P A R A C H U T I N G ' S   N E W S M A G A Z I N E

Letters from Subscribers

Over the years, reading Skydiving each month has been a treat! I have always trusted that I could get a much clearer picture of what was going on in any field of parachuting than any other publication. For that I want to thank each of you.

—Rick Duran, Texas

I want to thank you for your wonderful cooperation while I was the [U.S.] TopPOP and the World TopPOP. I always enjoyed working with you. We will miss Skydiving magazine, as will so many others around the world.

—Alicia Moorehead, California

Alas, Skydiving newsmagazine, we loved you well. Part of what was skydiving dies with Skydiving. Aarrgghhhh! Whilst I rejoice at your new freedoms, I mourn the coming communication drought (grumble). We are handicapped at our loss. This demise of good art and clear communication is a grave thing for thoughtful parachutists -- even yourselves. Certainly our awareness of and discourse on what was, what is, and what should be is wounded. Now no one can hear the wind as well, nor see the sky as sharply. Neither can we rally, ponder, nor fight for what will become with the trade winds and market politics of our sky sports. Therefore, hereafter, in order to live longer and better: Learn. Share. Other than fun and joy, communication is the skydiver imperative. Love you guys. Thanks for the wonderful rides.

—Pat Works, California

I’m sorry to see the announcement of your magazine’s suspension. It is and was definitely a worthwhile endeavor.

—Mike Turoff, Texas

I’m sure I’m one of many that are bummed you guys are shutting down. Good luck, you guys.

—Jeff Johnson, Oregon

It was a surprise to get a check. Thanks for not setting the controls to auto pilot and bailing out over East Jesus.

—Patty Woods, Florida

It is a sad day. Skydiving is an informative and entertaining magazine that I looked forward to every month. You published more stories and pictures of the average Joe. The letters, question of the month, and editorials were some of my favorites. Thanks for all the great issues and for publishing some of my crap over the years. It will be missed.

—Chris Bonafide, Florida

I cashed my $4.34 check this morning, then used the cash to buy a mocha (and not the normal measly cappuccino) at the local coffee shop. As I drank it, I thought of all the reasons I liked Skydiving magazine. Now, fueled with sugar and caffeine, I’d like to tell you what you already know: You did a great job covering all of the aerial sports, including BASE. You had great photos. You explored the politically sensitive issues and you let others have a say, even when they disagreed with you. It doesn’t hurt that I agreed with a great majority of your editorials, especially those concerning liberty, freedom, and risk. (You also deserve credit for your efforts in extending reserve repack intervals. It’s not easy to move the FAA in this manner -- I know because I’ve tried -- and the change was long overdue.) So I’m sad to see you go. Best wishes, and thanks for a job well done.

—Robert Grace, Kansas

I am one of many faithful subscribers and avid readers of Skydiving magazine who enjoyed the good years of your excellent publication. The articles were always interesting and sometimes controversial. That is a good thing. I shall miss plucking Skydiving from my mailbox each month, and I shall miss the fine work you produced.

—Russ Manhold, Florida

I am in mourning. I tore up the check you sent me.

—Pete Hill, Washington

I’m stunned and saddened to see that Skydiving has ceased publication. As my seven stages of grief progress, I am now fully into “anger.” I can assure you, I will never reach “acceptance.” You and your staff did an outstanding job publishing Skydiving. Through the years I’ve watched with amazement the progress of the sport, relived memories and had the good fortune of seeing old friends still able to pursue a unique and challenging lifestyle. It’s truly unfortunate that you were unable to publish a final “farewell issue” that revisited Skydiving’s history from 1979 to the present. I’m sure all of your readers feel the same. It is my hope that this is only temporary and that Skydiving will again find its way to our doors.

—Guy Petersen, California

I am so sorry to hear that your magazine will no longer be printed. In my last few decades in this sport, I have always enjoyed your magazine. I seriously think it was tremendously informative. I know I will miss its input into our sport.

—Karl Poruben, Pennsylvania

Sorry to hear about the end of an era. I have been reading Skydiving for 10 years, and sending in photos for six. Take care and thanks for all the photos you did print.

—Pete Jabczynski, Illinois

Thank you very much for pushing me and my skydiving photography forward. As someone who is coming from a country with two drop zones, and no skydiving related publications at all, it was a big thing to get published in the U.S.

—Ori Kuper, Texas

It’s a real shame. You can’t beat paper in the hand, even in these digital times, plus the international coverage of BASE and skydiving was unsurpassed. I can’t believe it.

—Craig Poxon, email

I am really sorry to hear about the demise of Skydiving magazine. I thought it was the best on the block.

—Ronald Overdijk, Netherlands

I can not imagine skydiving without your magazine. If this is true, I hope it is for the best and for your happiness.

—Norman Kent, Florida

I can understand the need to take a breath. I wish the magazine would stay alive, but bravo for all the years of keeping us informed.

—Jerome Bunker, France

Thanks for all the coverage and support over the years. You really have made an incredible positive impact on the community and sport in a way you might never realize. You brought balance, that’s for sure.

—Harry Parker, Florida

I have enjoyed every single issue of the magazine I’ve ever received and loved the photography. I always enjoyed your choice of photos and will surely miss the monthly reading.

—Iwan van der Schoor, California

Your magazine has been a most enjoyable, balanced voice of skydiving through the years. Through its numerous articles, jumpers have been able to be aware of all of the new and different developments in skydiving, and keep up with their friends and acquaintances in the sport. The suspension of publication of Skydiving will be a tremendous loss to the skydiving community. Thank you for publishing it through the years. Please let me now if publication resumes, as I will subscribe immediately.

—Kim Tucker, Missouri

I’ve subscribed to your great magazine since I began skydiving in 2006, and have enjoyed it immensely. Thanks a lot for your great work. I wish all the best in your new endeavors.

—J.C. Brown, email

I will really miss Skydiving magazine. A sport really needs a forum where opinions can be expressed, but in an intelligent and carefully edited way . . . And there was always interesting news that nobody else covered in depth.

—Bryan Burke, Arizona

Your magazine was always THE source of information for me and I am sure thousands of others. For me and for my business, you and your magazine have always been totally professional, helpful, non-political and an essential tool. Skydiving magazine will be greatly missed.

—Jari Kuosma, Finland

I was shocked and disappointed to read that you are suspending publication of Skydiving. Yours is the absolute best publication for the sport. I love to read it. I love your color pictures. But the best is “Maybe You’ve Heard.” I sincerely hope you come back. (The  [subscriber refund] check definitely showed a lot of class.)

—Jim Rinkenberger, Florida

Wow, that was a hard hit. You and your staff have done a great job on the magazine. Never have I been unhappy with even one issue of the magazine or your comments about what’s going on in and out of skydiving and the USA. I sure am sorry to see this end. I will miss your editorials every month, and the great photos from some topnotch camera people and the great stories. It’s been a blast.

—Don Henderson, California

I have totally enjoyed my subscription. I congratulate you and thank you for your efforts and for providing the only broad-spectrum coverage of the sport. Best wishes for the future in whatever you do.

—Jon Stark, Massachusetts

I am really sorry to hear that Skydiving magazine is closing down. It has been a major part of my existence for such a long time.

—Fred Morelli, Illinois

I got the $125 10-year subscription years ago and believe I’ve gotten much more than my money’s worth. I hope that Skydiving will resume operations as I appreciate the “counter opinions.” I’ve not always agree with some of the opinions in your magazine, but always felt I got more substance than advertisements. I wish you well and thank you.

—Mark Dunlap, Texas

I am very much aware that everything I know in this world has a beginning, a middle and an end. Your “end” not only came as a surprise, but as a very real disappointment. Your reporting has done nothing but get better over the years. I will miss your magazine as an “old friend.” If you start up again, sign me up. I would even be willing to pay more money to get your publication. It would be worth it.

—Steve Priest, Arkansas

Thanks for all the years of Skydiving magazine. I’m sure going to miss it.

—Richard Zimmerman, California

Over the years I have seen about six parachute magazines go under. They all left and owed me money. You are the only one to make good on issues that I did not get. Thanks for a great job, and I sure wish all of you well in the future.

—David DeWolf, Pennsylvania

I was really sorry to hear of the suspension of Skydiving. It was by far the best skydiving magazine in the world. Congratulations on a great job over the years.

—Phil Thamm, Australia

We miss you. How can we help get things back the way they were? Skydiving needs you.

—Scotty Burns, Florida

I am both surprised and very sorry to hear that you have suspended the publishing of Skydiving magazine. I have carried a subscription almost from the start in 1979. Thank you very much for an excellent magazine over the years.

—Morten Morch, Norway

It was very sad to hear the news about Skydiving. This is a loss. I am also amazed by the great lengths you went to in returning my leftover money. What other indication does one need to realize that the whole subscription price had been an amazing steal. Thanks for the amazing job.

—Andrew Thielmann, Canada

I was saddened to receive a refund check for my Skydiving subscription. I have subscribed and enjoyed this publication since I started jumping at Blue Sky Ranch back in 1992. My husband and I always looked forward to receiving a copy each month.

—Jaynie Marie Aristeo, New York

So sorry to hear the news. I truly looked forward to seeing it each month, kind of like Christmas for skydivers 12 times a year!

—Bill Leonard, Texas

Hate to see the end of an era. I’ll really miss Skydiving. Please know it has been a significant voice in the sport for decades.

—Banks Brazell, Georgia

Sorry to see you suspend publication. After 10 years, I’m still a student.

—Leo Dean, New York

I’m sorry to hear that the publishing of Skydiving magazine is suspended. For many years this was the worldwide newsmagazine that kept me informed on international skydiving matters.

—Fonsz Kriegsman, Netherlands

Is it true? Please tell me it isn’t so I can go online and renew. I love your magazine. I really looked forward to your “Maybe You’ve Heard” and “Reader Response” sections, your larger format, bigger pictures, uncensored writing . . . what a breath of fresh air. Thank you for many years of enjoyment.

—TC Bhardwaj, email

Bummer! Well, bravo on the job that you did, especially on promoting a totally different feel and angle to skydiving than other magazines.

—Ann Rezbanya, email

I started jumping in the U.K. in 1983, and on those wet, dreary and muddy U.K. World War 2 airfields, we would pore over your publication to find out what all the “real” skydivers were doing.

—Steve Fitchett, U.K.