By Jack Peploe
Be honest: did you start skydiving because you saw a video of someone in a wingsuit, and the electricity of it propelled you to make your first tandem jump?
You might have gone immediately in another direction after your AFF – and haven’t so much as waddled around a living room in your friend’s old Phantom – but still, there’s a statistically good chance that the idea of wingsuiting is what brought you into the fold.
…Perhaps this season is your season to, finally, give it a go?
Pawel-Kowal
Wingsuiting in the UK is experiencing a spectacular renaissance. It’s a time of vibrant growth and excitement within the community, drawing both seasoned skydivers and curious newcomers eager to experience the unique thrill of wingsuit flying.
That opening story is mine, anyway, as much as it is for so many others. Wingsuiting is the ambition to experience human flight. It’s the reason I got involved with skydiving in the first place, and it’s still my greatest love in the sport. In February, I took on the role of Wingsuit TEA for British Skydiving, with a charter to steer the UK’s wingsuit discipline towards excellence.
I chose to pick up the role of Wingsuit TEA because I wanted to re-energise the wingsuiting discipline to what it used to be, from how people have described it. My goal is to lead innovation, build our community and work toward enhancing our collective skills and safety. I want us all to guide the wingsuiting discipline into an even more exciting future – with a collaborative, respectful spirit.
And so, I ask you: are you with me?
Let’s fly.
FIRST: SOME MISCONCEPTIONS TO BIN
Often, the uninitiated view wingsuiting through a lens tinted with tales of danger and dramatic mishaps – tales that are most often told by those who have never donned a wingsuit themselves. Campfire ghost stories abound: catastrophic flat spins, head-pinning line twists, tragic collisions. The fact is that such incidents are rare, and utterly overshadowed by the exhilarating reality of wingsuiting.
Skilful wingsuit flying is a study in harmony. It’s losing yourself in the power of a dynamic, choreographed ballet in the air. It’s launching from an aircraft to join a flock of colourful points streaking across the sky, either moving together in blissful synchrony or playing with ever-evolving patterns mid-flight – changing formations, orientations and positions with other flyers. It’s experiencing a profound sense of unity and artistry that has no real equal, either within the sport or outside of it.
Performance flying offers a different dynamic, inviting flyers to traverse vast distances at incredible speeds, harnessing every ounce of their suit’s capabilities.
Then there’s Acrobatic Wingsuit Flying (Acro), where pilots perform intricate manoeuvres in close formation to showcase their style and precision. This is, arguably, where the raw skill of a wingsuiter is tested – blending creativity with the adrenaline of flight.
If you don’t want to leave your unsuited friends behind (and they fly a particularly zoomy parachute), you can tackle the challenge of Cross Relative Work (XRW) together – or you can even play with a fixed-wing pilot and fly in formation with an aircraft.
Even more gonzo experiences lie at the fringes. Take high-speed Exits, for instance, where flyers gain significant altitude, very quickly. In general, innovation and boundary-pushing uniquely define this discipline.
DON’T GO ALONE
I’m proud to say that the UK wingsuiting scene is supported by a robust community network. Flyers, both new and experienced, throng together in Facebook and WhatsApp groups, where they share experiences, seek advice, coordinate flying sessions and generally back each other up. This sense of community is vital in a sport that is as challenging as it is rewarding, providing a supportive environment for learning and growth.
For those looking to advance their skills, the website Wingsuiting UK proves an invaluable resource. It offers access to experienced coaches, detailed articles on various aspects of wingsuiting, and regular updates on the latest techniques and technology in the sport.
PREMIER EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
The UK is rich with events that cater to wingsuiters of all skill levels. The Flying Circus, for instance, orchestrated by the infamous Konrad Wysocki, often tours UK dropzones to level up keen flyers. Wings of Hintonia, hosted by the legendary Chris Berte at Hinton Skydiving Centre, is also renowned for its inclusive atmosphere, welcoming wingsuit flyers from novices to experts.
Additionally, indoor wingsuit tunnel camps (led by the incomparable Chris Judd) are particularly beneficial for those looking to progress safely and confidently in the sport. These offer a controlled environment for flyers to refine their skills, isolated from the often-daunting variables of outdoor flying.
When you’re ready to go big – or simply to familiarise yourself with the competitive events and format – you’re warmly welcomed to rock up to the Wingsuit Nationals. The 2024 event is set to be at Skyhigh Skydiving, Peterlee, from the 26th to the 28th of July.
PLAYING THE GLIDE GAME
The UK wingsuiting calendar saw a new entry recently that I’m particularly excited about: the Glide Games, at Sibson. This acrobatics scramble event is open to wingsuiters of all levels, from the newest baby bird to the flintiest stone-cold badass, and focuses on the intersection of creativity and skill enhancement. Over two exhilarating days, participants receive expert coaching, engage in innovative flying routines and compete to showcase their abilities. The event is a testament to the community’s dedication to fostering talent and pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in the sky.
A CALL TO THE SKIES
Achieving a WS1 certification is not the culmination of a wingsuiter’s journey. Rather, it’s the beginning of a thrilling adventure that goes well beyond learning how to grip a gripper and navigate a pattern.
There has never been a better time to get involved in wingsuiting in the UK. The support network is immense, and the opportunities for learning and advancement are boundless. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine advanced skills, the community is eager to welcome new members. Engage with fellow wingsuiters through social media, participate in events, and explore the resources available on the Wingsuiting UK website.
As the UK wingsuiting community continues to grow and thrive, the opportunities for adventure and camaraderie in the skies are endless. Whether you’re taking your first flight or your hundredth, the skies offer a unique blend of freedom, excitement and challenge that is absolutely unmatched.
It’s time, my friends, to fly.
BIO:
Jack Peploe is the current UK Wingsuit Technical Excellence Advisor (TEA), two-time UK national Acro champion (with the Turbo Ice Cloud wingsuit team) and an enthusiastic wingsuit coach, to boot. Jack embarked on his skydiving journey in late 2018 and has since completed nearly 700 jumps.
Passionate about wingsuiting, Jack is dedicated to advancing the discipline in the UK. His efforts are focused on leading innovation, building community, enhancing skills, and ensuring safety, with the goal of steering British wingsuiting towards a bright and collaborative future.
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