Ivy Yang’s path through the P3 pipeline: big-way drills, 100-ways, and Spring Fling.
Starting Small: Big Way Camp
Before May, the largest formation I had ever completed was a 20-way from a single plane. So when I got accepted into the P3 Big Way Camp at Skydive Perris, I was thrilled, but also nervous. I had only been conditionally accepted to the 100-Way Camp that followed, and I remember thinking, “Just focus on doing well at Big Way so you don’t get dropped.”
What I didn’t expect was how much could unfold in just three short weeks. By the end of the full P3 Trifecta—Big Way Camp, 100-Way Camp, and Spring Fling—I had flown in a 113-way launched from six planes and completed multi-point 54-way formations. I came in hoping to keep up and left with the most meaningful jumps of my life.
The turning point started with the Big Way Camp, which gave me a solid foundation to build on. We began with 18-ways—just big enough to challenge my awareness and fundamentals—and scaled up from there. We drilled the core fundamentals: flying correct radials, approaching in stadium, flying closer, matching fall rate, docking with control, and tracking safely. We were reminded to “dress to be successful,” meaning gear choices should support fall rate, not fashion. As Kate Cooper-Jensen put it, “You won’t look ugly on a successful formation.”
These skills may seem simple, but they were everything. Once they started to click, I felt more connected to the formation and more confident in my role.
Leveling Up: 100-Way Camp
The 100-Way Camp raised the bar. Everything was more complex: larger formations, more aircraft, and less room for error. We had to identify our own quadrants and radials sooner, fly tighter, and adjust fall rate based on our slot. With so many bodies in the sky, small mistakes could ripple across the formation. There was no guesswork—just fast, accurate flying.
On day one at the 100-Way, I checked off a string of firsts: my largest formation to date, a 39-way; my first exit from 16,500 feet; and my first time using oxygen. Just three days later, on the second-to-last jump, I docked on a 113-way launched from six aircraft. I never imagined I’d go from 39- to 113-way in less than a week.
At the end of the camp, I received my P3 100-Way Club patch—something I hadn’t even dared to hope for when I arrived. Beyond the coaching, I learned from the incredible talent all around me. Watching how others flew, communicated, and carried themselves in the sky and on the ground taught me more than I expected.
Spring Fling: Sequentials and Sync
Spring Fling was the next level—and it wasn’t a camp anymore. As Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld said, “At Spring Fling, it’s assumed you’re already good.” The formations were smaller, around 54-way, but the jumps were far more technical. Unlike the one-point builds at 100-Way, we were doing sequentials with multiple points per jump. That meant building the first point fast and clean, with little room for error.
Everything had to be right from the start: correct radials, tight levels, and near-perfect timing. We weren’t just expected to get to our slot—we had to get there in sync, stay there with control, and be ready to move the moment the next point was ready.
It’s not common for a new P3 jumper to begin at Big Way, be conditionally accepted to 100-Way, and then receive an invitation to Spring Fling—all within three weeks. I feel incredibly lucky to have experienced that full progression, and the invitation meant the world to me.
A Moment to Remember
One of the most unforgettable jumps during Spring Fling was the “googly eyes” formation. I flew as one of the eyeballs—right in the middle, in the room, with everyone watching. I remember standing on the mock-up, nerves kicking in: What if I go low? What if I float? What if I mess it up?
And then, just like that, I got in, stayed there, and actually got to googly around. All those what-ifs only happened in my head, not in reality. I did it! That moment will stay with me forever.
The Power of the P3 Community
The P3 organizers and coaches were at the heart of all of this. They were incredibly skilled, kind, and generous with their knowledge. They created a culture where learning was constant, excellence was expected, and support was always present. From day one, they believed in me more than I believed in myself, and that belief helped me grow fast.
To anyone wondering if they’re ready for big-way skydiving: show up, stay humble, and trust the process. You might feel like the least experienced person in the plane, but that doesn’t mean you don’t belong. I came in just hoping not to get cut, and walked away with lifelong memories, new friends, and the biggest, most meaningful jumps of my life. See you in the sky.
