The U.S. Parachute Association is hosting its 2026 National Canopy Piloting Championships in Pasco County, with events running through September 28. The competition features standard canopy piloting from September 24 to 27 and a freestyle event concluding on the 28th before the awards ceremony. Twenty-seven athletes are competing across Pro/Open, Advanced, and Intermediate divisions for national titles and potential selection for international competition. Unlike traditional skydiving, canopy piloting focuses on parachute control after deployment, testing speed, distance, precision, and choreographed maneuvers over water. Spectators are welcome at Skydive City in Zephyrhills to watch the events being livestreamed online.
Key Points:
- The 2026 National Canopy Piloting Championships are being held in Pasco County through September 28.
- Twenty-seven competitors are participating across Pro/Open, Advanced, and Intermediate divisions.
- Standard canopy piloting events include speed, distance, and accuracy competitions over water.
- Freestyle competitors perform choreographed maneuvers judged on difficulty, execution, and control.
