A closer look at how SIS events turn pressure into progression and community into long-term retention
We’ve all had that moment: sitting in the plane, checking our gear, and realizing, “I am one of the only women on the load.”
We love our brothers in the sky. They’re our friends, our skyfam, and our beer buddies. But sometimes, you just want to spend a weekend where you don’t have to “blend in” with the boys to feel like a skydiver. That is when SIS events change the game.
If you think SIS events are just about pink jerseys and low-stress jumps, you’re only seeing the surface. The real heart of these weekends happens in the spaces between the jumps. It’s a cultural reset that turns a solo hobby into a lifelong tribe, and a student mindset into a leadership legacy. For many of us, it’s the weekend that finally makes the dropzone feel like home, and what keeps us coming back.
The Psychological “Green Light”
In a male-dominated sport, there’s often an unspoken pressure to perform flawlessly just to prove that we belong or are capable. This “performance tax” can lead to a rigid flying style, where we’re too afraid of “letting our buddies down” to actually take risks.
SIS events create exactly the opposite: a “safe-to-learn” environment. When the pressure to prove your capability is replaced with a community that genuinely wants to see you win, something clicks. Skills that felt terrifying, like that new canopy turn you’ve been working on, a new transition, or taking a dock on a freefly jump, suddenly feel achievable.
When the ego leaves the hangar, progression skyrockets. You’re finally free to fly for yourself, making the “mistakes” that are actually the building blocks of mastery.
The Power of the Female Lead
One of the biggest struggles for young female skydivers isn’t the physical act of jumping—it’s the lack of a visible path forward. When every load organizer, instructor, S&TA, and pilot is male, a subtle message is sent. Many women can feel less welcome to take the next step and become coaches, instructors, or mentors in the sport. SIS events dismantle this by putting key female figures front and center.
When a new jumper with 50 jumps sees a woman leading a complex 12-way skydive, briefing a high-performance canopy landing, or organizing a flocking jump, the “see it, be it” factor kicks in. These aren’t just coaches—they are blueprints. They create that powerful sense of “I can do it.”
Having women in leadership roles also changes the language of coaching. It moves away from “just send it” toward technical, communicative mentorship. This inclusive leadership style is often exactly what a junior jumper needs to stay motivated during the plateau phases of progression.
When a young skydiver sees a woman she admires sticking with the sport through the ups and downs, she’s far more likely to stay—and eventually become the mentor she once looked up to.
Mentorship: The “Big Sister” Blueprint
At a SIS event, the “Big Sister” isn’t just a title, it’s a mission. This is where D-license rockstars reach back to A-license newbies. You get high-value advice on things that actually matter to the female flyer—nuances often overlooked in standard briefings.
The Practical Edge:
We’re talking about gear setups for smaller frames, managing canopy fear with technical precision, and navigating the social dynamics of being part of a male-dominated sport.
The Leadership Pipeline:
SIS events teach you more than how to fly or have fun. They teach you how to organize and lead. You learn how to take a group with diverse skill levels and create a safe, successful skydive while managing all its moving parts.
The Ripple Effect: Beyond the DZ
The impact of a strong women’s community doesn’t stop when you log your last jump of the day. There’s a ripple effect that changes how we carry ourselves both at the DZ and in the real world. It shifts our self-talk and our comfort level. When you spend a weekend successfully navigating high-pressure situations with a group of supportive women, that confidence carries into your career, relationships, and sense of self-worth.
The packing mat conversations and the beer at the end of the day? That’s the real glue. They create a global support system that acts as your literal—and figurative—reserve parachute… or, let’s call it what it is: a safety net. You’re not just building formations in the sky. You’re building a network of travel partners, career mentors, and lifelong friends who will be there long after the parachutes are packed.
Join the Tribe in Skydive DeLand May 1–3
Ready to stop being “one of the bros” for a weekend and start being one of the Sisters? We’re heading to Skydive DeLand for three days of high-energy flying, intentional mentorship, and seriously good vibes.
The Experience:
Expect world-class female organizers, skill-building loads for every level—from fresh off student status to seasoned pros—and the kind of after-jumping bonding that only happens when the sisterhood takes over the DZ.
The Goal:
Come for the coaching. Stay for the sisters. Leave with a full logbook and an even fuller heart. Join the Skydive DeLand SIS Event, May 1–3.Grab your rig, bring your questions, and let’s show the world what happens when women take over the sky.
