It's time to boogie, boogie, boogie, boogie, boogie! And the ChutingStar Crew will be out there with you at drop zones all over the US, providing all the support and goods you could ask for.

The one and only Laura Bales is packing up the van with demos from Freefall Data Systems, LB Altimeters, Cookie Helmets, Alti-2, and many more. Laura is available for container, canopy and jumpsuit orders as she'll be able to measure you up and walk you through the ordering process for any of your custom gear needs, including the helmet sizing kit for the Tonfly TFX Full Face Helmet.

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It’s time to boogie, boogie, boogie, boogie, boogie! And the ChutingStar Crew will be out there with you at drop zones all over the US, providing all the support and goods you could ask for. The one and only Laura Bales is packing up the van with demos from Freefall Data Systems, LB Altimeters, Cookie Helmets, […]

UPT has stock Vector sport rigs available if you're looking for a container faster than the current custom turnaround times. These never last long, so here are the details below (as of February 6, 2026).

Click Read More below to see the full article. Click on the production forms to enlarge to see more details on each container. Contact ChutingStar to confirm availability, get help with sizing, get final pricing and to place an order.

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UPT has stock Vector sport rigs available if you’re looking for a container faster than the current custom turnaround times. These never last long, so here are the details below (as of February 6, 2026). Click Read More below to see the full article. Click on the production forms to enlarge to see more details […]

(Written by ChutingStar's Henry Kochen.)

Why do you skydive? It can be an uncomfortable but necessary question.

Skydiving has never been more accessible. Better gear, faster training pipelines, endless online content, and social media highlight reels have lowered the barrier to entry in ways we couldn’t have imagined 20 years ago. That’s not inherently bad—but it can come with unintended consequences.

Complacency is a slow erosion of respect for the sport. A new generation of jumpers who sometimes don’t fully understand why they’re stepping out of an aircraft in the first place.

This isn’t about gatekeeping. It’s about self-awareness, safety, and longevity in a sport that is brutally honest when mistakes stack up. So, let’s ask the question most people never stop revisiting:

Why do you skydive?

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(Written by ChutingStar’s Henry Kochen.) Why do you skydive? It can be an uncomfortable but necessary question. Skydiving has never been more accessible. Better gear, faster training pipelines, endless online content, and social media highlight reels have lowered the barrier to entry in ways we couldn’t have imagined 20 years ago. That’s not inherently bad—but it […]

Check back here for special deals from skydiving gear manufacturers and ChutingStar throughout the year!

Discounts usually are a rare thing in skydiving, and even more rare in the current supply shortage climate. We're focusing on making sure we have available items in stock and shipped to you by the time you need it for your next jump. Currently, ChutingStar has the following sales and ways to save listed below.

Here's the rundown on current deals:

Deal Details

Here are the links to more info and the ordering process for these deals from ChutingStar:

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Check back here for special deals from skydiving gear manufacturers and ChutingStar throughout the year! Discounts usually are a rare thing in skydiving, and even more rare in the current supply shortage climate. We’re focusing on making sure we have available items in stock and shipped to you by the time you need it for […]

(Written by ChutingStar's Henry Kochen.)

Skydiving. For many of us it’s freedom, adrenaline, and pure joy. But behind every jump that feels effortless are countless hours of training, repetition, and a commitment to safety.

That’s why coaching matters. Whether you’re new to the sport or a seasoned jumper, coaching can keep you improving... and alive.

Coaching is critical in skydiving in how it helps both new and experienced jumpers build skills while keeping safety front and center.

Henry coaching above Skydive Monroe. Photo by Albalia Perez De Kochen.
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(Written by ChutingStar’s Henry Kochen.) Skydiving. For many of us it’s freedom, adrenaline, and pure joy. But behind every jump that feels effortless are countless hours of training, repetition, and a commitment to safety. That’s why coaching matters. Whether you’re new to the sport or a seasoned jumper, coaching can keep you improving… and alive. Coaching […]

While ChutingStar may seem to some like some huge corporate monster of a company, we are a group 7 people serving the skydiving community out of one location in Marietta, Georgia. For the most part, we're available 24/7 in some manner be it in the shop, on the phone or online.

Since 1999, we've mostly been able to provide seamless support by staggering breaks for our staff and covering for each other's "specialty" so that you rarely know when one or two of us are gone for a few days.

Many skydiving manufacturers have a summer and a winter shutdown that may be a week or more. ChutingStar has always stayed open during those times to support skydivers with info, advice, parts and gear. That will be changing slightly this year.

For 2026, there will be a couple of staff breaks to give our group a breather. This will delay custom orders processing and some shipments, but we've scheduled these breaks around holidays and manufacturer shutdowns where we are limited in what we can do at that time anyway.

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While ChutingStar may seem to some like some huge corporate monster of a company, we are a group 7 people serving the skydiving community out of one location in Marietta, Georgia. For the most part, we’re available 24/7 in some manner be it in the shop, on the phone or online. Since 1999, we’ve mostly […]

(Written by ChutingStar's Henry Kochen.)

There’s something about swooping that pulls every skydiver in. The sound, the speed, the precision; it’s art in motion. A perfectly executed turn and a mirror-smooth pond carve? That’s skydiving poetry.

But lately, I’ve noticed more and more jumpers chasing the swoop for all the wrong reasons. It’s become less about mastering the craft and more about chasing clout, downsizing too soon, copying what they see on Instagram, or just trying to look cool on landing. And that’s when people get hurt. It's “The YouTube effect.”

Henry carving in on a swoop at Skydive Monroe. Photo by Albalia Perez De Kochen.
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(Written by ChutingStar’s Henry Kochen.) There’s something about swooping that pulls every skydiver in. The sound, the speed, the precision; it’s art in motion. A perfectly executed turn and a mirror-smooth pond carve? That’s skydiving poetry. But lately, I’ve noticed more and more jumpers chasing the swoop for all the wrong reasons. It’s become less about […]

Vmag, which makes the magnetic breakaway GoPro mounting system, has released an updated version that includes an integrated button lock. The Vmag V2 now requires a center button on the mount to be pressed to release the camera from the base mount. This will help prevent an accidental release from bumps and knocks to the mount or camera.

Vmag is currently offering a trade-in exchange program for those that have the original Vmag mount. For $35 USD plus shipping, you can send in your original Vmag mount and receive back the V2 version. A new Vmag V2 is currently $150, so this is saving you $115 if you were planning to upgrade.

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Vmag, which makes the magnetic breakaway GoPro mounting system, has released an updated version that includes an integrated button lock. The Vmag V2 now requires a center button on the mount to be pressed to release the camera from the base mount. This will help prevent an accidental release from bumps and knocks to the […]

As of April 5, 2025, a new baseline 10% tariff was levied on all imports into United States. Some items, such as jumpsuits and helmet accessories, are being tariffed at a 25-30% rate. U.S. President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency with the U.S. trade deficit. Additional tariffs were announced and then paused for 90 days. On the heels of the tariffs, the American dollar has fallen in value.

All of this combined is already affecting the price on the gear you use to skydive. Skydivers use a wide-range of gear from manufacturers across the globe, so it is impossible for pricing to not be affected by the tariffs or falling dollar.

ChutingStar imports gear directly from some of your favorite manufacturers outside of the United States. And most manufacturers inside the United States use parts or materials that are sourced from overseas.

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As of April 5, 2025, a new baseline 10% tariff was levied on all imports into United States. Some items, such as jumpsuits and helmet accessories, are being tariffed at a 25-30% rate. U.S. President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency with the U.S. trade deficit. Additional tariffs were announced and then paused for […]

(Written by ChutingStar's Henry Kochen.)

A 20-Year Journey of Growth, Safety, and Complacency

Over the last two decades, skydiving has evolved significantly, transforming from a niche thrill-seeking activity into a widely accessible and increasingly safe sport. From improved equipment technology to enhanced training protocols, the sport has made remarkable strides. However, amid this progress, a concerning trend has emerged: complacency among experienced skydivers and a lack of respect for the inherent risks of the sport. This is resulting in an unfortunate retrogression—more experienced skydivers getting injured or even killed, while newer participants neglect the importance of vigilance, discipline, and respect for safety.



The Growth of Skydiving: A Safer Sport

Skydiving has experienced exponential growth over the past 20 years. What was once seen as an extreme sport reserved for a select few has now become increasingly accessible to a broader audience. In 2000, skydiving was largely a sport for adrenaline junkies and military personnel, with the equipment and training far from the streamlined, professional systems we see today. However, advances in equipment technology and training have made skydiving more reliable and safer.

One of the major factors contributing to the sport's safety is the development of modern parachutes. The introduction of “square” or “ram-air” canopies, which are far more stable and predictable than the old round ones, revolutionized how skydivers navigate and land. These canopies are designed to offer better control, making the landing process less perilous.

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(Written by ChutingStar’s Henry Kochen.) A 20-Year Journey of Growth, Safety, and Complacency Over the last two decades, skydiving has evolved significantly, transforming from a niche thrill-seeking activity into a widely accessible and increasingly safe sport. From improved equipment technology to enhanced training protocols, the sport has made remarkable strides. However, amid this progress, a […]