{"id":40493,"date":"2022-03-03T13:02:15","date_gmt":"2022-03-03T13:02:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=40493"},"modified":"2022-04-05T09:29:11","modified_gmt":"2022-04-05T09:29:11","slug":"so-you-wannabe-a-sponsored-athlete","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/so-you-wannabe-a-sponsored-athlete\/","title":{"rendered":"Becoming a Sponsored Athlete"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

So, you\u2019re shredding it and you think it\u2019s time the skydiving manufacturers recognized your talent with some sponsorship\u2026 <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Author Lesley Gale, proudly sponsored by Sun Path, PD, CYPRES, Cookie, Symbiosis Suits and P3 Skydiving
Image by Willy Boeykens<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Lesley Gale has been sponsored by the sport\u2019s leading manufacturers for more than 20 years. She has compiled advice on getting and keeping sponsorship, from companies and other sponsored athletes\u2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Be Patient<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may be sure you\u2019re going to be a National Champion but understand sponsors generally want some proof of success, such as competition results, records, running successful events. Compile a skydiving CV and, if it doesn\u2019t impress you, it\u2019s unlikely to impress others. It\u2019s better to add accomplishments and then make your approach at the right time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DO:<\/strong> Hashtag your aspirations on social media: #futurePDathlete #SunPathProducts<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DON\u2019T:<\/strong> Hashtag people who manufacture in the same area: #wannabeCYPRESsponsored #wannabeVigilsponsored. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A hot tip: if you are bitter towards a brand for not having invited you onto their team yet when you haven’t given that brand any real reason to do so, then hopefully reading this article will help! When you’re asking for any type of support from a business, and trying to go pro, conducting yourself professionally is the only way forward.<\/em><\/p>Matt Gerdes, CEO, Squirrel<\/a><\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Brit Chicks UK 8-way team, happy to be part of the CYPRES family<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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There are areas you can work on to be the type of athlete that companies want to sponsor…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CYPRES are aiming for being represented worldwide, in a certain amount in each country. Right now, sponsoring is dedicated to the top performer and world\/national known skydivers. Therefore a minimum of 2,500 jumps and at least 3 years in the sport is the base line. But in the past year we also extended our requirements, that the sponsored should be somehow connected to a community at a place. Like the local organizer\/photographer\/AFF teacher. <\/em><\/p>Jens Gosmann, Management Assistant, CYPRES<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Be Kind! Be the sort of person people want to jump with
Photo: Karina Kaiser loving jumping with Pete Allum, by Gustavo Cabana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Be Kind<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Be good to others. Sponsors aren\u2019t just looking for winners, they want role models \u2013 people who share their knowledge, inspire the community, make the sport a better place. Jumpers who give back to the sport, who are approachable, kind and act with dignity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given the choice between Skygod and the person who takes the time to jump with newer jumpers, is generous with their knowledge and time, and is generally well-liked, sorry Skygod, we\u2019re going to choose door #2<\/em><\/p>Performance Designs<\/strong><\/a>
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DO: <\/strong>Always be a good sport, even if calls go against you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DON\u2019T: <\/strong>Throw your G4 on the packing mat after a bad competition dive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two main criteria UPT<\/a> are looking for in their sponsored athletes are <\/em>character <\/em><\/strong>and <\/em>knowledge<\/em><\/strong>. We want our athletes to be the most fun and most informative skydivers on the dropzone! We don\u2019t just look for the best skydivers in town, but the ones that also align themselves to our brand.<\/em><\/p>Vector Athlete Guidelines<\/a><\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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‘Generous with their knowledge and time, and generally well-liked<\/em>‘ – Pete Allum and Julian Barthel came to mind \ud83d\ude42<\/strong>
Photo by Julian Barthel, proudly sponsored by PD, UPT, CYPRES, Tonfly and Alti-2
Pete is proudly sponsored by PD, UPT, Cookie, CYPRES, Sonic Flywear and LB Altimeters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Give Back<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mentoring others, sharing your knowledge, running events, improving the skill base, writing articles, inspiring others are all qualities that will impress a potential sponsor. Education makes our sport safer for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DO:<\/strong> Travel to events, you can spread your knowledge, learn a lot more in the process and build a network of contacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DON\u2019T:<\/strong> Be a big fish in a small pond by staying at your home DZ, you\u2019re missing opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I were to point to one thing it would be attitude, which encompasses judgment as well. How good you are is nothing compared to whether you’re a valid role model, and people like you. Attitude trumps skill, every time. We really appreciate people who can communicate kindly with newer jumpers, even when a new jumper does something silly. We only consider people who approach us with clear evidence of support and a solid track record of goodwill.<\/em><\/p>Matt Gerdes, CEO, Squirrel<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Sponsored athlete Roberta Mancino covered her latest Squirrel WS with the flavors of Italy – pizza, pasta, coffee, Nutella \u2013 a fun, eye-catching social media promotion \ud83d\ude0b
Photo by Avalon Wolf, at Niagara Falls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Educate yourself<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Read about the sport. Research different manufacturers, equipment, methods, coaching styles. Read safety articles on SkydiveMag.Com<\/a>, Parachutistonline<\/a>, etc. If you find gaps in your knowledge, ask the right questions to qualified people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decide which companies you believe are the best, and do sufficient research to be able to qualify why. Follow them on social media, follow their events, activities, sponsored athletes, go to their website. Try to understand their relationship with their athletes, their voice on social media and their goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DO:<\/strong> Question instructors, coaches and experts to improve your understanding and become a better all-round skydiver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DON\u2019T:<\/strong> Ask advice from the random dude sat next to you late in the bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work harder, jump more, understand the gear and the difference between other gear on the market. Touch and play with the equipment, hang out with your riggers, learn to repack your reserve. Learn to listen and to learn, it never stops. This will help us to keep a growth mindset and allow us to teach better. <\/em><\/p>

I like to fly\/try almost every wing on the market. I try and test all the helmets\/suits which are available, this will give me a better understanding of the market and I\u2019ll be able to have my own educated opinion. You will never see me in print or social media wearing my competitor\u2019s gear. This is a red flag, no bueno. <\/em><\/p>Will Penny<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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‘Learn to listen and to learn, it never stops<\/em>‘
Photo by Will Penny, sponsored by PD, UPT, CYPRES, Tonfly and LB Altimeters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Think about what you can offer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A relationship with a sponsor is a partnership, not a one-way street. Think about what you can offer to a sponsor, your innate awesomeness does not automatically give them a return. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some ideas: <\/p>\n\n\n\n