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Capital Commentary
by Chris Needels, USPA Executive
Director
 Long
ago, skydivers wore black baseball caps upon which they could affix
the USPA metal wings. As they earned new licenses, they would hang
a small bar underneath that would indicate novice, intermediate,
jumpmaster or expert. Then, also, jumpers wore black double-zipper
jumpsuits upon which were sewn cloth badges that indicated licenses
and ratings. And as relative work began to evolve, jumpers added
patches for their freefall accomplishments.
But styles have changed, and so has participation in the USPA awards
programs. Perhaps sewn-on awards are a distraction on new color-coordinated
jumpsuits, or longer hair makes hats less necessary. Or maybe USPA
awards just don't appeal to today's skydiver.
At the July board of directors meeting, USPA's Membership
Services Committee took a hard look at the USPA awards program,
with a particular eye on relevance in the new millennium and contemporary
skydiving. Directors and staff members reviewed the downward trends
award by award. USPA's awards for number of jumps and time in freefall
tend to reflect the weather and the economy, which haven't been
good of late. While Gold and Diamond levels, representing 1,000
and 2,000 jumps and 12 and 24 hours, respectively, remain popular
(and free), few apply for wings and badges beyond that. Maybe fewer
jumpers stay in the sport much past these milestones, or the $15
cost is a disincentive. Maybe they just aren't interested anymore.
The declining demand for performance awards (Falcon, Eagle, canopy
stack and 3-D) is more perplexing. Perhaps more people are freeflying
earlier in their jump careers and skipping 4-way and 8-way formation
skydiving. It could be, too, because jumpers are progressing at
such a rapid rate that performing these feats is just too easy.
The number of jumpers applying for canopy formation awards remains
small. The newest award, the 3-D designed to recognize multi-dimensional
talent, has attracted only 50 applicants by its third year of availability.
So, what does this all tell us? If we don't subscribe to these programs
and we don't wear or display what we earn when we do, then maybe
we ought to spend membership dollars in other ways. None of these
programs is self-sufficient, or put less delicately, they are collectively
money losers. Maybe it's time for change. We need greater participation,
or we need to throw in the towel.
The membership services community needs to hear from the members.
That's from where the really good ideas come. So here are some thought-provoking
options for each of us to consider:
1. Discontinue awards beyond 2,000
jumps and 24 hours (no more Octa Diamonds or Double Rubies), but
perhaps recognize at 5,000-jump and 48-hour increments beyond
that for a fee.
2. Instead of giving away Gold and Diamond awards and charging
for the higher levels, charge one reasonable price for all.
3. Eliminate formation skydiving, canopy formation and multi-dimensional
awards. No more Falcons, Eagles, stacks or 3-D.
4. Clean the slate of all existing skydiving awards, and replace
them with something new. Think outside the box.
Take a look at Sections 8-2 and 8-3 of
the Skydiver's Information Manual, and then let program designers
know how we feel and what we want. E-mail
us, or send a letter to the editor.
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