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Every weekend at Skydive Arizona, there are usually at least half a dozen jumpers over the age of 70. This group of Jumpers Over Seventy live by the saying by Bill Woods, “one does not stop jumping because you grow old; one grows old because you stopped jumping.” They have been skydiving for between 12 and 60 years, during which time they have completed between 1,400 and 14,000 jumps.
This year, recognizing that they had the numbers and talent to accomplish their goal, the Arizona Jumpers Over Seventy set out to achieve a new Arizona State Record, with a 16-person, single-point (one formation) jump. On January 29, 2023, during their second attempt, the Arizona Jumpers Over Seventy successfully built and held their formation for about 12 seconds – setting the state record! Check out this video of the jump: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nxMHAN427M
Photo Credit: John Lyman
| Jumpers:_____________ | Age:______ | Years:______ | Jumps:_____ | Birthplace: |
| Terry Gardner Alice Hicks Jeff Dement Glenn Hall David Robinson Perry Stone Lew Hart Paul Hinen Steve Woodford Tom Reiman Mike Groake Olaf Schistad Jerry Gleim Larry Reecer Gregory Robertson Mike Robinson | 72 78 71 75 72 72 70 81 73 71 71 71 70 73 70 73 | 31 55 30 26 12 44 45 60 55 25 50 16 20 40 28 22 | 7,000 4,300 2,400 4,000 2,200 14,000 4,700 2,750 10,660 8,300 4,050 1,450 3,300 2,650 3,200 1,400 | WI KS OH WI OH CA NY IN South Africa WY UK Norway NE IN VA IA |
As planned, the group gathered together at Skydive Arizona over the weekend of April 6-8. A few more Jumpers Over 70 from other states joined the January team. The group attempted to set a new AZ, US, and World record for JOS, with a 22-person multiple-point formation jump (multiple formations on the same jump).
The weather cooperated as they made four attempts on Thursday, four on Friday, and five on Saturday. The numbers dwindled as a result of
personnel schedules and other commitments. On the fifth and final jump on Saturday, there were just 16 jumpers remaining. To set a new World record with 16 jumpers, they knew they needed at least a two-point dive. To qualify as a different “point,” at least 35% of the jumpers must change a grip.
With 16 jumpers, the dive needed six jumpers to change a grip. A dive was designed with eight jumpers changing grips between each formation. The group of 16 boarded the plane, climbed to 13,000 feet, and completed an awesome four-point 16-man formation skydive.
After the successful jump, there was much celebrating at the local saloon! There is quote by Leonardo da Vinci that is near to the hearts of these skydivers; “When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there you have been, and there you will always long to return."
April 8 Skydivers: Steve Woodford, David Robinson, Gregory Robertson, June Urschel, Mike Robinson, Mike Groake, Mike Britting, Robert (Ray) Arthur, Jerry Gleim, Peter Godbold, Jeff Sanders, Al Hawthorne, John Hardy, Jim Krogh, Joe Pete Lorusso, Tom Reiman
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