From recovery and health to joy and world-first ambitions, leaders across skydiving, BASE, and tunnel share what they’re focused on heading into 2026
We asked leaders across the sport to share how they’re looking at the year ahead.
The range is wide, from simple goals around recovery and fitness to first-ever stunts and long-term projects. What’s consistent is clarity. Everyone here is heading into the year with a clear sense of direction.
Beau Riebe
The main thing I will work on through the year, the thing that lurks in the back of my mind and forever pushes me forward, is landing a pop up barrel roll. It’s not necessarily a goal I expect to accomplish since I need practice, practice, practice, which requires funding and a lake for repeated jumps, but it is definitely a goal that I will continue to dream about.
Max Manow
A lot of these New Year’s resolutions are basically standards I live by all year round but it’s nice to remind myself of priorities and adjustments for a coming year. The first and most important thing for me is health. Looking after body, mind and soul. The goal is to get fitter than I was in 2025.
With regards to the sport: Keep a positive attitude, be patient, be humble, be motivated.
Trust your gut feeling and act on it!
Learn something completely new and do more jumps without a camera.
With regards to the job:
Keep a good work – life balance
Charge what you’re worth!
Mark ‘Trunk’ Kirschenbaum, US
For 2026 I’m focused on getting in better shape so I can fly comfortably and confidently under slower, larger formations and keep the old-man aches from slowing me down.
Julie Kirschenbaum, US
I’m planning to hit more skills camps and leverage outside coaching this season to sharpen my canopy and vertical skills. My goal is to branch out and really build my confidence across a wider range of flying styles.
Cornelia Mihai, Dubai
I want to win Pink Open 2026 (I keep trying for so many years ) and the World Championship in Eloy , Arizona. I also want to become more proficient flying wingsuit so I am safer base jumping and in February I will compete in a 2-way dynamic competition in Finland and hopefully me and my teammate will fly at the best of our abilities.
Luke Rogers, AUS
For 2026, my goal is to raise my standard through consistency. That means disciplined wingsuit training, intentional nutrition, and structured physical preparation. One word defines it all: discipline—the daily commitment to long-term performance and growth.
Jamie Webster, Dubai
My new years resolution is to continue investing in my personal growth and jump for fun as much as possible. Keeps me from getting burnt out and reminds me why I started jumping.
Aurel Marquet, EU
My main goal remains unchanged from previous years as I move into 2026: to share my enthusiasm for human flight and to create meaningful, memorable experiences. Skydiving continues to be an incredible opportunity to travel, to meet people, and to connect with the many different cultures within our global community.
I also want to keep giving back, passing on the knowledge that was so generously shared with me throughout my years in the sport, while continuing to learn from others in return.
After investing deeply in wingsuit flying over the past few years, and more recently organizing some dedicated windtunnel training this winter, one of my focus for 2026 is to further develop my skills in wingsuit freefly skydiving, exploring new dimensions of movement, control, and expression in flight.
Rafael Schwaiger, EU
I have only one goal, and it’s the most important thing for anyone no matter the position, level and life circumstances —> Being in good health.
Pete Allum, EU
Get strong. I just dislocated my clavicle in the mountains, so job one is to really pay attention to my body during recovery and then build back to full strength and beyond.
For skydiving goals:
Make 300 fun jumps that I pay for, so that I can work on my own skills and enjoyment.
Filippo Fabbi “Ippo”, EU
My goal for 2026 is to enjoy full power every jump! Like I always do! And to teach what is really important in skydiving (part of that is also enjoy no matter what).
Dante Wardlaw, US
In 2026 I have plans to start specific training for several projects/worlds first attempts I want to pursue within the next 1-3 years. For one project, training will involve lots of skydiving and high performance canopy flying in preparation to perform a worlds first maneuver. I have two other projects that will be more drawn out due to the scope of logistics and necessary practice required. This year I will start working towards those by doing a number of high altitude tandem paragliding flights and lots of data acquisition for a worlds first speed flying stunt as well. There is a lot on the plate to juggle between working my “normal” job as well as training for 3 “worlds first” stunts in 3 different aerial sports disciplines. I’m really fired up for this next year with targeted training in mind and additionally another year of having what feels like way too much fun with all my best friends and meeting new friends along the way.
Cara King, US
- I’d like to double the flocking jumps I made last year at a minimum which would be 300 in 2026.
- I’d like to make at least 100 coached hop and pops dedicated to my swoop training.
- I will attend, as a participant and a leader, at least 5 flocking camps.
- I will coach a minimum of 150 students with Flight-1 in the fundamentals of 101 and 102, which will total roughly 1,800 student jumps.
Timothy Parrant, AUS
My new years resolution for skydiving is to be more supportive to new skydivers – this can be just helping out more with their first formation jumps or even packing lessons as I feel we loose a lot of new skydivers during this stage because everyone is too busy to give them attention so they become neglected.
