2026 Conference Email Signature

slogan
     
SESSIONS     SUMMARY     SPEAKERS      

 

We’re heading to Twin Towns, Gold Coast on 13–14 May for the 2026 Conference — and you’re invited!

Over two days, we’ll discuss the topics shaping our industry, hearing from industry leaders, the APF Board Chair, CEO and Management Team, whilst connecting with skydivers from all across Australia.

On 13 May, we will host the annual APF Awards Dinner - celebrating the people and achievements that make our sport great. 
Registrations for the Awards Dinner will close on 05 May 2026.
Please note: Awards dinner registration is not included in one or two day registration options and must be selected in addition if you wish to attend.

The Conference will again provide the opportunity to convene the APF Annual General Meeting, commencing at 5:30 pm on 13 May, prior to the Awards Dinner.

APF would also like to invite you to an informal meet-up and drinks on Tuesday, 12 May, from 6:00–7:00 pm. The venue is on Level 3 of the Twin Towns events centre, in the milling area outside of the conference rooms. Conference registration is required and will open 12 MAY 12:00 pm. Limited snack platters and drinks provided.

Register below to learn, network, celebrate and help drive the future of skydiving.

For updates, please join the Facebook Event page.

Facebook  word
Facebook Event Local Accommodation Twin Towns Delegate Map

Registration Options

Click here for the member registration form (in which you can select your registration options as below)
If you are not an APF member, click here for the Non-Member Registration form.

Registration closes on 05 May 2026.

full regosingle day regodinner rego

2026 Conference

Conference Sessions


Sessions subject to minor changes.

Day 1 Wed 13 May.png

Minor.png

Thu 14 May Day 2.png

Minor.png

Session Summary

 

Session Topic Session Summary Presenter
CEO Address Current challenges and the road ahead Stephen Porter
APF - CEO
Safety & Training Overview Overview of key 2025 Safety and Training developments, including statistics, incident reviews, and international trends Charl Rootman
APF - STM
Sports Development Overview Growing the sport, strengthening the culture Chris Geiler
APF - SDO
CASA Presentation: Safety Culture Details TBC Steve Fickling
CASA - Manager Sport Aviation
 AAD Safety: Vigil Systems How AADs continue to improve safety outcomes Karl Meyer
Vigil
Practical Equipment Session Reducing incidents through better habits, checks and maintenance Ben Nordkamp
APF - NRO 
Rigging Seminar  Rigging seminar on reserve packing and showcasing new Sunpath products Tom Parker
Sunpath
 Mutant Harness Risk management, training and approval to assist DZSOs and CIs Pete Allum (Remote)
Flight-1 / UPT
Tandem Training & Best Practice Modern training approaches, EP principles and maintaining consistent standards for consistent good practice across all tandem aspects, including harnessing, canopy control and landings Neil Wilcox
UPT
Strength & Conditioning for Skysports Athleticism & Injury Prevention: Building strength, mobility and resilience to improve performance and reduce injuries Luke Everett
Limitless Performance Centre
Workplace Regulations & Leadership (Cancelled)  Building a high-performance culture on the drop zone Lison Mage
Executive Coach
Flight-1 Presentation  Details TBC Jake Jensen
Performance Designs
Permanent Activation Altitude Adjustment Applications and operational considerations Andrew Couling
Airtec / Cypres 
Wingsuit Workshop Wingsuiting in Australia: Culture, coaching, and consistency Chris Geiler
APF - SDO
Coaching Workshop Standardising and improving coaching across disciplines and drop zones

Valérie Schmied
Far North Freefall - CI 
Canopy Design & What Changes Over Time JYRO canopy design, materials and line systems influence on flight. How those characteristics change over time
 Matt Walker
JYRO 
Human Factors & Decision-Making in Skydiving How humans process information. Improving judgement, situational awareness and in-air decision-making Chace Eldridge
CASA - Aviation Safety Advisor
Digital Altimeters in Student Training An overview based on experience from 106 drop zones worldwide
 Jens Gronemeyer
ALTI-2
High Performance Under Pressure Managing anxiety and performing under stress Craig Girard & Eliana Rodriguez
Arizona airspeed 4-Way Team
 Q&A Session  Question and answer session with two of the world's highest achieving competitors Craig Girard & Eliana Rodriguez
Arizona airspeed 4-Way Team
The Tully Incident: Lessons Learned  Incident overview, key insights and operational perspectives  Valérie Schmied
Far North Freefall - CI
CI Workshop    

Speakers


We have some exciting guest speakers lined up.
Presentations are still being finalised.

Stephen Porter

Stephen Porter is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Parachute Federation, responsible for leading the organisation’s strategic direction, governance and operations. With extensive experience in aviation and sport administration, he works closely with industry stakeholders to promote safety, participation and growth across Australian skydiving.

APFCEO Address

Charl Rootman

With 33 years in skydiving, Charl Rootman has held roles including competitor, bigway jumper, display organiser, drop zone manager and Chief Instructor. He previously served as a Safety & Training Officer and Area Instructor Examiner before becoming APF Safety & Training Manager. Charl is passionate about safety and training, and will present on safety trends, initiatives, and insights from fatality investigations.

APFSafety & Training Overview

Chris Geiler

Chris Geiler is an Australian wingsuit coach and three-time FAI Wingsuit World Champion with over 12 years of coaching experience, including full-time work in the United States. His background spans competition, athlete development and operations. Chris is actively involved in advancing wingsuiting in Australia, with a focus on clearer progression pathways, stronger coaching standards, and greater national consistency.

APFSports Development Overview

Archie Jamieson

Archie Jamieson, owner of Gold Coast Skydive, has been skydiving since 1986. He quickly achieved over 400 jumps, multiple instructor ratings and competition experience in his first year. Archie has since gained Tandem and AFF endorsements, managed drop zones across Australia and New Zealand, and competed internationally. He remains one of the few owner-operators in the sport.

Gold Coast SkydiveMC

Steve Fickling

Steve Fickling is the Sport Aviation Manager at CASA and a highly experienced skydiver with over 8,000 jumps. He has owned and operated a skydiving business and served as Chief Instructor at multiple operations across Queensland and New South Wales. A former APF Director of Safety and Board member, Steve brings extensive operational, academic and regulatory expertise to his role.

CASASafety Culture

Chace Eldridge

Chace Eldridge is an Aviation Safety Advisor with CASA, with four years’ experience across regulatory projects including the Part 105 Manual of Standards Technical Working Group. With a background as a pilot, he holds a Bachelor of Aviation and has experience across both large and small air transport operations, as well as flight training.

CASAHuman Factors

Craig Girard

Craig Girard is one of the most accomplished skydivers in history, with over 30,000 jumps and more than four decades in the sport. A multiple-time World Champion in 4-way and 8-way, he is a former member of the U.S. Army Golden Knights and long-time leader of Arizona Airspeed. Craig is a Hall of Fame inductee and widely respected coach.

Airspeed 4-Way TeamHigh Performance Under Pressure

Eliana Rodriguez

Eliana Rodriguez is an elite skydiver with over 20 years of experience and a member of top teams including Arizona Airspeed. She has won multiple international gold medals and 21 U.S. National Championships and contributed to numerous world record formations. Eliana was the first woman to medal in 8-way at an FAI World Championship and was inducted into the Skydiving Hall of Fame in 2022.

Airspeed 4-Way TeamHigh Performance Under Pressure

Pete Allum

Pete Alum began skydiving in 1979 and has completed over 36,000 jumps. He has achieved FAI podium finishes in formation skydiving and canopy piloting. Pete is a Flight-1 Instructor and represents UPT/Flight-1, contributing to curriculum development, client approvals and training.

Flight-1Mutant Harness

Karl Meyer

Karl Meyer is the Marketing Director for Vigil AAD and has been skydiving since 1997. He has worked as a competitor, coach and Tandem Instructor, and began his professional career with Aerodyne Research in 2005. Karl has also worked with Performance Designs and Skydive Arizona. His presentation explores insights from Vigil AAD activations and real-world “save” data.

VigilAAD Safety

Neil Wilcox

Neil Wilcox is the Tandem Program Director for United Parachute Technologies, based in Florida. A former British military member, he holds all USPA Examiner ratings and is a Master Parachute Rigger and tunnel instructor. Neil will present “Tandem, Food for Thought,” covering recent industry trends and incident insights relevant to tandem operations.

UPTTandem Training

Andrew Couling

Andrew Couling is a CYPRES Military Consultant delivering global training and safety seminars focused on military parachuting and Special Operations freefall. A former British Army reconnaissance soldier, he has extensive operational experience and instructional roles. Based in Germany, Andy is also an AFF and Tandem Instructor, rigger and competitive 4-way skydiver with over 3,000 jumps.

CYPRESPermanent Activation Altitude Adjustment

Valérie Schmied

Since arriving in Australia in 2009, Valérie Schmied has progressed through roles including Packer, AFF Instructor, Course Trainer, DZSO, Senior Instructor and Chief Instructor, completing thousands of jumps nationwide. An active competitor and organiser, she coaches events ranging from beginner B-Rel to 4-way competition introductions. Valérie is passionate about developing skills and fostering a strong, supportive skydiving community.

Far North FreefallCoaching Workshop

Luke Everett

Luke Everett is a strength and conditioning coach, athlete and founder of Limitless Performance Centre in Brisbane. With over eight years of coaching and 14 years of military service, including Special Operations, he specialises in performance, biomechanics and resilience. Luke has delivered programs for State and National athletes and is currently studying Clinical Exercise Physiology.

Limitless Performance CentreAthleticism & Injury Prevention

Jake Jensen

Jake Jensen is a Flight-1 instructor and competitive vertical formation skydiver. He is a two-time FAI World Champion and five-time USPA National Champion as a member of SDC Core. Jake brings high-level competition experience and coaching expertise to his work in canopy and freefall performance.

Performance DesignsFlight-1 Presentation

Jens Gronemeyer

Jens Gronemeyer is the CEO and President of Alti-2 Technologies, based in Florida. With over 9,000 jumps and nearly 30 years in the sport, he is an AFF Instructor, commercial pilot and engineer. A former drop zone and aircraft owner, Jens is also an Australian big-way record holder and experienced international skydiver.

ALTI-2Digital Altimeters in Student Training

Lison Mage

Lison Mage is an executive coach, leadership speaker and author based on the Gold Coast. She works with organisations across Australia on performance, decision-making and team culture. Creator of the Thinker Style Assessment and author of Act Before You Overthink, Lison brings global corporate experience from Oracle and Salesforce, alongside her background as a licensed skydiver.

Author - Leadership CoachWorkplace Regulations and Leadership

Matt Walker

Matt Walker has been with JYRO for 7+ years, moving from customer service into international sales, leading global demo and dropzone outreach programs worldwide. Matt also contributes as a test jumper within JYRO's R&D team. Matt is a high-performance canopy competitor and freeflyer and flies camera for the Australian flocking team Nexus. 

JYROCanopy Design & What Changes Over Time

Ben Nordkamp

Ben Nordkamp assumed the role of APF NRO in February 2026. An APF Life Member with over 42 years in the sport, he has extensive experience as a rigger, instructor and examiner. Currently Chief Instructor at Ramblers, Ben has over 12,000 jumps and a strong background in coaching, safety roles and organisational leadership within the APF.

NROPractical Equipment Session

Tom Parker

Tom Parker is the Chief Engineer at Sun Path Products, with nearly three decades of experience in parachute system design and innovation. Holding both FAA and Australian Master Parachute Rigger licences, he leads the company’s Research & Development team, focusing on safety, functionality and performance. A named inventor on multiple patents, Tom is also passionate about education, known for simplifying complex concepts and sharing practical, real-world insights.

Sun PathRigger Seminar
CONFERENCE MERCH E-NEWS.png Sponsor tier banner.png
  1. Home
  2. Sports Jumping
  3. Events
  4. APF Conference 2026
<~~apfmembershiponlinerenewal~~>
<~~apfcustomeditmemberurl~~>
: