HONOLULU (HI Now) - Most people might skydive once to check it off their bucket list. Kim Knor, 86, has made it her life’s mission to reach 1,000 jumps. On Thursday, Nov. 6, she will achieve that extraordinary milestone, earning the United States Parachute Association (USPA) Gold Wings Award at Jump Florida Skydiving, a premier drop zone between Orlando and Tampa. Kim will jump with Hall of Fame skydiver, former USPA President, and U.S. Army veteran Jay Stokes. Kim’s daughters Tara and Holly will also make their own tandem jumps on the same load.
Kim’s love for the skies began at an early age. At just five years old, she knew she wanted to skydive after her uncle brought home a military parachute from World War II. In 1959, she made that dream a reality when she forged her parents’ signatures to make her first jump at age 18. From there, she sold her possessions, bought a Eurail Pass and an open-ended plane ticket, and set off across Europe, visiting 21 countries as a passionate parachute enthusiast.
In 1961, Kim broke barriers as one of only two women competing against men at the U.S. Parachute Team tryouts. A year later, she made history as a member of the first U.S. Women’s Parachute Team, which went on to win gold at the sixth World Parachuting Championships. After a 37-year hiatus to raise her children, Kim returned to the sport in 2003 and hasn’t stopped. In 2023, with 545 solo jumps under her belt, she embarked on a quest to earn her Gold Wings by making tandem skydives. On this journey, she has since traveled the U.S. visiting 90 drop zones, inspiring fellow skydivers and adventure seekers to defy limits and chase lifelong dreams.
Kim’s 1,000th jump coincides with the 2025 International Skydiving Hall of Fame Celebration at Jump Florida Skydiving on Nov. 6-8. She will receive her USPA Gold Wings Award on Friday, Nov. 7, at 3:30 p.m. The USPA Gold Wings Award honors skydivers who reach 1,000 jumps, a feat few ever achieve. Fellow skydivers, friends, and spectators will gather in Lake Wales, Florida, to celebrate and honor her remarkable journey.
We also want to extend our thanks to all of the drop zones across the country who have generously supported Kim’s journey along the way by donating tandem skydives. To learn more about skydiving and find a drop zone near you, visit www.uspa.org.
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