Anthony
1) What made you decide to start skydiving?
I went for a tandem in 2013 as a bucket list item and immediately became hooked. While I knew that I would jump from a plane at some point in my life, I had no clue that it would take such a grip on me and become such a source of happiness. On June 29, 2013 along with three friends, I climbed aboard a plane at Skydive Miami in Homestead, FL for my first tandem skydive. Supremely nervous, I sat motionless attached to my tandem instructor (Randy) as we made the slow climb to 13,000ft. Fifteen minutes into the flight, everyone started to move around the plane; adjusting straps and giving each other high fives. And then…the door opened. Immediately, my senses went in to over drive—cold air, smell of fuel, sweaty palms, heart in throat, etc. One by one I saw people leaving the plane with smiles on their faces. The moment felt surreal. I didn’t entirely realize what was happening was actually real until the one of the people who had decided to take this leap with me was suddenly not on the plane anymore. Now it was my turn. Randy positioned me at the door and the videographer, Tom, hung outside on the plane on the camera step. On the count of three we were on longer in the “safety” of a plane, but, in the open/freeing/beautiful air. Five seconds into the jump that I realized I was hooked. As soon as we had safely landed, I ran back into the hangar to sign up for IAF. Three months later, I was a licensed skydiver. Within a year, I had earned my skydiving coach rating. Now, I realize that the sky is not the limit. The sky is my home and I hope to share it with friends, family and strangers until my very last jump/ash dive. Blue Skies.
2) How long have you been a skydiver?
Technically 2013. But my real answer is January 2017. I quit the sport soon after joining…. and after some very interesting life decisions, i threw myself back in 100% in 2017.
3) How many jumps do you have?
300
4) What container and parachute are you currently jumping? What was your progression?
UPT Vector Micron V306 (named T’Challa)
Crossfire 3-119
The progression to my 119 was sabre 2-190, sabre 2-170, sabre 2-135, katana 135, pilot 111, crossfire 3-119
5) Have you had any cutaways? How many?
No, not yet.
Anthony (r) at a Team Blackstar meetup in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo credit: Jackie Sylvester.
6) What type of skydiving do you enjoy (RW, big way, crew, FF, swooping, etc.)?
As long as it's with friends, I'll do all of it.
7) What’s your home drop zone?
Skydive the Farm (Georgia)
8) Do you come from an outdoor family? What does your family think of your decision to start skydiving?
No, we are city peeps. My family loves it. My father has 81 military static line jumps. My mother has 2 tandems and my brother has 1 tandem that I shot video for.
9) Have you participated in any record jumps? If so what were they?
No, not yet.
10) What do you like best about skydiving?
I love that it builds confidence in oneself. Every jump (even with people) you are on your own and must trust yourself and your training to stay calm and save your life.
11) Why is Team Blackstar important?
TBS highlights accomplishments not only to people that are the majority in the sport, but to POC across the world and breaks down stereotypes and barriers we often hear from all sides.
12) What is the most challenging thing you’ve ever done as a skydiver? What was the scariest?
Getting back into sport after stepping away for sometime.
Also, the first solo jump after completing AFF.
13) If you’re a sponsored athlete please list your sponsors.
Die Epic
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