The 20 Minute Call - A Skydiving Podcast Doug Barron - Behind the Scenes of the 250-Way State Record Attempts
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About This Episode
Doug Barron returns to share the incredible story behind organizing the 2025 All American Big Way - a 250-way skydiving record attempt at Skydive Chicago that ran simultaneously with a 200-way vertical record. This is a masterclass in event logistics, leadership under pressure, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in skydiving.
Resources Mentioned
📺 250-way Documentary - 25-min film by Anthony Armandiraz
🎙️ Episode 19 - Doug's origin story (December 2023)
💻 SKYCRU - Event management platform
📅 Next Event: September 2028 at Skydive Chicago
What You'll Learn
✈️ How to coordinate 11 aircraft and 260+ jumpers across multiple days
💰 The real financial costs of running large-scale skydiving events
🛠️ Innovative solutions: mobile fuel stations, aircraft choreography, and SKYCRU platform
🧠 Leadership strategies for managing setbacks and keeping teams motivated
📅 What it takes to plan 5+ years ahead for a world-class event
Timestamps
[0:00] Welcome & episode context
[7:00] The 2017 vision that started it all
[14:00] Aircraft logistics & the "corn sharks"
[28:00] Financial realities DZOs face
[42:00] SKYCRU: solving the admin nightmare
[52:00] Leadership through adversity
[57:00] Emotional debrief & looking ahead
Quotable Moments
"If you were to tell a non-skydiver we're taking 100 people in 5 aircraft to 18,000 feet and building a formation in 60 seconds - they'd say it's impossible."
"It's not goal failed, it's goal prolonged. We're going to do it again."
"Safety is always my top priority. No record is worth someone getting hurt."
Connect With Doug Barron
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Presented by SSK Industries, CYPRES, Free Fall Films, SKYCRU and Burble.
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