Humans have dreamed of flying for ages, and thanks to inventions like the parachute, which lets us jump from heights and land safely, we’ve been able to ‘fly’ without actual wings.
With recent advancements such as specialized wind tunnels, indoor flying has become a reality. This weekend, i FLY Whitby is set to host the 2026 Canadian Indoor Skydiving Championships, bringing together the country’s top indoor skydiving talent.
Skilled athletes from all over Canada will face off in various events across four main categories:
Formation Skydiving (4 Way Intermediate & Open) Vertical Formation Skydiving (2 Way Intermediate & Open and 4 Way Open) Freestyle (Rookie & Open) Dynamic (2-way Speed Open, Solo Speed Open & Intermediate)
“The one thing we were not designed to do is fly,” i FLY Whitby General Manager Scott Johnston told INsauga. com. “But here, we can deliver the dream of flight.”
i FLY has led the way in indoor skydiving experiences and is a global frontrunner in vertical wind tunnel technology. Since its first tunnel opened in Orlando, Florida, back in 1998, i FLY has introduced more than 19 million individuals of all ages and abilities to flight and operates over 40 locations worldwide, including spots in Oakville, Calgary, and Montreal.
Around 75 competitors have signed up for this year’s championships. This marks the second consecutive year that Whitby hosts this exciting event. The champions from this weekend will earn spots at the world competition.
This championship will highlight Canada’s best freefall talent with competitions ranging from acrobatic freestyle performances to fast-paced team and solo acts. Spectators will enjoy a close-up view of all the action thanks to i FLY Whitby’s advanced wind tunnel and viewing gallery-an experience typically found at an altitude of 12,000 feet.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Canada’s top indoor skydivers to i FLY Whitby for the 2026 championships. This event highlights the skill, creativity, and passion of our athletes and we can’t wait for spectators to experience the excitement of indoor skydiving up close,” Johnson said.
Many outdoor jumpers train at i FLY facilities while those who experience their first taste of indoor flying often move on to jumping outdoors with a parachute afterward.
“Most of the people who get good at it indoors will give outdoor jumping a try.”
First-time flyers are paired with two instructors-one helps them inside the tunnel while another manages air speed control. The great thing about indoor flying is that “anyone can do it,” he mentioned, including kids and adults with disabilities.
“It can be so beautiful to see some people fly, to see the looks on their faces and of their families,” he said. “It’s also a lot of fun.”
The flying kicks off at 10 a. m. Saturday for national championships with finals scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
i FLY Whitby is located at the Whitby Entertainment Centrum at 75 Consumers Drive.
INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies
Last 30 Days: 28,668 Votes
All Time: 1,290,583 Votes
2177 VOTES
Source link
Many outdoor jumpers train at i FLY facilities while those who experience their first taste of indoor flying often move on to jumping outdoors with a parachute afterward.
“Most of the people who get good at it indoors will give outdoor jumping a try.”
First-time flyers are paired with two instructors-one helps them inside the tunnel while another manages air speed control. The great thing about indoor flying is that “anyone can do it,” he mentioned, including kids and adults with disabilities.
“It can be so beautiful to see some people fly, to see the looks on their faces and of their families,” he said. “It’s also a lot of fun.”
The flying kicks off at 10 a. m. Saturday for national championships with finals scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
i FLY Whitby is located at the Whitby Entertainment Centrum at 75 Consumers Drive.
INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies
Last 30 Days: 28,668 Votes
All Time: 1,290,583 Votes
2177 VOTES
Source link
