by Doug Barron, this effort brought together skydivers from across the globe, overcoming tough weather conditions that forced the team to ride the airplanes down five times—just as many as the number of attempts. Despite the setbacks, their determination never wavered.
The media team, led by Elliot Byrd, captured the journey with stunning clarity. The lineup of camera flyers—Craig O’Brien, Trunk Kirshenbaum, Alex Swindle, and Elliot himself—documented every stage of the record.
World Records at Skydive Chicago
Skydive Chicago has long been home to world-record achievements. Hosting these historic moments cements its role as a global hub for innovation in the sport:
- 1998: 246-Way Largest RW Formation [VIDEO]
- 2005: 18-Way Women’s Vertical World Record
- 2007: 69-Way Vertical World Record
- 2009: 108-Way Vertical World Record [VIDEO]
- 2012: 138-Way Vertical World Record [VIDEO]
- 2015: 164-Way Vertical World Record [VIDEO]
- 2018: 3 & 4-Point 42-Way Vertical Sequential World Record
- 2021: 2-Point 77-Way Sequential Vertical World Record [ARTICLE]
And in 2025, the official 174-way vertical formation record joined the list.
Notably, several of today’s new world record holders—Bonnie Grant, Rook Nelson, and Sriraj Rajaram—all began their journeys in Skydive Chicago’s Advanced Freefall Program (AFP). What started as their first solo skydive evolved into world-class achievements. This progression is proof of how far a student can go when learning to skydive at SDC.
Beyond the Record: The Village Behind the Skydiving Formation
Breaking a world skydiving record formation takes more than skydivers. Chief Pilot Dave Schwartz and the 9 to 11-plane fleet provided the horsepower. A team of camera flyers documented each attempt with precision. Ground staff, packers, mechanics, loaders, manifest, the Jump Run café crew, and even Skydive Chicago’s instructors pitched in—making the event run smoothly from first call to last landing.
This effort showed that a skydiving record is truly a community achievement, woven together by hundreds of people working toward one shared vision.
The Future of Skydiving Record Formations
Though the 200-way vertical skydiving record remains unbroken, the 174-way set at Skydive Chicago marks a turning point. It proves that the next frontier is within reach—and that with better weather and continued innovation, the elusive 200 is not a question of if but when. And for the 250-Way IL State Skydiving record… while the record itself was hard-fought, the effort reinforced the spirit of resilience and global collaboration that defines big-way skydiving.
By the Numbers: Two Historic Records
For the first time in history, two massive formation records unfolded side by side at Skydive Chicago. Both teams battled weather delays, long aircraft rides, and the sheer logistics of flying dozens of aircraft in formation—but together they showed what’s possible when skydivers from around the world unite.
Vertical World Record – 174-Way (Aug 2025)
- Organizer: Rook Nelson & Matt Fry
- Goal: 200-way vertical formation
- Record: 174-way on the 6th attempt (official world record)
- Largest Formation Built: 188-way (1 off, unofficial but historic)
- Aircraft: 9 (2 Skyvans, 2 Casas, 5 Twin Otters)
- Working Time: ~60 seconds from exit to deployment; ~40 seconds to complete the build
- Participants: 22 countries represented; 82.2% men, 17.8% women
Illinois State Record – 250-Way Belly Formation (Aug 2025)
- Organizer: Doug Barron & Elliot Byrd
- Record: First large belly-flying record attempt in the U.S. since 2003; Goal 250-Way
- Media Team: Led by Elliot Byrd, with Craig O’Brien, Trunk Kirshenbaum, Alex Swindle, and Elliot capturing the action
- Aircraft: 11 (1 Sherpa, 2 Skyvans, 2 Casas, 6 Twin Otters)
- Participants: 45 countries represented; 27% women, 73% men
- Unique Challenge: Weather delays forced five aircraft ride-downs, matching the number of record attempts
- Legacy: A bold effort reminding the sport of the scale and spirit of belly big-ways
At Skydive Chicago, we believe record formations are about more than numbers—they are about inspiring the next generation of skydivers to dream bigger, fly smarter, and work together to push the sport forward.
