John Zagoda

32

Joliet, IL

Canopy Piloting (Swoop)

Tinley Park, IL.

Skydive Chicago... I started skydiving at SDC. I've been to over 20 U.S. dropzones including all the other "big" ones... I've found that there's cool people and great talent at most dropzones. When it comes to people, facilities, vibe and general good times, no other dropzone comes close to Skydive Chicago.

I'd have to say that would be my new 90 JVX. I'm loading that suckerat 2.4 and it swoops longer and faster than anything else I've flown.

I've got a bengal cat named "Ragadoo"

Mexican and Italian

Fishing, Trap Shooting, Playing the Drums, Video Editing

Cranking some heavy metal in my truck when I'm on my way out to make some skydives.

F&#k You, You F&#king F&#k

One Friday night at a local bar a couple friends had said that they were going to do their first tandem jumps the next day and asked if I wanted to go. I said "Hell yeah" and I was hooked after my first jump.

Just getting out there and doing it. I love the challenge of it all. Most amazing thing you have ever done: I had two hard crashes in a row that I was able to get up and walk away from back when I was just learning to swoop. Both of those hits could have easily but me in the hospital or worse. They were calling me "Titanium John" for a while back then... I'm not sure if it was because I was able to take such a beating or because they thought I was destined to have some titanium parts in my body. I got lucky and learned form the experiences.

For those wanting to get serious about canopy piloting... GET COACHING! I almost broke myself a few times back when I was in the 300 to 600 jump range because I thought I knew more than I did. I got smart, spent a little money and got real coaching from professionals. It was money well spent because I learned things that might have taken thousands of skydives to figure out on my own.

Ambitious