British Parachute Association

Infobox Sport governing body
assocname= British Parachute Association
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sport= Parachuting
abbrev = BPA
founded = 1962
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url = www.bpa.org.uk
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The British Parachute Association (The BPA) is the National Governing Body for Sport Parachuting in the United Kingdom.

Overview

The BPA was founded in 1962 to organise, govern and further the advancement of sport parachuting within the UK [http://www.bpa.org.uk/background.htm The British Parachute Association ] ] .

The BPA aim is to encourage participation in skydiving within the UK. Today there are currently 26 affiliated dropzones throughout the country and a membership of more than 30,000.

The association is funded by membership subscriptions, shop sales and UK Sport grants and has an annually elected council of 15 full members which controls all aspects of skydiving on behalf of the Civil Aviation Authority. Unlike many other sports which suffer from fragmented and divided governing bodies, the British Parachute Association represents most UK skydivers and most skydivers within the UK are members of the Association .

British Open Nationals 2008, 4-Way Formation Skydiving, Vertical Formation Skydiving, 8-way Speed and Artistic Speed competitions will be held in the UK, hosted by Target Skysports, at Hibaldstow, during August and September.

BPA Council

The BPA council consists of 15 elected members and the current chairman is John Smyth [ [http://bpa.org.uk/contact.htm The British Parachute Association ] ] .

BPA Drop Zones

There are currently 26 Affliated drop zones in the British Parachute Association. These are:
*Black Knights Parachute Centre - Cockerham, Lancashire
*British Parachute Schools - Langar, Nottinghamshire
*Cornish Parachute Centre - Peranporth, Cornwall
*Headcorn Parachute Club - Headcorn, Kent
*Hinton Skydiving Centre - Hinton-in-the-Hedges, Northamptonshire
*Joint Services Parachute Centre (Army Parachute Association) - Netheravon, Wiltshire
*London Parachute School - Lewknor, Oxfordshire
*North London Parachute Centre - Chatteris, Cambridgeshire
*North West Parachute Centre - Cark, Cumbria
*Paragon Skydiving Club - Errol, Perth and Kinross
*Services Parachute Centre, Ballykelly, County Londonderry
*Silver Stars Parachute Team (The Royal Logistic Corps) - South Cerney, Gloucestershire
*Skydive Academy "(formerly: Peterlee Parachute Centre)" - Peterlee, Co. Durham
*Skydive Airkix "(formerly: Peterborough Parachute Centre)" - Wansford, Cambridgeshire
*Skydive Brid - Grindale, East Riding of Yorkshire
*Skydive Jersey - St. Peter, Jersey
*Skydive London - Wanborough, Wiltshire
*Skydive St Andrews - Kingsmuir, Fife
*Skydive Strathallan - Strathallan, Perth and Kinross
*Skydive Swansea - Fairwood, Swansea
*Skydive UK - Dunkeswell, E. Devon
*Skydive Weston (Royal Air Force Sport Parachute Association) - Weston-on-the-Green, Oxfordshire
*Target Skysports - Hibaldstow, North Lincolnshire
*The Parachute Centre - Tilstock, Shropshire
*UK Parachuting - Old Buckenham, Norfolk
*Wild Geese Parachute Centre - Movenis & Killykergan, County Londonderry

References

External links

* [http://www.bpa.org.uk/ The BPA official site]
* [http://www.bpa.org.uk/dropzone/dzone.htm Interactive map of the skydiving centres]