Catching Up With James Rogers

After a gold-winning performance with Landon Karaberis, and a jaw-dropping solo speed round, James Rogers reflects on the training, trust, and quiet moments behind the podium…

Congratulations on your recent wins at the World Championships! How did it feel to clinch the gold in the 2-Way Dynamic category with Landon?

It was surreal. Winning gold with Landon was the perfect end to a journey that’s been years in the making. We’ve pushed each other harder than anyone else could, and to stand on that podium with him felt like all the sacrifice, travel, and long days in the tunnel had come full circle.

Your solo speed round was insanely fast. What do you think made the difference for you in that round?

I think it came down to trust. Trusting my lines, trusting my instincts, and not second-guessing. I’d visualized that round a thousand times, so when it came time to fly, I let go of overthinking and just executed. That clarity made the difference.

Did the Airspace tunnel present any unique challenges? If so, how did you adapt?

Absolutely. The wind at Airspace is much slower than what we’re used to, which means you can’t rely on it to carry you. It really forces you to be precise, powerful, and efficient with your flying. We had to adjust by dialing in every movement and making sure there was zero waste in our lines.

Your partnership with Landon seems seriously dialed in. What do you think makes you two work so well together?

Honestly, we’ve flown together for so long that it’s second nature. We’ve built a bond that goes way beyond flying. We read each other’s energy, timing, and flow without having to say a word. That kind of synergy only comes from grinding side by side through both the highs and the setbacks.

How do you manage training for both solo and duo competitions effectively?

It’s all about structured time blocks and discipline. I carve out dedicated sessions for solo work where I focus purely on speed, control, and body awareness, and then separate sessions for team flow with Landon. Keeping the two mindsets distinct helps me stay sharp in both.

Are there any new disciplines or competitions you’re aiming to explore in the near future?

Yes! I’m heading to the Air Championships in Abu Dhabi. It’s real racing. You’re in the tunnel with four or five other people at the same time, all fighting to be the first to cross the finish line. It’s intense, fast, and demands precision under pressure. I’m excited to bring everything I’ve learned from competition into this new format.

You’ve already achieved significant milestones in our sport. What drives your passion and commitment to flying?

Flying gives me a feeling nothing else does. It’s complete freedom. But beyond that, it’s about the pursuit of mastery. I love knowing that I can always be better, sharper, faster. That obsession with refining every detail is what keeps me going.

How do you see your career in the tunnel and in skydiving progressing over the next decade?

I see myself pushing the boundaries of the sport. Not just as a competitor, but also as a mentor and innovator. I want to elevate the next generation of flyers, help develop new competition formats, and continue evolving what’s possible in the air.

What has been the key to developing such synchronicity with Landon in your routines?

Repetition and total honesty. We’d review every session down to the micro-movements and give each other direct feedback, even when it was tough. Over time, that built a rhythm between us that became almost telepathic.

Can you give us a peek into what your training looked like leading up to the competition?

We trained the entire year before the competition in a camp-style format: structured, focused, and progressive. Then two weeks before, we ran a bigger camp with heavier flying sessions each day. Once we got to Airspace, we kept that same high-intensity schedule to stay sharp.

What’s next for you after this win?

My main focus is shifting toward business now, and that’s where most of my energy will be going. But outside of that, I’ll be competing at the Air Championships in Abu Dhabi. This time, it’s real racing and I’m ready for it.

Anything else you’d like to share?

If I had to summarize what this was, it wasn’t just a competition. It was a lifetime of moments that led to one final flight. It was the pain no one saw, the hours no one counted, the times we questioned if we were even good enough to keep going. It was waking up early when our bodies ached and staying late when our minds were already tired. It was sacrifice of time, comfort, even relationships. Because something in us refused to settle for anything less than everything.
We gave it all. Every ounce of who we were went into this. And somehow, in the middle of the chaos, the pressure, the noise, we found something quiet. Something powerful. We found each other. We found belief. We found a kind of purpose you don’t stumble into.
And now that it’s done, we don’t walk away with regret.
We walk away full.
Because we didn’t just finish.
We finished as the absolute best version of ourselves.

Who are your sponsors?

I’m proud to be sponsored by Tonfly for both suits and helmets. It’s a company I truly love – top-tier quality, incredible people, and gear that’s helped me perform at the highest level. I wouldn’t want to fly in anything else.