about us

Welcome to THE CANOPY FLIGHT SCHOOL, where our passion is to revolutionize canopy coaching through accessible, mentorship-driven training for skydivers of all experience levels. We believe that continuous progression, safety, and shared learning are at the heart of every skydiver's journey, and our mission is to normalize ongoing canopy progression—from the very first jump to advanced maneuvers.

guided

Progress

continuous learning

Shared Responsibility

mentorship

Community Support

Growth

SAFETY

Meet the Team

  • Total Jumps: 11,000+
    Current Canopy: PD Valkyrie 71
    Certifications: USPA AFF-I, Coach, Tunnel Instructor Spotter A, (Former USPA C/E, USPA/UPT I/E)
    Home DZ: Skydive Spain

    Notable Records:
    14-way 3-point night sequential head down world record (2021)
    24-way 2-point head down sequential euro-record (2018)
    43-way head up euro-record (2017)

    Skydiving Journey and Accomplishments:

    Julian’s skydiving career began in 2009, and he quickly made his mark in the industry as a coach and instructor. With over 11,000 jumps, he’s worked with military and civilian skydivers worldwide, focusing on freeflying, canopy piloting, and wind tunnel training. Julian has been a key figure in the development of Fluid Dynamics and recently has joined Momentum Flight. He has also held leadership roles, serving as an examiner and evaluator for various skydiving certifications. His accomplishments are as impressive as his love for teaching.

    Why Julian Loves Skydiving and Coaching:

    Skydiving is a sport that allows constant growth, from mastering one discipline to diving into another. Julian loves the feeling of being part of his students’ journey, especially when they go from being a novice to someone who deeply understands and appreciates the sport. The community is what keep him coming back for more.

    Coaching Philosophy:

    “Make yourself obsolete as fast as possible” – Julian’s coaching philosophy centers on empowering students to become independent, confident skydivers. He emphasizes breaking down complex ideas into simple, digestible pieces, so students understand the fundamentals and are set up for success.

    Fun Fact:

    When he’s not skydiving, Julian enjoys paragliding, surfing, playing guitar, and practicing martial arts. Though his skydiving schedule keeps him busy, he hopes to dedicate more time to these passions in the future.

  • Total Jumps: 7500+
    Current Canopy: Icarus World GTR 64
    Certifications: USPA AFF, TDM, UPT TDM
    Home DZs: Skydive Voss / Skydive BCN

    Skydiving Journey and Accomplishments:
    David’s skydiving journey began in 2012 in Empuriabrava, but it wasn’t until 2016 that he started coaching. Over the years, he has dedicated himself to becoming a full-time skydiving coach. Traveling the world, including stints at Skydive Dubai and Skydive Voss, has refined his coaching style and approach. David’s focus now is on mentoring students to become independent, skilled skydivers. As a co-founder of The Canopy Flight School, he is committed to providing clear guidance and structured progression for every student, from beginners to advanced pilots.

    Why I Love Skydiving and Coaching:
    Skydiving isn’t just about the jumps; it’s about the people and the connections we make. David loves being a part of his students’ journeys, watching them grow from nervous beginners to confident, skilled skydivers. Coaching allows him to help others unlock their potential while enjoying the adventure of skydiving.

    Coaching Philosophy:
    David believes in providing a clear roadmap for progression. He aims to give his students the tools they need to succeed and encourages them to challenge themselves while maintaining safety and fun. He emphasizes that the skydiving journey is a lifelong learning experience, and every jump is an opportunity to grow.

    Fun Fact:
    Outside of skydiving, David enjoys exploring new places and cultures. His travels have not only shaped his coaching but also enriched his understanding of the sport and its global community.

  • Total Jumps: 3000+
    Current Canopy: 67 Valkyrie
    Certifications: USPA + DFU AFF-I, Coach, TCFS Canopy Coach, DFU Reserve Packer
    Home DZ: Based around the skydiving clubs of Denmark, with frequent visits to Skydive Voss in Norway.

    Skydiving Journey and Accomplishments:

    Tea started skydiving at 16 in Denmark and fell in love with the sport and it's community. After high school, she pursued skydiving full-time, working as a packer at Dropzone Denmark. Over the years, Tea’s passion for teaching grew, and she found interest in AFF instructing, where she developed a love for canopy flight, thanks to her mentor, Marcos Darman. His ongoing guidance, support, and encouragement—whether in person or from afar—have deeply shaped her coaching style.

    She’s worked across the globe, from Spain to Canada, and has a strong passion for the supportive, close-knit skydiving communities she’s part of.

    Why She Loves Skydiving and Coaching:

    “Skydiving is a welcoming community where everyone belongs, regardless of background or skill level.” Tea enjoys the nuances and freedom of the sport as well as the opportunity to help students discover the joy of flight. Coaching allows her to share this excitement, seeing her students grow and develop in a sport she’s passionate about.

    Coaching Philosophy:

    Skydiving is about enjoying the journey, not just reaching the finish line. Tea emphasizes fun, progress, and the power of learning from mistakes. Celebrating small victories and approaching challenges with a positive mindset are key to successful progression.

    Fun Fact:

    Tea grew up on a farm, where barefoot adventures and the occasional stepping in cow poop were part of the charm. When she’s not skydiving, you’ll find her flying kites, dreaming of paragliding, or enjoying a good dark chocolate bar. Her “crazy aunt” persona makes her the go-to for fun family adventures.

    Social Media:

  • Total Jumps: 6000+
    Current Canopy: Leia 69
    Certifications: USPA Coach & AFF-I, TAN-I, UPT TAN-I
    Home DZ: Skydive Spain

    Skydiving Journey and Accomplishments:

    Skydiving has completely transformed my life, offering me new perspectives and opportunities I never thought possible. After discovering the sport, I became passionate about sharing it with others, leading me to pursue teaching. While I enjoy freefall jumps, my true fascination lies in canopy flight—especially hop n pops, where I can solely focus on perfecting those skills. The possibilities and potential for growth within the canopy flight discipline have always impressed me, and I strive to pass that enthusiasm onto others.

    Why I Love Skydiving and Coaching:

    Skydiving has introduced me to an incredible community of people, showing me that there are countless paths in life. I’m driven by a desire to keep this community safe while making sure everyone enjoys the thrill of the sport. Skydiving, to me, is all about risk management, balancing the excitement with responsibility.

    Coaching Philosophy:

    Skydiving is about managing risk; there’s no absolute right or wrong, just varying degrees of risk. My approach is to maximize fun while ensuring safety is always a priority. I believe in taking a pragmatic approach to progression, ensuring that every jump is as enjoyable and controlled as possible.

    Fun Fact:

    Outside the sky, I’m fascinated by psychology—especially how focus and mental processes affect performance in high-pressure environments like skydiving. I also run SkydiveShop.com, where I help jumpers from all over the world find the gear that fits both their body and their flying goals. It's just another way I get to stay connected to the sport I love.

    Social Media:

  • Total Jumps: 4000
    Canopy Currently Flying: PD Valkyrie 90
    Certifications: USPA S&TA, AFF Instructor, Tandem Instructor
    Home DZ: Skydive Algarve, Portugal

    Skydiving Journey and Accomplishments:
    Manny Maia’s skydiving journey began in 2012 during his time with the British Airborne Forces, where his first experience with parachuting sparked a deep passion for the sport. After leaving the military, Manny completed his AFF course in 2016 and immediately fell in love with sport parachuting. Over the following years, he traveled and worked in the skydiving industry, starting as a packer at Skydive Elsinore in California. Today, he’s a multi-rated instructor and holds key leadership roles as Safety Officer and Operational Coordinator at Skydive Algarve in Portugal.

    Manny is also a host and organizer of Trackdays, an angle-flying event at Skydive Algarve, and is actively involved in several other skydiving projects, including The Canopy Flight School and Spectrum Skydive School. His passion for the sport is matched by his commitment to innovation, continuous development, and mentoring the next generation of skydivers.

    Why He Loves Skydiving and Coaching:
    Skydiving, for Manny, is not just a sport but a way of life. His love for coaching and canopy piloting stems from the thrill of both personal growth and sharing those experiences with others. He believes in a holistic approach to teaching, focusing on safety, fun, and personal achievement, helping each student navigate the sky with confidence and purpose.

    Coaching Philosophy:
    Manny’s coaching philosophy revolves around fostering a supportive, fun, and challenging environment where every skydiver can grow at their own pace. Whether it’s high-performance canopy piloting, flocking, or freeflying, he prioritizes teaching students the importance of safety while empowering them to push boundaries and continually improve.

    Fun Fact:
    When he’s not skydiving, Manny can often be found hiking along the coast, DJing, or riding fast motorbikes—always seeking the next adventure.

Our Mission

We provide accessible, mentorship-driven canopy coaching for skydivers at all experience levels, focusing on continuous progression and safety. Our goal is to offer clear guidance, build confidence, and create a supportive environment where every skydiver can develop their skills at their own pace. Through collaboration and shared learning, we strive to make canopy coaching an essential part of every skydiver's journey.

Contact us

Have questions, suggestions, or need more information? Or just want to request for a canopy course at your DZ? Just reach out to us.