Kevin McNally, Michael French, Hans Donner

Talk: Into Thin Air: High-Altitude Skydiving Over Everest   

Summary: Elite instructors from Skydive Nimsdai draw on their recent Everest Skydive expedition to show how high-altitude skydiving rewrites the rulebook. 
You will find out how the team planned and executed jumps from a remote 12,500 ft drop zone after a three-day trek through the Himalayas and a flight into one of the world’s most dangerous airports. 
Discover how they balanced adrenaline and absolute discipline, maintaining uncompromising safety standards while taking in some of the most breathtaking scenery on earth. 
Learn about acclimatisation strategies, oxygen procedures and the warning signs of hypoxia, plus the kit adaptations required for thin-air operations, such as larger canopies to support a faster descent and landing. 
If you’re a skydiver hungry for the next challenge, this talk will give you an insight into high-altitude jumping, safely and spectacularly.

Bio: Kevin McNally – Managing Director, Skydive Nimsdai 
A former UKSF operator and parachute specialist, Kevin has completed more than 2,000 jumps around the world in some of the toughest conditions imaginable. He has led teams safely onto tight, unmarked drop zones, day and night, bringing exceptional precision, safety, and leadership to every operation. 
Today, he directs Skydive Nimsdai with the same commitment to excellence and adventure. 
 
Micheal French is a highly accomplished military parachutist and display skydiver with a career spanning more than 25 years in the air. 
 
He began his service in 1998, joining the Parachute Regiment and spending 13 years with 3 PARA, completed eight oversees operational tours. 
In 2011, he was selected to join the world-famous Red Devils, the British Army Parachute Display Team. Since then, he has mastered every major role on the team, including: 
 
• Canopy Formation Specialist 
• Display Stack Pilot 
• Team Camera Flyer 
• Large-Flag Display Parachutist 
• Display Jumpmaster 
 
With an exceptional record of 6,500+ jumps, 3,000+ tandems, and 500+ public displays, he has performed at major events across the UK and internationally, representing the finest standards of military skydiving. 

Ron Bell (USPA Director of Safety & Training) 

Talk: Combating the Normalization of Deviance 

Summary: In skydiving—and in any high-risk endeavor—small shortcuts can quietly evolve into accepted norms when nothing goes wrong. This gradual shift, known as the normalization of deviance, has been blamed for everything from spacecraft disasters to medical errors. But what if the real issue isn’t deviance at all, but something deeper in human nature? This session explores how good people make risky choices, why we fail to notice the drift, and what can be done to reverse it before it becomes routine. 

Bio: Ron Bell is the Director of Safety & Training at the United States Parachute Association (USPA) where he leads initiatives to strengthen skydiving instruction, elevate standards, and safeguard the sport from creeping complacency. 
 
A seasoned instructor, examiner and former military paratrooper-turned-skydiving professional, Ron’s career has centred on building resilient training systems and guiding jumpers and instructors toward peak performance. His background spans both the operational rigor of airborne operations and the teaching mindset required to influence safety culture. 
 
With the evolving dynamics of risk in high-stakes environments — where shortcuts quietly become accepted norms — Ron’s mission is to help the skydiving community recognize that drift early, and instead chart a path toward consistent excellence. His approach blends practical field experience, deep instructional expertise, and a fundamental understanding of human nature under pressure. 

Karl Meyer 

Talk: What’s in a AAD Life Save    

Summary: My seminar looks at the how AAD have positively influenced safety within our sport.  

Bio:

20+ years of experience in the skydiving industry. From tour rep, sponsorship manager, and marketing director, I have spent almost half my life working within the sport I love. Most recently with Vigil where I have been fortunate to be part of a company focused on safety and innovation.  

Lucy Westgarth 

Talk: Head of Delegation: Who, why and how are they there for you? 

Summary: Have you ever wondered what is involved with being Head of Delegation? Who are the British Skydiving volunteers that go with competitors to World Cups or World Championships? Fancy volunteering yourself? 
 
We will cover what the roles and responsibilities are according to FAI documentation, what British Skydiving expects of you, and what you need to consider before volunteering. Scenarios from past competitions and lessons learned will also help inform competitors of the resources available to them at first category events. 

Bio: I started skydiving in 2010, and despite “retiring” in 2017 I am still involved in the sport primarily as a judge. I used to compete in FS, Speed and artistics and I judge FS, Speed and Dynamic. I’ve attended 10 World Cups/World Championships in a variety of disciplines, as either a competitor, competition official or Head of Delegation. 

Derek Thomas– Elite Rigging Academy

Talk: 50 Years of Skydiving, 60 Years of Messing with Parachutes! 

Summary: A fire side chat about the last 50+ years of our sport & and the equipment that has gone along with it… 

Bio: Born in Lower Feltham 1957, grew up around all of the motorcycle racing circuits in the UK. In the mid 60’s it transferred to all the drop zone in the UK…. I was a packing wait for many years, until my little sister was heavy enough and I was promoted to packer. I’ve been a competitor, numerous national championships, more large formation world records than I can remember, and even more nights at the DZ bar than I can for sure not remember…. Oh yeah, and I built a few rigs on the way.  

Ralph Wilhelm 

Talk: Crisis Communication 

Summary: Targeted communication in the event of a serious accident or death in order to prevent legal complications, image loss and economic damage. 

Bio: Internationally active cameraflyer with over 6,800 jumps in 18 years. More than 3,000 camera jumps (tandem, 4-way, 8-way, big way). 238 drop zones in 25 countries, from 345 different aircrafts. Instructor, AFF secondary, tandem master. 
World Championship participant, large formation world records as a jumper and camera flyer. 
 
Marketing manager in “normal” life. 

Jim Bradwell & Rob Jonson

Talk: FreeFallFilms – A Tandem Video Solution That Makes The DZ More Cash   

Summary: FFF delivers tandem customers 4 edits & stills within minutes of landing, no downloading, instantly viewable and shareable to social media, friends and family. The DZ benefits form a host of options to increase revenue, from Upgrades to higher value options, selling the raw footage, The Mech store, Gift certificates, and the “Book your skydive” when shared to name but a few!    

Bio: Jim – 27^th year of skydiving, approaching 3k jumps, lots of FS events around the world including a couple records. Organiser of the UK’s largest annual FS big-way event. 

Rob – 25+ years, coming up to 3k jumps, multiple CRW gold medals and big-way world records. Rob is the official unofficial ringmaster of the annual Summerfest No – Jumpsuit BFR! 

Phil Webley 

Talk: Airspace Deconfliction  

Summary: Demystify airspace deconfliction regarding disciplines that have gained popularity – flocking, tracking, freefly, angle, wingsuit, and high pulls. This talk provides practical insights and strategies to ensure safe and efficient airspace use across diverse skydiving activities. 

Bio:

Flight-1 military and sport instructor 
British Skydiving Advanced Instructor; AFFI; CSI; Coach in CP FF TR FS CH 
USPA AFFI, Coach, PRO Rating 
Military Jumpmaster, Tandem, high altitude 
Former Red Devils 
Wind Tunnel IBA Coach 
BS Advanced Packer and basic rigger, FAA Senior Rigger 
6000 jumps, National medals in CP and VFS 

Mehmet Salih 

Talk: Ascending Through Gravity: Falling Into Myself 

Summary: About the last year and how incredibly skydiving has changed my life in such a short space of time. I want the talk to reach everyone – not just skydivers. I believe that even if people think it’s not for them, they should give it a go. Sometimes, the scariest thing you’ll ever do might just be the best thing you’ll ever do. 

Bio: Mehmet Salih. Physics teacher. Skydiver. Human in progress. He decided that explaining gravity wasn’t enough – he had to argue with it personally. 
 
Since his first jump, he’s learned that skydiving isn’t about escaping fear, but going beyond it – and discovering what waits on the other side in freefall. He believes life’s best lessons happen somewhere between terror and exhilaration – usually around 120 miles per hour. 
 
What began as a single jump with seven of his pupils became a journey of growth, friendship, and self-discovery. He’s passionate about sharing how skydiving builds resilience, trust, and connection – both in the air and on the ground. 

Jack Peploe (With Support – Ryan Garner, Josh Corne, Chris Judd) 

Talk: The Faces and Flightpaths of UK Wingsuiting   

Summary: Behind every wingsuit flight is a story, and the UK has some of the most inspiring stories in the sport today. From performance champions like Ryan Garner and Josh Corne, to creative acro teams, to the growing flocking community, the faces of UK wingsuiting are shaping the flightpaths of the future. 
 
In this session, we’ll explore the different disciplines, Performance, Acro, Flocking, XRW, AWF and even the Wingsuit Tunnel, through the lens of the people driving them forward. We’ll celebrate their achievements, highlight how anyone can get involved, and open the floor to discuss what’s next: new record attempts, fresh competition formats as well as how the community can evolve together. 
 
Whether you’re already a wingsuiter or just wingsuit-curious, this is your chance to connect with the people behind the flight and help shape the next chapter of UK wingsuiting. 

Bio:

Jack Peploe is a four-time UK National Champion in Wingsuit Acro, Bronze medallist at the European Championships, and Captain of Turbo Ice Cloud, the UK’s leading wingsuit acrobatics team. With nearly 800 jumps since beginning his skydiving journey in 2018, Jack has represented Great Britain on the world stage and flown in some of the most iconic environments, from carving alongside an aircraft in formation to tracing the ridges of the Eiger. 
 
As the Technical Excellence Advisor for Wingsuiting to British Skydiving and a member of the FAI ISC Wingsuit Flying Committee, Jack plays a key role in shaping the future of the discipline both nationally and internationally. He also leads UK Wingsuiting, a community of over 1,000 flyers dedicated to advancing safety, education, and progression within the sport. 
 
Jack is a Squirrel Coach and proudly sponsored by Travel Parachute Systems, Squirrel, and LB Altimeters. His mission is to elevate wingsuiting through connection, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in the sky. 

Alec Bates 

Talk: SCUBA 101: Another Way to Fly for Skydivers 

Summary: If you love flying through the air, you’ll love the freedom and focus you get underwater. 
 
SCUBA 101 introduces why SCUBA belongs in your life, how to start, safety and equipment basics, progression opportunities, costs, and answers to the top 10 beginner questions. 
 
You’ll also find out how your skydiving skills; risk management, situational awareness, and training discipline; give you a head start in diving. 

Bio: Alec is a PADI, SSI and BSAC dive instructor and holds a Commercial SCUBA diving certification. He certified as a SCUBA diver in 2009 and gained his Skydiving ‘A’ Licence a few years later. 
An active competitor in formation skydiving, he has flown with teams; ’29K, Pantheon, KG8′ and ‘Just M8s’ in both 4 and 8-way disciplines. Alec became a SCUBA professional in 2015 and continues to split his time between skydiving and teaching SCUBA diving. 
At the Expo he’ll talk about some similarities & differences between Skydiving & SCUBA’s safety culture and also cover entry routes into the sport, some equipment considerations, progression routes and transferable skills. 
He’s passionate about introducing new audiences to diving and helping skydivers expand their skills below the water as well as above it. 

Rick Boardman 

Talk: Reserve Pilot Chute Launches – Developing / Enhancing Tests  

Summary: When you deploy a reserve for repack, what’s good, what’s not? How can we simply gather data on Spring performance, whilst reducing the variables? The MODs Delivery Team responsible for Airborne Equipment wanted some answers… 

Bio: Rick started jumping in 1981 in the Midlands whilst on the dole. Since then, apart from hospital trips, he’s been in and around UK skydiving ever since, and refuses to go away (like body odour). He’s instructed for 20+ years. and fixed parachutes for 36. He’s been a barman, an Army Air Corps soldier, self-employed, a climber, a rambler, demo and comp jumper, a swordsman, a mentor of youth, and once guarded Stonehenge through the Winter. He has never been a jump-hog/sky-god, may one day go radically down to a 190 (because downsizing eats femurs), is a proud Dad&Opa, is registered disabled, and a pilot. He’s a Trekkier, and makes the best Sloe Gin ever drank at the AGM. A BS Rigger Examiner and FAA Master Rigger, he is an SME for Defence Equipment & Supply, working with the team of engineers responsible for Airborne Equipment. He’s beginning to think that he’s been Neuro-diverse all along….discuss? “Skydivers are my people!”  

Damien Sorlin (Sunpath) 

Talk: Packing of the Reserve into a Javelin Odessey (+ Tips & “Tricks”) 

Summary: Practical packing seminar of the reserve parachute into a Javelin Odyssey

Bio:

• In sport since: 1998 
• Number of jumps: 13000+ 
• Aff instructor since: 2001 
• Number of jumps as an AFF instructor: 4000 
• Current home DZ: Gap (France) 
• Belly flyer ( 3 World champion titles in 8way) 
• Load organiser 
• AFF instructor and instructor / examiner for new instructors 
• Tandem Master 
• Master Rigger, instructor / examiner for new riggers 
• Member of the security commission of the French Federation 
• Boss of Veloce Parachutisme (Shop, School, Rigging loft) 
• Official Master rigger for Sun Path Products Inc 

Andrew Samper (UPT) 

Talk: Packing the SR Reserve in the Sigma II / Packing the Vector 3 Reserve

Summary: Tips and tricks on packing the SR in the Sigma II. 
Tips and tricks on packing the Vector 3 sport reserve. 

Bio: I am the Rigging Loft Supervisor at United Parachute Technologies. I started jumping in 2012 at Skydive Louisiana, spent some time packing and jumping in Colorado, and joined UPT in 2020. Rigging has become my field of expertise, but skydiving as a whole is still my passion, slowly earning multiple instructor ratings and spending my weekends organizing freeflying and coaching new jumpers. 

Mike Nisbet 

Talk: The Road to The 250 

Summary: My Big Way Journey to qualify to be selected to participate in The 250 Attempt and my roadmap to re qualify; and POPS/SOS events in planning

Bio:

tbc

Lucy Mancey

Talk: The Lost Art of Packing – Revisited

Summary: Packing shouldn’t be a mystery or a misery. This fast-paced session mixes practical demos with straight-talking advice to help you pack smarter, not harder. Whether you’re brand new or just rusty, you’ll walk away with better technique, more confidence, and fewer line-twists in your future. I spent years working as a full-time packer, so I know all the shortcuts, the bad habits, and the aches that come with the job — but I also know how to pack properly, efficiently, and with confidence. My sessions are fully inclusive and interactive, and I love it when people ask questions. Whether you’re new to the mat or just looking to brush up your technique, come say hi. No judgement, no stupid questions, and no boring lectures — just practical advice, hands-on demos, and a few laughs along the way.

Bio:

With over 25 years in the sport, I’ve packed a lot of parachutes — my back and hands will gladly confirm it. I’m an advanced packer, 8-way FS competitor (Shout out to team Deton8!), and this is my fourth year of giving talks at Skydive Expo.

Jonas Tholin & Chris Judd 

Talk: Inclined – Slovenia – Tunnel Construction ‘a How-To’ 

Summary: Join Jonas Tholin (CEO of Inclined) and Chris Judd (Inclined UK Ambassador), for an inside look at the new Slovenian Indoor Wingsuit tunnel! We will take you behind the scenes of its development and building, giving you an up close look at the wild (and sometimes painful!) journey to its opening in January 2026 including some things you would never expect. Come to join us for a fun talk which will include Stickers! 

Bio: Jonas Tholin – Co-Founder of Inclined AB which covers both the Stockholm and now Slovenian Indoor Wingsuit Tunnels. 
 
Chris Judd — passionate thick-cloud hater and wingsuit enthusiast — has been skydiving since 2006 and flying wingsuits since 2011. A Phoenix-Fly devotee, he’s a British Skydiving Wingsuit Coach and 2023 Intermediate Performance Nationals winner. He is the ambassador to Inclined in the UK and runs several events throughout the year times a year. 

Oli Diprose

Talk: How To Be A Professional Tandem Instructor

Summary: A talk on how to become a Tandem Instructor and how to make it your career. 

Bio: Oli is a Tandem Instructor and the DZ Manager of GoSkydive, Old Sarum which specialises in tandem skydiving in the UK. 

Natalia Lopez 

Talk: The Business Case for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Skydiving 

Summary: This seminar aims to address the importance of fostering a more inclusive skydiving community. Natalia will discuss how this is not just a matter of fairness and respect, but it also brings tangible benefits to the skydiving industry. This is because a diverse and welcoming environment attracts a broader customer base, encourages participation from underrepresented groups, and strengthens community engagement. 

Bio: Natalia Lopez made her first jump 3 years ago at UK Parachuting in Beccles. Since then, she has skydived in 11 countries and 53 different locations. A passionate skydiver on weekends and a finance worker during the week, she will draw from her professional experience to demonstrate that embracing diversity enhances both the social and business aspects of skydiving. 

Sergey Ichtchenko 

Talk: Establishing the Oxford Skydiving Club     

Summary: In this talk, Sergey will talk about how he set up a skydiving club for students at the University of Oxford. He will demonstrate what challenges there are in setting up a new club, some funny stories about what happened along the way, and what tips and tricks he found useful. The talk will conclude with a discussion with the audience on how to keep such clubs running in the next few years.   

Bio: Sergey is a PhD student in Computer Science at the University of Oxford. He started skydiving in the spring of 2025 in Finland, and is now passionate about getting more university students into the sport. 

Dr Haider Al-Jaaberi 

Talk: Peak Performance for Skydivers: Small Changes, Big Impact      

Summary: Even the smallest habits can profoundly influence how we perform in the sky. From mindset and preparation to focus, recovery, and emotional regulation — human performance is the foundation of safe and effective skydiving. 
 
In this session, we’ll explore how small, evidence-based adjustments in sleep, nutrition, mindset, and daily routines can sharpen your awareness, improve decision-making, and elevate your performance both in the air and on the ground

Bio: Dr. Haider Al-Jaaberi is a dedicated skydiver with over a decade in the sport, based in the UK. 
 
At the EXPO he will bring his passion for safety and human performance to the forefront. Combining medicine with adventure, Haider’s work focuses on helping skydivers perform at their best — and stay safe doing it. He explores how training, recovery, nutrition, supplementation, sleep, and injury prevention all play a role in building stronger, safer athletes both in the sky and on the ground. 
 
Drawing on his medical background, he shares practical insights on how drop zones can strengthen