100-year-old skydiver has sights set on breaking world record

One of the UK's bravest centenarians is hoping to break the world record to become the oldest tandem skydiver.

On 2 August, Sydney Crossland celebrated his 100th birthday by jumping 15,000ft and free-falling for 60 seconds at a speed of 125mph.

The former game ranger and engineer, who previously worked in Zambia, has now set his sights on beating the world record, currently held by 101-year-old Verdun Hayes.

Describing his first skydive, Mr Crossland from Emsworth, Hampshire, said: “It’s better than staying at home playing Scrabble. The view was fantastic - you could see Stonehenge. It makes a change from a mobility scooter - they don’t usually require a parachute.”

According to Henk Post, one of GoSkydive’s most experienced instructors, Mr Crossland “didn’t seem nervous” and was “a natural”.

He came to GoSkydive in Salisbury with his family to cheer him on, with some members coming from as far as South Africa and America. And when asked if he had his eyes set on the world record for the oldest skydiver at 101 and 38 days, Mr Crossland said “Yes - my family want to join me for this!”

Mr Crossland has travelled all over the world, experiencing bungee jumping, white water rafting and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. As a trained engineer, he worked across Africa before retiring to Zambia with his wife of 71 years, Olive, who passed away three years ago.

He is now back in England, living in a Guinness Partnership sheltered-housing apartment.

Carl Griffiths, marketing manager for GoSkydive, said: “It was great to have Sydney and his family here with us. He is a real inspiration for those who always wanted to try a skydive but never took the ‘leap’. He couldn’t have picked a better day too!

“We would love to have Sydney back to beat the world record next year.”

GoSkydive is the UK’s leading Tandem Skydiving centre, and as a team it has completed over 50,000 jumps. For more information go to: www.goskydive.com