Anthony Ebel D-30074
Profiles
Monday, June 30, 2025
Anthony Ebel got his start in skydiving by drinking through a firehose, making his first jump at the 2002 World Free Fall Convention in Rantoul, Illinois. Nine-thousand jumps later, he has embedded himself into the sport’s safety culture, serving as general manager and Safety and Training Advisor at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa. He makes one of the busiest drop zones in the world run like a finely tuned machine, but also makes plenty of time for working with students as a tandem and AFF instructor. In March, the USPA Board of Directors presented Ebel with the USPA Regional Achievement Award.
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“Since Anthony’s arrival into the skydiving world, it is just better. His passion for safety carries our sport to a new level, and we are grateful to have him at Skydive Chicago.” –Rook Nelson, Parachutist profilee #32
Age: 40
Height: 5’10”
Birthplace: Quincy, Illinois
Marital Status: Married to Nicole Ebel 10 years, together for 15
Children: Two, Vivienne and Adler
Pets: One dog, two cats
Occupation: General manager, S&TA and instructor at Skydive Chicago
Education: Bachelor’s degree in psychology and political science
Pet Peeves: When ego gets in the way of talent and when people armchair-quarterback someone after a chop. You should high-five them with a “great job,” then give them constructive criticism.
Pre-Jump Superstitions: When I check my three straps before exit, my pinky is always out.
Hobbies: Running, yardwork, traveling whenever possible
Favorite Food: Grilled pork steak
Rock, Rap or Country? Rock with a guilty pleasure for bluegrass
Life Philosophy: Just work the problem and enjoy every moment.
Hard opening or line twists? Neither. But line twists.
Team Name: Team SDC
Sponsors: None, unless someone wants to.
Container: United Parachute Technologies Vector
Main Canopy: Performance Designs Valkyrie 90
Reserve Canopy: PD Reserve 120
AAD: Always—never a reason to not have one. CYPRES.
Discipline: Safety
Year of First Jump: 2002
Licenses/Ratings: A-49285, B-31446, D-30074; S&TA, Tandem and AFF Instructor
Total Jumps: About 9,000
Tandem: 7,000
Camera: 800
FS: 500
Freefly: 500
Largest Completed Formation: 23-way
Cutaways: Eight and a half: I had one while on front, evaluating a tandem. I did not cut away, but told the instructor to cut away before landing the reserve from the front.
How did you get into skydiving?
I grew up in Quincy, where they held the World Free Fall Convention. My dad owned a restaurant and catered the parties and staff, and as cheap labor I was introduced to that craziness at 14. Then he did a tandem and I asked him what it was like. His response: “Son, I don’t know if you’ve had it, but it’s as good if not better than sex.” I counted down the days until I turned 18 and jumped in Rantoul. Never looked back.
What jump stands out the most?
It’s hard to pick just one. I remember many tandem students and have met extraordinary people wanting to live life—and put their life into my hands. It’s very cool to be a part of that. Every year now, I hear stories from people coming back, saying, “You took me or my grandfather years ago.” They loved it and have talked about it all the time. For some people, it’s a defining moment in their lives, and it’s awesome to be a part of that.
What would you like to see implemented at more drop zones?
Emphasis on landing patterns, landing direction and being aware of weather conditions.
What are your future skydiving goals?
To jump the pyramids.
What safety item do you think is most important?
The ability to react under stress. Unfortunately, some people don’t know how they will react until they are in the situation and it's too late. I think it's important to go over emergency procedures constantly.
I skydive because …
For four minutes, that is your only focus. You can put the rest of the world away.
Any suggestions for students?
Enjoy the process, even the weather holds.
What's the most bad-ass thing you can do in the air?
I would not consider myself a “bad-ass” skydiver, but I do feel that I’m very situationally aware.
Were you a hard child to raise?
I think I gave my parents a run for their money, and now that I have kids, I have apologized to them many times.
What could everyone do to make Earth a better place?
Plant a tree.
Most embarrassing moment at a DZ:
I had been jumping a lot and was looking for my rig that I thought I had set down. After a few minutes, someone asked me what I was doing. When I told them I was looking for my rig they pointed out I was wearing it. I realized at that point I needed to take a break.
The toughest thing to do in skydiving is:
Make enough money to pay for it.
Is there one jump you would do over?
My first jump. I think it would be like experiencing Christmas as a child again.
What do you consider your most significant life achievement?
Making a good life for me and my family while doing something that I love.
What has been your strangest thought in freefall?
I try to stay focused while jumping, but I'll admit I've thought about dinner a few times.
Suggestions for USPA:
I think USPA is doing much better than they have in the past. The online stuff for the S&TAs has been super helpful.
Best skydiving moment?
Landing on a beach after a 10-way with friends, with all my family being on the beach. It had been a very long week, so it was quite cathartic.
Greatest competition moment?
I haven’t competed but have helped run many Nationals and world events. The blowing up of the 2016 Mondial sign was a good moment.
How should skydivers prepare before visiting a large DZ?
The rules are not there to make your life horrible, they are there because something happened, and we’re trying to avoid it happening again. For younger jumpers not to get scared of so many people in the sky; we still only drop one plane at a time. And look out for horse farms.
What should people know about Skydive Chicago?
It’s a machine, and every part is just as important as the other to make it work—counting every person that instructs, organizes, manifests, loads the plane and cleans toilets.
Anthony Ebel in five words or fewer:
Hard-working and loyal.