Latest United States Parachute Association Stories

FREDERICKSBURG, Va., Jan. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Parachute Association reports that the breathtaking sport of skydiving saw record growth and improved safety in 2012, with even more activity expected in 2013. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130129/LA49868) Last year, more than a half million people took the leap for the first time at more than 200 USPA-affiliated skydiving schools and centers across the country. Whether to cross an item off their bucket lists...

FREDERICKSBURG, Va., Oct. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The race is on! Not only for Obama and Romney, but for 500 top skydivers nationwide competing at the 2012 U.S. Parachute Association National Skydiving Championships, the world's largest annual skydiving competition, Oct. 25-Nov. 3 at Skydive Arizona in Eloy. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121019/LA96230) (Video: http://budurl.com/CampaignSkydive) Masked candidates "President Barack Obama" and "Governor Mitt Romney"...

FREDERICKSBURG, Va., Jan. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Parachute Association reports that the breathtaking sport of skydiving continued to grow in 2011 and is poised to thrill even more jumpers throughout Leap Year 2012. Last year, more than a half million people took the leap for the first time at some 200 USPA-affiliated skydiving centers across the country. Whether to cross an item off their bucket lists or discover a new hobby and passion, first-timers took the life-changing...

FREDERICKSBURG, Va., July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- On screen and off, celebrities are taking flight, but not in any private jet. Instead, Shania Twain, Hilary Swank and Chuck Norris are just a few of the celebrities who are going up--and jumping out. According to the United States Parachute Association (USPA), NASCAR driver Brian Vickers and country music star Craig Morgan are the most recent celebrities to complete student training and earn skydiving licenses. Even ex-President George H.W....

The USPA enlists the services of the United States Equestrian Federation to enact new equine welfare regulations WELLINGTON, Fla., April 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to implement a pilot program for equine drugs and medications testing for its sanctioned events, the United States Polo Association (USPA) has engaged the services of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Equine Drugs and Medications Program. This new pilot program was approved by the USPA Board of...

FREDERICKSBURG, Va., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Skydiving centers across the country have found an unusual way to contribute to the Haiti relief effort - by using skydiving aircraft to transport food and medical supplies to the island. "Jump aircraft are especially well-suited for these missions," said Ed Scott, executive director of the U.S. Parachute Association (USPA). "Most have large cargo doors and are easily converted to carry cargo. Most can also take off and land on short and sometimes...

FREDERICKSBURG, Va., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Skydiving continues to improve its safety record, according to new statistics released today by the U.S. Parachute Association (USPA), America's skydiving authority. In 2009, the USPA recorded the fewest fatal accidents in over 40 years - 16 - out of nearly 3 million jumps made by over 32,000 USPA members and 400,000 first-time skydivers. That's the fewest number of fatal accidents in more than four decades. "Skydiving is never without risk,"...

FREDERICKSBURG, Va., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- America's ultimate adrenaline sport will command the skies over Texas during the 2009 United States Parachute Association (USPA) National Skydiving Championships on October 12-25 at Skydive Spaceland outside of Houston. Over 500 of the country's finest, fastest, most fearless skydivers will flock to the Lone Star State to push their aerial skills to the limit and compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in six spectacular skydiving...

Dr. Bill Patterson to Head Committee's Efforts WELLINGTON, Fla., May 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the United States Polo Association (USPA) announced the 21 volunteer members of its Polo Pony Welfare Committee (PPWC), a committee tasked with examining current best practices regarding equine welfare in polo and other equine sports and presenting findings and recommendations to USPA at the next Board of Governors meeting in October. The committee membership will include leading...

WELLINGTON, Fla., April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Peter Rizzo, Executive Director of the U.S. Polo Association (USPA) released the following statement following the release of the Florida Department of Agriculture findings that indicate an overdose of selenium is the probable cause of death for 21 polo ponies on April 19: "The Florida Department of Agriculture report confirms that what happened to the Lechuza Polo Team was a tragic accident. USPA is forming a special committee to...