For Brad Hunt, the sky is not just a playground – it’s home. With over 14,000 jumps under his belt and 25 years in the sport, a collection of world records, and a passion for freefly, Brad has cemented himself as a leading figure in the skydiving community. As the founder of 1 Point Skydiving, he has dedicated his career to coaching, mentoring, and growing the sport he loves.
When I met Brad for this interview, I immediately felt the good vibes that seem to embrace him – his energy is infectious, and his passion for skydiving is undeniable. He lives and breathes this sport, for the thrill, the camaraderie, the challenge, and his sheer love of flying.
Brad shared with us the story of his first jump, and the journey that led him to turn skydiving into his profession. He opens up about his love for vertical and angle flying, the excitement of breaking records, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. So, get ready to dive into the mindset of a man who believes in honesty, safety, and most importantly – having fun.
How did you first get into skydiving?
My friend, Josh Wiseman, came over late one Friday with a liter of JD and asked if I wanted to go skydiving the next day for his birthday. The next morning we sat through ground school and did a static line. I knew when I landed that skydiving was for me.
I remember that a guy from the dropzone gave me a tape, it was a VHS of course, with Cloud’s Edge and Freefly Chronicles. These were the things I saw after my first jump, can you imagine that? I was like “You’ve got to be kidding me! I have to do this!”
I played sports all my life, since I remember. I’ve never had an off-season, so I was definitely still playing sports in the adult realm. I knew I could be good at skydiving too.
When I was little I lived probably five miles away from a drop zone. My mom said I used to stand out there on the back patio and watch people skydive all morning. I don’t remember it, but it was probably meant to be.
Tell us about Southern Ohio Freefly (SOFly) and how it evolved
I wanted to start a free flying scene in southern Ohio so I would have more people to jump with. I would go to other dropzones, try to learn what I could, then return home and teach it. I began in Chesapeake at Tri-State Skydivers, then went to Xenia at Skydive Greene County, then moved to Lebanon at Start Skydiving, and eventually moved to Middletown, where Start Skydiving is now located. I think it went pretty well since most of the people who became part of SOFLy are now accomplished free flyers and teaching others.
This was quite a long time ago. I look back now and I find it quite fascinating how you take a step and you take another. Basically, you are chasing your dream, but I realize now how important the people that helped me were for this journey; their passion.
At what point did you realize skydiving would become your profession? What inspired you to start 1-Point Skydive?
When I would show up to fun jump and end up organizing and coaching or shooting video instead because I was asked 😊.
I think it was in 2011 that I decided to go full-time in skydiving. Back then I was working seven days a week and it had gotten tough, but I really went full-in in 2012.
My wife Mallory was the inspiration to start 1-Point Skydive. I had been teaching and organizing records and events for a long time under other team names. Creating 1-Point Skydive was a return to taking credit for my own work. The name came from a rant I made, that is probably on the internet somewhere. Mallory’s contribution is very important. She’s very organized. She’s brilliant that way. Her brain works in ways that mine does not.
I’m just like, yeah, let’s get everybody together to jump.
And she’s like; information, safety… you know, just perfect! I’ve always been safety-oriented but she writes it down and makes it more understandable for everyone. Everything is on the board and it helps people make sure they stay safe.
“Brad is the best! Obviously I am biased, but it’s hard to argue with his results. He has taught so many people to be great skydivers and tunnel flyers. Brad is the most enthusiastic and generous teacher around!”
Mallory Hunt
What’s the biggest lesson skydiving has taught you?
It’s easy to be complacent and sometimes people are full of sh*t. We need more honesty in our lives.
What do you love more – vertical or angle flying?
I love both! There are some experienced skydivers that either like vertical and don’t like angles, or the other way around. I believe vertical and angles complement each other. They’re like peanut butter and jelly.
If you’re good at angles and good at vertical, you’re better at both. When you’re vertical – I don’t call it “static” anymore because it’s become kind of a stigmatized word. Static means holding still, and if you’re doing 4-way and you’re holding still, you’re losing. When you’re doing VFS really well, you’re never holding still. You’re kind of on that edge of moving at all times.
In vertical big-ways, you do an angle skydive to the formation, and you do an angle skydive getting away. So, if you’re a good angle flyer, you’ll be able to fly safely to the big-way. And then once you’re in, of course, if you can fly vertical and neutral, it’s perfect. It’s a balance game.
Also, when you’re angle flying, if you pass through the middle and are comfortable in that position, you don’t wobble the middle like some people do. So, the better you are at vertical, the more precise you can be on your angle flying.
I try to be very versatile, which is why Mallory and I joined a few belly sequential events here in Florida. It was funny. We were met with “Oh God, these freeflyers are going to be in here. They are going to screw everything for us”. But after a jump or two they were, “Okay, you guys know how to fly on your belly” 😊. We want to know as much as possible. It also helps facilitate students learning. If I send a student to a belly LO and they say Brad Hunt sent me, that organizer knows me, knows what I do, it works better.
What’s your pet hate?
Fake people.
Were there any mentors who helped shape your journey?
Larry Lemaster went out of his way to help me any way he could. He introduced me to people and would even fly or drive me places for me to progress. He let me use his gear and everything. He would give you the shirt off his back, even if it cost him his business. Larry was really great! Unfortunately, he is no longer with us. He’s also the reason I made over 400 night jumps back then. He would fly well after sundown in the wintertime.
Andy Ferguson taught me all the things about skydiving that you don’t learn in the book. And, all the other guys at Tri-State Skydivers… Everett Pollard did my first jump course and first jump. Clint Leighton first taught me how to fly head-down, I think I had 56 jumps at that point 😊
John Hart helped SOFly grow exponentially with his facilities and aircraft at Start Skydiving. He was super supportive and gave me everything I needed to grow free flying at his drop zone.
I was lucky, very lucky to be surrounded by these people – the benefits of a small drop zone. When I hear people say they started a small drop zone, I’m, “That’s the best way to start” because you learn what the sport’s about and it’s all about people.
“Skydiving creates families and some family become your Sons and Daughters. Brad is one of my Sons. I have watched Brad grow up in our community and consistently bring a positive influence to every skydiver he has interacted with.”
John Hart II. Team Fastrax
Do any of your jumps stand out as particularly memorable?
Skydiving over the Pyramids with my wife. Mallory surprised me with that trip, she knew I always dreamt of seeing them. Man, I married the hottest woman ever seen (took me a long time, because I’m an idiot, but I’m a guy, what can I say?!). I love that woman. And she took me to the Pyramids.
The head-up Sequential 32-way, 2-point World Record we organized last year.(Head-Up World Record – Skydivemag). That one was nice because we invited people from all over world that are all our friends and they were there just to have a good time. My wife took the lead on that one from the organizing point of view. I only did the talking. She really, really did an amazing job!
The Night Pyro 42-way World Record. During this event the visuals were insane, just I-N-S-A-N-E! I remember on the actual record jump a lot of us should have been floating, but we got out and we didn’t see anyone. So we dove like hell. We got the record on a busted timing! 😊
Also, some really unsafe skydives that are memorable for all the wrong reasons! 😉
You hold over 35 skydiving records. Which one are you most proud of and why?
All of the head-up records – if they were easy they’d be a LOT bigger!
“I’ve known Brad for over 20 years. Always fun to be around him with his positive attitude towards life, as well as his drive to continue progressing as a flyer and pushing the sport.”
Luis Prinetto, Fly4Life
Do you have a motto, or favorite quotation?
If you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong!
What’s the most challenging part of breaking a record?
Getting everyone to focus all at the same time. That’s the job of the organizer. You need to deal with whatever is happening; people bring their troubles, it’s normal. You need to do your best to get everybody on the same page.
What is your coaching philosophy?
Slow all the steps down and exercise more patience. It’s very difficult to do in this world, but it’s exactly what we need.
Be safe. Be honest. Have fun!
You’ve won multiple medals in skydiving and indoor tunnel flying. How do competitions compare to record events?
Competitions are just boogies in disguise 😉; and you find out where you stack up against “the competition.” Records are for working together so everyone can get a win.
What are the most common mistakes skydivers make, and how do you help them overcome these challenges?
It’s literally all safety and honesty. Slow all the steps down and exercise some patience. We created a ground school to introduce free flyers to vertical big-ways and that’s been helpful for several people; showing them what to do and what to expect in various slots and situations.
The most common mistake skydivers make is over-estimating their abilities. That falls under honesty; being honest with yourself. Debriefs & Cocktails creates a fun, comedic environment to overcome challenges with self-assessment.
What coaching advice do you repeat most often?
It’s all mental. We are falling from planes FFS!
How do you balance the thrill of skydiving with safety concerns for you and your students?
By being safe and honest. (Are you noticing a theme here?!) Skydiving is already thrilling. There is no need to go looking for more danger.
What do you think is the most important freefly related safety issue?
Angle flying when you can’t fly head-down or track safely is the biggest free fly related safety issue in skydiving currently.
What can be done by all of us to make the sport safer?
Honesty and the ability to say “No” would make skydiving safer for everyone.
Have you had any skydiving-related injuries? If yes, how was the recovering journey for you?
Just minor bumps and bruises, thankfully. The worst one was at the beginning, I clipped a wind-blade and slammed into the ground. I remember seeing my shadow on the earth. I was going straight to the ground from about 15 feet. It hurt, but in the end, nothing was broken. I was 100% lucky.
What’s the most exciting trend you’re seeing right now?
Seeing the gear and technology getting better each year. Especially the progress in high-performance canopies, containers, altimeters, and helmets. It’s cool AF!
Tell us about your hobbies outside skydiving
Playing guitar and bass fishing. And cooking steaks and making cocktails for my wife! I’m definitely good at that.
If you could jump with anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be and why?
My dad. I think he would have liked it, but I would’ve liked it even more. That would’ve been my most memorable skydive.
He was my coach growing up, and was a really talented pitcher. He’s no longer with us. But he taught me a very valuable lesson; your coach isn’t there to be your friend. He is your coach. They can be friendly, but they are ultimately there to make you better.
If you had to sum up skydiving in just three words, what would they be?
Fkn touch it 🙂
Do you have any sponsors?
I am very proud to be supported by some of the best companies in the industry: SSK, UPT, PD.
“We adore Brad Hunt here at UPT! Brad’s infectious energy and genuine love for life are truly captivating. From my first tunnel coaching sessions with Brad to setting records and collaborating on major Brand projects, I’ve always known him to be the same amazing person. He’s dedicated, supportive, and always inspiring others to work hard and have fun doing so. This “male model” truly embodies the spirit of the skydiving industry – innovation, perseverance, and having the most fun possible!”
Ryan Jenkins, Marketing Manager UPT
Any message you’d like to share with skydivers, fans, or aspiring jumpers?
I’d like to thank all three of my followers. You guys rock!
But really, don’t take yourself that seriously. Just be safe so you can keep jumping for a long time.
What are your goals for the future?
Keep teaching people. Keep doing AFF, keep coaching people who want to learn, and keep calling people out on their BS! 😊
I’d like to be on a triple-digit HU record. Head-up is hard, but we will do it.
Video, Head-up World Record, 2024
Edit by Mariana Franceschetto
Brad’s records
Here are just a few of them 😊
- World Record Head-up 96-way, November 2024 (leadership team)
- World Record Night Head-down 42-way, March 2024 with pyro
- World Record Head-up Sequential 32-way, 2 points, March 2024 (organizer)
- Florida Head-up 47-way, March 2023 (lead organizer)
- USPA National Head-up 32-way, March 2021 (lead organizer)
- World Record Head-up 84-way, July 2019
- POPS World Record Head-down 26-way, August 2015
- World Record Head-down 164-way, July 2015.
