Skydiving Over Ancient History
When you receive an invitation to be an official camera flyer for “Jump Like a Pharaoh”— in my case, for the sixth time — you know you’re in for something extraordinary…
Epic Jumps, Unforgettable Views
Set against one of the most iconic backdrops on Earth, this year’s event (Volume 7), held from October 28th to November 2nd, gathered over 200 skydivers from 34 different countries for six days filled with unforgettable jumps and a delightful culture shock!
With more than 1,250 jumps from an altitude of 15,000 feet, we experienced everything from tandem jumps to freefly, belly flying, wingsuiting, and even skysurfing. The thrill of a C-130 night jump was a serious treat for both skydivers and camera flyers. Describing the feeling of jumping over the Pyramids under a starry sky, with the city of Cairo glowing on the horizon and the Pyramids standing majestically against the desert night, is nearly impossible. It’s an experience that leaves you speechless, which is quite a feat for most of us skydivers.
Safety First: A Near-Perfect Record
Skydiving can be quite the adventure, but our top priority is always safety. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our amazing organizers and staff, we’re thrilled to report that there were zero injuries across hundreds of jumps — what an incredible achievement! We only had one cutaway, which shows just how well our team prepared for every possible scenario, making sure our skies were smooth and safe from start to finish.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
This event wouldn’t have been possible without an incredible team working behind the scenes. Skydive Egypt, led by Mahmoud Sharaf and Mustafa Saeed, executed another fantastic event, tackling surprise challenges with professionalism. One of the reasons why this event is so cherished and popular. “Managing” a C-130 (Hercules) is no easy task, but Herman Landsman and Dario Jotti ensured everything – and everyone – stayed on track.
Load organizers, Omar Alhegelan, Karin Joly and Greg Crozier (Airwax), Lucas Luketa, Zun (Stefane Zunino), and of course Herman Landsman with Dario Jotti , infused each jump with a new level of excitement, ensuring every participant had the time of their life.
Shout-Out to the Camera Flyers
Capturing the magic of every jump takes skill, focus, and a great team. This year, I got to fly with Bruno Brokken, Wendy Smith, and Anthony Armendariz—all legends in their own right. Contributions also come from Matt Landsman, Sebastiano Jotti, and Nicolas Puffer, who filmed tandems and also quite a few groups of fun jumpers.
We all had our own point of view on this historic event, from solo shots to huge formations. The excitement of jumping over the Pyramids is like no other and, with these talented flyers, it’s even more fulfilling. It’s about keeping the memories and sharing that experience with all those back on solid ground!
Tandem Instructors: The Ultimate Guides
The tandem instructors were great, affording first timers the time of their lives with total safety and professionalism. Chris Whitley, Yovness, Charlotte, Dennis, Josh Zerlan, Bob Draijer, and Eric Van Hooijdonk did a fantastic job handling each jump, from preparing the passengers to bringing them down with smiles – and sometimes tears – of joy. They made sure that each tandem over the Pyramids was an unforgettable experience for the passengers and the onlookers watching them float down over Giza.
Special thanks go out to our packers, who made sure everyone’s gear was good to go for each jump. Their hard work kept us in the air safely, no small feat.
The Night Jump: Challenge Accepted
The night jump over the Pyramids was both a highlight and a challenge. As a camera flyer, capturing clear, high-quality images in near darkness is tricky – but the breathtaking view made this challenge super worthwhile. There’s something surreal about witnessing the Pyramids illuminated, with Cairo’s lights twinkling in the distance and silence enveloping you. It’s hard to describe the sense of wonder that hits you mid-air over Giza at night.
Gratitude All Around
A huge thank you to all fellow skydivers, the staff, and Skydive Egypt for making this event another unforgettable experience. It’s a true joy to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new friends in such a legendary location.
Jump Like a Pharaoh Volume 8
We’re already looking forward to next year’s “Jump Like A Pharaoh Volume 8 – 26-31 October 2025
FFI:
Video – Jump Like a Pharaoh Vol 7
Video by Ioannis Vlachiotis
