When I first started jumping, online resources for skydivers were few and far between. Sure, there’s USPA.org when you’re in need of some SIM information or updates to the BSRs, and the Skydiver Network which was started on Ning with good intentions, however doesn’t get much traffic.

Dropzone.com is essentially the online Bible for skydivers and provides information on just about anything in the jumping world, but there really wasn’t anything social and interactive for skydivers aside from the forums – which in my opinion, can be cumbersome when you’re looking for something specific.

This lack of online interaction among skydivers is precisely why I started this blog – for those of us who are stuck behind a computer during the week and not jumping (like we all know we’d rather be doing), blogs and other social networks are great resources for sharing and connecting with other skydivers.

Over the course of the season, I noticed more and more sites and online resources for skydivers popping up. From the launch of DZsocial – where I have been a featured blogger, and some of you may have discovered this site – to the site tied to the new Blue Skies Magazine, to other skydiving bloggers like myself, and even new Facebook groups and pages targeted toward the skydiving community, the information online seems to be overflowing these days.

Here are the few of the resources I have found to be helpful, and a little bit about their functionality:

Social Networks

• DZsocial – still in it’s infancy, this social network has great potential to become what Skydiver Network had intentions of becoming. Head on over there and start a profile today!
• Jumperr – another fairly new online resource, acts as a social network that tracks your jumps. A fun online jump log where you can post photos and detailed memories that just won’t fit in the little space in your log book.

Web sites – Aside from USPA.org and Dropzone.com, here are a few sites where I like to get my skydiving information.

• Swoop Girls – a site for female canopy pilots, those interested in swooping or not. There’s also a great mission: to educate female skydivers on proper canopy piloting.
• Blue Skies Magazine – fun updates, videos and pictures. HIGHLY recommend subscribing to the magazine, though. The information is more comprehensive and, honestly, it’s a fun read! You can follow them on Twitter* as well, for frequent updates on happenings in the skydiving community.
• TraventureMan – a new online adventure and travel series, where episodes will feature interviews with adrenaline junkies, travel aficionados, and much more. As one of the interviewees at Bridge Day this year, and being the girl who coaxed host John into doing his first skydive at my home DZ, I’m a huge advocate. Be sure to check him out on Twitter too!
• BLiNC Magazine – a great resource for BASE jumpers and wingsuiters. They also have a Twitter handle where frequent updates provide all kinds of information on the sport!
• Skydivergirls.tv – another online video series – this time one that focuses on women jumpers. Sponsored by Aerodyne, this is a great resource for all women who skydive or aspire to one day.

Twitter - this online network has drawn a number of skydivers to chronicling their jumping experiences on the Web. As a marketer, I’m a big fan of Twitter. You can follow my Tweets here. I also recommend the following handles:

• @skydiveforums – they actually do have a forums site, too. But as someone who’s not a fan of the cumbersome forum structure, I prefer the Tweets that provide me with important updates.
• @TwittSkydiver – for those skydivers searching for other skydivers to follow.
• @peterdierx – one of my favorite skydivers from The Netherlands. He’s always got great skydiving videos to share
• @skydive4ever
• @skydiver – marketer, PR guru and skydiver. Those of us who were a little late to the Twitter game all envy his handle.

Blogs – because this isn’t the only blog you should be reading!

• Infiniteskydiving’s Weblog. A fairly new find for me, thanks to a link on Blue Skies Mag. Frequent updates during the peak of the skydiving season.
• CSC Blog. Chicagoland Skydiving has their own blog. It’s really more of an “updates” section that isn’t updated as frequently as a blog, but it’s information on the DZ, nonetheless. We definitely need to see more of this on dropzone web sites. As an experienced jumper, reading the experiences at the DZ firsthand would certainly help me make a decision to visit.
• Skydivedudes. As the Skydive Chick, naturally I’m drawn to the skydive dudes!
• Skydiving (the blog): skydiver.wordpress.com. This was the site that ultimately inspired me to become a blogging skydiver. It was nice to read about the experiences of someone as they progressed in the skydiving world.
• SkydiveBlog. By author and skydiver Jeromy Alexander, who is a regular and coach at Skydive Tecumseh in Michigan. He’s also on Twitter if that interests you.

What are some of the sites and resources that you utilize online? What about outside of the skydiving world – any networks that have helped you find your niche?

Blue skies!

Ashley