My name is Jarrod McKinney and I am a professional skydiver. I want to use my skydiving abilities to raise $13,000 for the more than 6,750 Special Olympics Minnesota athletes. If you've heard of www.couchballoons.com, I am taking their concept to a new and innovative level. What could be more exciting than to throw on a Wingsuit, and Skydiving Rig, ride 100 6ft helium balloons to 13000 ft and raise money for Special Olympics Minnesota all in one fell "Swoop"!! How about doing it all at the World Famous Paul Bunyan Land Amusment Park in Brainerd Minnesota, six miles east of Brainerd on Highway 18. Come out and witness history being made! Admission is $5.00 for the event or $14.95 for the event and amusement park (100% of admission fees for this event will be donated back to Special Olympics Minnesota).
    

 

Name - Jarrod McKinney

Age -  36

Sports and Hobbies - Skydiving, Skateboarding, Snowboarding, Surfing, Biking, Running (marathons).

Years Skydiving - 6

I did my first tandem jump August 20 2004, the day before my Birthday.  I was instantly hooked and went back 5 days later to do another.  Skydiving was all I could think about after that, and in the summer of 2005, I cashed in my 401k, bought my first rig, and moved to New Zealand to attend New Zealand Skydiving School.  Almost 5 months and 185 jumps later, I came back to the States and went to work at Skydive De Land in De Land, Florida. I now have over 550 skydives from more than 20 different aircraft including helicopters and hot air balloons.  I've also recently received my tandem rating at Westside Skydivers in Winsted, MN.

My Mission - To raise $13000 for Special Olympics.

I will be flying to an altitude of 13000 ft using only Helium Balloons.  Once I reach that altitude, I will release the balloons and skydive back to earth wearing a wingsuit.  I would like to raise $1 for every foot of altitude the balloons carry me!