104 Skydivers Break 18-Year World Record in Florida

Imagine 104 skydivers stacking themselves vertically in mid-air, each person sitting on another's parachute to form a massive diamond in the sky. That's exactly what happened over Lake Wales, Florida in November 2025, when skydivers from around the globe broke a record that stood since 2007.

Air Force Captain Charlene Sufficool, an A-10 Warthog pilot from Montana, joined 103 other daredevils in an extreme discipline called Canopy Formation. Unlike traditional skydiving where divers spread out, this sport involves creating intricate patterns by literally stacking on each other's deployed parachutes.

The team initially aimed for 107 people but hit their winning formation of 104 on the fourth day of attempts. The previous record stood at just 100 skydivers, making this a significant leap forward for the sport.

Getting to this moment required serious dedication. Organizers held training camps worldwide over two years, with participants like Sufficool attending multiple sessions at their own expense. The investment paid off spectacularly: the team didn't just break the record once but surpassed the 100-diver mark five separate times during their attempts.

They also set three women's canopy world records and even built a 106-person formation, though that one didn't meet the World Air Sports Federation's strict criteria for official recognition. Still, 104 remains an impressive number to beat.

Why This Inspires

What makes this story truly special is who showed up. The 131 participants came from 20 countries, representing every corner of the globe from Australia to the United Kingdom. While some had aviation backgrounds like Sufficool, others led completely grounded lives.

One of the 104 record-setters was a 60-year-old plumber from the U.K., proving that world records aren't reserved for professional athletes or people in their supposed prime. This team showed that with proper training, dedication, and the courage to take the leap, ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things.

The sky truly is the limit when people from different countries, careers, and life stages come together for a shared dream.