Ted Strong

Ted Strong, D-16, was a visionary in the skydiving and parachuting industry, whose contributions forever shaped the sport. His passion for flight began in 1958 when he made his first parachute jump. By the time he entered the U.S. Army in 1959, he had already completed 100 jumps, a remarkable achievement for the era. He was stationed at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, for two years, where he coached the USMA Cadet Parachute Team and the West Point Sport Parachute Club.

After his honorable discharge in 1961, Strong turned his passion into a lifelong mission by founding Strong Enterprises—a company that would go on to revolutionize parachute design. Starting in his parents’ basement, he began modifying military surplus round parachutes into steerable versions, tailoring equipment to meet the evolving needs of his fellow skydivers. He would sew, tinker, and create anything his friends needed for skydiving, embodying a spirit of innovation and generosity.

A close friend once said, “Ted Strong’s company wasn’t there to make money, but to make parachutes for his friends.” This sentiment perfectly captured Ted’s philosophy—skydiving was never just a business to him; it was a lifelong passion fueled by camaraderie and a relentless pursuit of improving the sport.

In 1977, Strong relocated his growing company to Orlando, Florida, positioning it at the heart of aviation and skydiving activity. His most significant contribution to the sport came in 1983, when he, alongside Ricky Meadows, completed the first-ever tandem skydive using a dedicated tandem system that he designed. The following year, Strong Enterprises introduced the Dual Hawk Tandem System, which secured the first-ever FAA exemption for tandem jumps. Today, tandem skydiving is the most common way people are introduced to the sport—an achievement that can be directly traced back to Ted’s ingenuity.

Beyond his role as an innovator, Strong remained an active skydiver throughout his life, completing over 4,900 jumps and continuing to jump regularly—about 60 times per year—until his passing in 2011. His influence extended far beyond skydiving, as Strong Enterprises also developed parachute systems for military, aerospace, and stunt applications, including work with NASA.

Following his passing, the Ted Strong Award for Extraordinary Sportsmanship was established by the USPA in 2012, honoring individuals who exemplify the same generosity, passion, and commitment to skydiving that Ted embodied.

As one tribute put it:

“The industry and the world have lost a wonderful person. Those that knew him will miss him dearly. Those that never had the pleasure of meeting him will feel his influence anytime they make a skydive.”

Ted Strong’s legacy lives on in every tandem jump, every skydiver who experiences freefall for the first time, and every innovation that continues to push the sport forward. His contributions to skydiving were monumental, but his kindness, passion, and devotion to the community are what truly set him apart.