Robin Jandle D-34687
Profiles
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Above: Photo by Anthony Armendariz.
Robin Jandle started skydiving on the north shore of O’ahu in 2010, where she developed a deep appreciation for canopy flight. Almost 10,000 jumps later, she has made more than a mark in the canopy piloting world, including helping to power the U.S. Parachute Team to the gold in team overall at the 2023 World Cup of Canopy Piloting. Back home, she is passionate about passing on her knowledge to young skydivers, both as school director at Skydive Paraclete XP in Raeford, North Carolina, and as a Superior Flight Solutions canopy course instructor. With the 2025 USPA National Skydiving Championships on the horizon, Jandle has her sights set on returning to the podium yet again.
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“Robin Jandle is the jumper that others should try to embody. Not only is she a world-class skydiver and competitor, but she is a good person and teammate on and off the drop zone—one who makes the sport better as a whole.” —V Prib, Parachutist profilee #265
Age: 37
Height: 5’4”
Birthplace: Antioch, California
Children: Carmen and Mac
Pets: Carmen and Mac
Occupation: Superior Flight Solutions instructor, Paraclete XP school director, JYRO U.S. representative, AFF instructor and professional videographer
Education: Business management
Pet Peeves: Being late and poor aircraft etiquette
Pre-Jump Superstitions: I’m quite particular about my gear. If it’s not perfect, I’m disgruntled.
Hobbies: Hiking, speed-flying, high-intensity training, tunnel flying, traveling, cooking and reading
Life Philosophy: “Expect to self-rescue.”
Jump Philosophy: Stay the course and enjoy the journey.
Sponsors: GLH Systems, Jyro, Larsen & Brusgaard, Manufactory Apparel, SSK Industries and Tonfly
Container: United Parachute Technologies Mutant harness and 306 Micron
Main Canopy: Jyro Sleia 66, Petra 58, Petra 64, Petra 66, Leia 69
Reserve Canopy: Performance Designs Reserve 106
AAD: Speed CYPRES
Home Drop Zone: Skydive Hawaii and Skydive Paraclete XP
Licenses/Ratings: A-60041, C-40575 and D-34687; USPA S&TA, AFF-I, SL-I and Coach; FAA Senior Rigger
Current Records: Women's national records for fastest carved speed and longest drag distance, women's North American record for fastest carved speed, women's world record for longest drag distance. Plus a few state records.
Total Jumps: 9,800
Camera: 6,000-plus
Cutaways: 6
What drives your competitive spirit?
The never-ending mental and physical challenge of striving for perfection. I have a lot of pride representing the U.S. Parachute Team.
Most people don't know this about me:
I’m a social introvert. I also had 8,000 jumps before flying in a tunnel.
Which jump stands out the most?
My most memorable skydiving experiences include mountain runs in Norway with the Petra, jumping with my dad and a few others I can't discuss.
How long do you plan on skydiving?
Until the cows come home.
Who have been your skydiving mentors?
I'm grateful to a few key people in my skydiving journey. Joe Turner and Mikeyi were there for me at the start. Gage Galle truly changed my path by encouraging me to enter my first competition, which led me to where I am now. I also deeply appreciate Richard Doppelmayer, known as "Papa Dop," a legend at Skydive Hawaii who looked out for us and kept everyone in check.
What are your future skydiving goals?
I'd like to work towards a VFS or MFS team. To keep progressing as an instructor and continue pressing in CP.
What safety item do you think is most often neglected?
Most have no idea how to properly hook up a canopy on risers. Wild.
I skydive because …
Staying active is key to longevity.
Any suggestions for students?
To truly appreciate skydiving, go beyond the social aspect and grasp the dedication required for learning, progressing and staying safe. Resources are readily available, and the community is eager to help you.
What's the most bad-ass thing you can do in the air?
Keeping a tandem video in frame. Ha.
If you could do a fantasy 2-way with anybody, whom would it be with and where would it take place?
It would be back home with my buddy Arnd Maria Van Rickelen. I promised him a fun jump when he returned back to Hawaii, but sadly he passed away in Germany from a skydiving-related accident. He was a good dude. On a lighter note, a 2-way in Hawaii with my Matty G.
What do you consider your most significant life achievement?
My present professional status. I’ve worked unbelievably hard to be where I'm at. Leaving Hawaii to follow my passion presented considerable challenges. North Carolina and XP have been good to me.
What has been your strangest thought during freefall?
The hair straightener has been on for hours.
Suggestions for USPA:
Less is more.
Best skydiving moment?
When my parents came to watch me compete for the first time at West Tennessee Skydiving. It was upon rollout on the first round where I noticed my mom drinking a margarita at the entry gates. Legend.
Weirdest skydiving moment?
Not really skydiving, but I was featured in a Japanese lifestyle magazine in my jumpsuit. I then did a documentary for a Chinatown film festival about skydiving. The voiceover from that was on a commercial tourism ad for Skydive Hawaii and played on all the channels for every hotel in Honolulu. It was strange hearing my voice everywhere.
What advice would you give to aspiring swoopers?
Having a strong canopy piloting foundation and a mentor from the beginning is beneficial. Starting in the beginner division with existing canopy skills and an understanding of how to use control inputs in various conditions, along with my interest in aviation weather, made learning easier and safer for me. I wasn't perfect by any means, but I understood the weather and how to swoop.
What do you see as the future of swoop competitions?
I’m hoping the future brings more education and hopefully more turnout. Participant turnout in competitions seems to be declining, possibly due to time in the sport, financial considerations or skill. My goal is to encourage new people to join the sport while emphasizing safety and following rules. I know a place that has an awesome swoop pond, and I’m here to help.
Explain Robin in five words or fewer:
Transparent and gritty.