Congratulations to Paul Smith on receiving the APF's highest award; Master of Sport Parachuting.

Paul 'Poo' Smith is the latest recipient of the Australian Parachute Federation's highest award - the Master of Sport Parachuting - recognising outstanding achievements and service/contribution over many years, that has had a positive and lasting impact on the sport at a national or world level.

 Join us in congratulating Paul, as we take a look at his skydiving journey - so far.

1987 - 2024

1987: Started skydiving aged 16

1990: Became an Instructor

1992: Began competing in skydiving

1995: Became a Pilot

1997: Became a Rigger

1999: Became a Display Organiser

2007: Became a Drop Zone owner (Skydive Oz, Moruya)

2014: Became a member of the APF Aviation Committee.

2024: Awarded APF Master of Sport Parachuting

Competition Career

1992-1999: Multiple Australian champion with 4-way FS team 'Lightspeed' and 8-way FS team 'Rijidij'.

1992: Australian 4-way FS team at World Cup in Moscow, Russia

1993: Australian 8-way FS team at WPC in Eloy, USA.

1995: Australian 8-way FS team at WPC in Gap, France.

1997: Australian 4-way FS team at WPC in Turkey.

1999: Australian 4-way FS team at WPC in Corowa.

Rigging and Test Jumping

Paul worked for Parachutes Australia in the late 1980s, and was a test jumper for the company in the early 1990s, testing the Aerolite, Meteor, Lopo, Viper, X300 canopies and Airforce reserves.

In 1994, Paul returned to Parachutes Australia, working closely with Sandy Reid (of Rigging Innovations in the US) to remodel the Talon container. Many of Paul's ideas resulted in the look of the Talon 2 today. The Talon 2 was the first of a generation of rigs to undergo a remodelling process and many of its competitors have 'borrowed' ideas that were first visualised by Paul and Sandy.

Paul's test jumping career continued beyond Parachutes Australia, as he was a test jumper for the Dual Operating System with Greg Smith in the early 1990s, and for pre-market NZ Aerosports canopies since the late 1990s.

He also designed the Single Point Restraint, produced by Air Safety Solutions, which is CASA approved.

Pilot and DZ Owner

With over 10,000 hours logged as a pilot in command (mostly flying skydivers), Paul has been a Jump Pilot Examiner since 2010 and a member of APF Aviation Committee since it was formed in 2014.

In 2005, Paul opened a training facility in Trangie, NSW, where he operated for two years before relocating to Moruya, NSW in 2007, operating out of the Aero Club.

In 2011, Paul began building a purpose-built drop zone with world-class facilities and training, which came to be known as Skydive Oz, Moruya Heads. Skydive Oz was an all-service drop zone, with a particular focus on Accelerated Freefall courses and student development. It attracted attention from aspiring skydivers all over the world, with students travelling from literally the other side of the world to complete their AFF course at Skydive Oz.

2024 saw the ownership of Skydive Oz change hands, as it was acquired by 1300 Skydive and rebranded as SKYONE Moruya Heads. Paul is still involved in day-to-day operations as the Chief Instructor.

An Inspirational Career

Join us in congratulating Paul on his impressive and inspirational career so far!

Check out the APF Legend's Board, which Paul has now joined and find out more about Paul's story in his recent interview with Flight Style Podcast.

Do you have an inspiring mentor you'd like to honor? Nominate them for one of our awards today! Click here to get started or email [email protected].

If you would like to submit an article, or have a topic request for the APF Blog, please email [email protected].

[Cover Image: TBH Media]