Skydiving Aunty

I am a middle-aged woman who happens to skydive instead of woodworking, riding a motorcycle or one shot D&D campaigns. How to explain any of this to a stranger who is primed to misunderstand? Oh, I don’t.

Danielle WilliamsDanielle WilliamsJune 24, 2024Skydiving, Third Places, Aging, Community, Why we jump, Personal EssayComment

7 South Asian Women Redefining Outdoorsy

Within the South Asian community, more and more women are redefining what it means to be outdoorsy. They are breaking records, challenging stereotypes, and writing their own narratives — all while centering community.

Angie VasquezAngie VasquezMarch 6, 2024Asian, South Asian, Hiking, Skydiving, Skiing, Skateboarding, Climbing, TikTok, Social Media, Adult LearnerComment

How I Learned to Embrace Outdoorsy Stuff White People Like

This is the story of how I learned to stop worrying and embrace outdoorsy ‘stuff white people like’. You’d be surprised what got me there. So let’s go.

Learning How to Skydive? Here Are 4 Things You Should Know

Want to learn how to skydive? Here are four things you should know!

Danielle WilliamsDanielle WilliamsMay 7, 2022Skydiving, Adventure, Solo, How toComment

These Six Black Adventure Athletes Are Defying Gravity

These six Black athletes are pushing boundaries and defying gravity in the air, at their local skate park and in the mountains.

Adam EdwardsAdam EdwardsMarch 19, 2022Slacklining, Highlining, BASE jumping, Skating, Skydiving, Listicle, Influencers, BlackComment

Why We Jump: An Interview with 5 BASE Jumpers of Color

Five BASE jumpers of color share why they jump, despite the high-stakes and risk involved in the sport.

Caroline HsuCaroline HsuFebruary 27, 2022BASE jumping, Perrine Bridge, Skydiving, Profile, InstagramComment

Black People Skydive & So Should You—Here's How!

So, are you ready to take the plunge? It’s not as scary as it looks, and you don’t need to travel very far or break the bank. If you’re looking for an affordable, safe, tandem skydive near you, we can help. There are just a few things you should know…

A Curly Haired Adventurer’s Guide to the Outdoors

Sometimes styling and celebrating your natural curly hair can be a challenge when spending time in nature—especially when you’re the only one who looks like you. Climbing and hiking weekends rarely include time for deep conditioning, and the wind and rain may not go easy on your twist out. So, after years of struggling, learning and experimenting, I’m excited to share with you this curly-haired adventurer’s guide to the outdoors (and protective styles!).

5 Reasons to Skydive (That Have Nothing to Do with Adrenaline)

For folks who love adrenaline, learning to skydive is almost universally exciting. For the rest of us, there are still several reasons to take that leap of faith!

This Black Mom Is Balancing Work, Marriage, Motherhood and Skydiving

Don’t wait for the conditions to be right. If you see something you want to try, go for it. You may even inspire someone else along the way!

Danielle WilliamsDanielle WilliamsFebruary 28, 2019Skydiving, Black Women, Motherhood, FamilyComment

Reflections on Balance and Burnout through Adventure Sports

Creating balance in your life can be tricky. Here are some reflections on my experience creating an amazing balance in my own life—one that takes into consideration work, play, and especially rest—as well as the work it took to get there.

Caroline HsuCaroline HsuFebruary 20, 2019Asian, Climbing, Hiking, Skydiving, Skydive, Mental Health, Asian AmericanComment

In Pursuit of Mindfulness with African American Skydiver Nicholas Walker

Nicholas Walker is an African American competitive skydiver with ten years in the sport and over 1,050 jumps. He’s also a 3rd generation military veteran who first learned how to survive, adapt and thrive through a childhood that spanned two continents, six schools and almost losing a parent—twice.

Danielle WilliamsDanielle WilliamsJanuary 3, 2019Black skydiver, Skydiving, Resilience, Adapt, Skydive, Grief, Storytelling, Trauama, African American, FamilyComment

16-Year-Old Kyra Poh Is an Indoor Skydiving World Champion

Kyra Poh's distinct style of indoor skydiving is the product of immense dedication and over 300 hours of body flight in wind tunnels across the world. In between busy training and competition schedules, Kyra graciously spent some time sharing her thoughts about her journey thus far—her recent projects, sources of inspiration, and creative process.

Caroline HsuCaroline HsuOctober 17, 2018Skydiving, Indoor Skydiving, #diversifyoutdoors, Skydive, skydiving, AsianComment

Feeling Guilt and Shame While Enjoying the Outdoors

When I am out at the crag or ‘living my best life’ on a nice mountaintop I feel grateful for the opportunity to experience the world in such a beautiful way—but I also feel shame.

Nadia MercadoNadia MercadoSeptember 20, 2018Guilt, Shame, Outdoors, Latinx, Afro-Latinx, Hiking, Skydiving, Backpacking, Climbing, Changing the NarrativeComment

Looking Back to Move Forward: Mirando Pa'tras para Seguir Pa'lante

When I walk, climb, jump, and dive I feel like I am not only challenging myself, but paying homage to the people who have struggled so much to pave the way for my own existence, for my own success.

No, Where Are You Really From? Women of Color In Skydiving Speak, Pt 2

‘No where are you really from’ is a familiar question for Women of Color who are constantly asked to either prove our American-ness or explain our Other-ness when we really just want to sit-fly.

Is Skydiving "Outdoorsy" Enough?

Looking through outdoor magazines, blogs, and social media I rarely see anyone who looks like me. I’m not talking about race...what I don’t see are other skydivers.

Nadia MercadoNadia MercadoMarch 25, 2018Moab, Skydiving, Skydive, Hiking, BASE jumpingComment

No, Where Are You Really From? Women of Color in Skydiving Speak, Pt I

“We are not asking for it and women shouldn’t be expected to smile and silently put up with this harassment so we can be part of the skydiving community.”

Skydiving as a Woman of Color

Team Blackstar gave me the freedom to stop pretending I don't notice when I'm the only person of color at my drop-zone. Yes we see color. And we realize the lack of diversity isn't a neutral thing.

Grief, Trauma and Loss in the Outdoors

Then there’s the one time I used duct tape, super glue, and butterfly sutures to close a friend's eyebrow that was split from the mid-line to the corner of his eye.

MELANIN BASE CAMP

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