Welcome to the revised Canadian Sport Parachuting Association (CSPA) Mentorship Program! This innovative program is designed to foster growth, development, and a sense of community for everyone within our sport. Whether you are a beginner or novice jumper, a coach, instructor, facilitator, rigger, competitor, or someone with a specific discipline specialization, our mentorship program is here to guide you every step of the way. 

What is a Mentor and a Mentee? 

Mentor: A mentor is an experienced individual in the skydiving community who provides guidance, support, and knowledge to less experienced individuals. Mentors act as role models and provide both technical expertise and personal insights to help mentees navigate their skydiving journey. Their objective is to inspire and motivate mentees while helping them overcome challenges and achieve their goals. 

Mentee: A mentee is a person who seeks to learn and grow within the skydiving community with the help of a mentor. Mentees are eager to develop their skills, knowledge, and understanding of skydiving. Their objective is to actively engage with their mentor, absorb information, and apply what they learn to become more proficient and confident in their skydiving endeavors. 

Objectives of the Mentorship Program 

• Skill Development: To help mentees enhance their technical and practical skydiving skills. 
• Personal Growth: To support mentees in their personal development and confidence-building. 
• Community Engagement: To foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie within the skydiving community. 
• Safety and Best Practices: To promote a culture of safety, adherence to protocols, and continuous learning. 

Program Structure 

The CSPA Mentorship Program offers several mentorship tracks aligned with the CSPA Flight Plan Model, tailored to meet the diverse needs of our skydiving community. Below are the primary mentorship tracks available: 

1. Active Start, Flying Fundamentals: Beginner and Novice Jumpers 
   • This track focuses on helping new skydivers build a strong foundation in the sport. Mentors provide guidance on basic skydiving techniques, safety protocols, and progression. 
2. Learn to Fly: Discipline-Specific Specialization 
   • This track caters to skydivers interested in specializing in specific disciplines such as but not limited to freeflying, canopy piloting, or wingsuit flying. Mentors offer discipline-specific training and insights. 
3. Train to Train, Train to Compete, Train to Win: Competition 
   • This track focuses on mentoring individuals who are interested in directed training, perhaps leading towards competition. Mentors provide training plans, performance strategies, and mental preparation techniques. 
4. CSPA Coach, Instructor, Examiner, and Facilitator Development 
   • This track is designed to develop and enhance the skills of CSPA Coaches, Instructors, Examiners, and Facilitators (or those interested in the certification) by pairing them with an experienced CSPA Coach, Instructor, Examiner, and/or Facilitator who provides guidance, support, and knowledge sharing.   
5. CSPA Rigger Development 
   • This track is designed to develop and enhance the skills of CSPA Riggers (or those interested in the certification) by pairing them with experienced Rigger Mentors who provide guidance, support, and knowledge sharing.  
6. Navigating the Skydiving Community 
   • The objective is to foster personal growth, build strong relationships, and create a sense of belonging through experienced mentorship. By sharing knowledge, experiences, and insights, we strive to help participants navigate the challenges and opportunities, ensuring they thrive within the skydiving environment. This track covers various aspects of life as a skydiver including but not limited to: 
     • Life Around the Dropzone: Tips for making the most of your time at the dropzone and integrating into the community. 
     • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: Promoting a welcoming and inclusive environment for all skydivers. 
     • Visiting other Dropzones/Travel: The ins and outs of life outside your home dropzone. 
     • Parenting & Skydiving: Balancing the demands of skydiving with parenting responsibilities. 
     • Injury in Skydiving: Understanding injury prevention, management, recovery, and returning to skydiving after an injury. 

We invite you to embark on this enriching journey with us and take full advantage of the wealth of knowledge and experience our mentors have to offer. Whether you are looking to refine your skills, explore new disciplines, or simply connect with like-minded individuals, the CSPA Mentorship Program is here to support you.  

For detailed information about the Specific Mentorship Programs, including eligibility, structure, components, and mentor/mentee roles and responsibilities, please visit the programs below. These resources will provide comprehensive insights to help you understand each program better.  

Are you passionate about skydiving and eager to share your knowledge and experience? If so, we invite you to become a CSPA mentor in one or more of our Mentorship Programs. Your expertise can make a significant impact on the next generation of skydivers. To join us in shaping the future of our community, please apply here to be a mentor!

Are you looking for guidance is any of these areas? Apply here to be a mentee!

If you have any questions or program suggestions, please contact [email protected]