Kingston University Skydiving club has been recognised as the country’s leading skydiving club.

The achievement is based on the number of first time jumpers that have already been put through their RAPS (Ram-Air Progression System) course and is an acknowledgment of the great progress the club has made.

The RAPS course is a two day static line parachute course and is the first step towards becoming a qualified jumper. Of the 104 current Kingston University members, 55 have already completed their first jump.

KU Skydiving President Jason Kelleher, part of a formation skydiving team which ranked 12^th in the UK in its category and class last year, is delighted with the club’s success. “It’s brilliant, each and every student within KU Skydiving has shown an unprecedented devotion to the sport and they’ve been rewarded” he said.

A significant change from previous years has been the reduction in the costs of jumps. Where last year students were charged £175 per jump, they can now complete five jumps for as little as £265. “The cheaper than normal rate we’re getting this year means the club has become really popular and that can only be beneficial” said Kelleher.

Success has come regularly for the club in recent times. Last year, a number of club members were involved in the team that achieved sixth place in an inter-university formation diving competition.

In the individual events, one member achieved fourth place in the “Canopy Accuracy”, a competition testing the jumper’s ability to land as close as possible to a designated target. The KU member landed just seven feet and three inches from the target.

Sinziana Sighiartau, one of the club’s most successful members this year, described her emotions when jumping from the plane. “Skydiving is both the most amazing and the most frightening thing I’ve even experienced!” she said.

Elizabeth Henthorn, a Study Abroad student from Nebraska, was new to skydiving this year and is full of encouragement for anyone wishing to take up the sport. "Skydiving is something I never thought I would do. After the enthusiasm I felt at the first meeting, I tried it.  It is one of the best experiences of my life.”

The sky’s the limit for the KU club, and Mr Kelleher believes that continued dedication could soon see the club competing with some of the country’s bigger sporting universities. “We’re not quite there just yet. But if our members continue to show such a phenomenal level of commitment for the rest of the academic year, then we will be in a fantastic position to aim for first place in the Universities League next year” he said.