train and prepare canopy pilots for the Pro Level Events, as well as, national and world level canopy piloting competitions.
CLASSES: Swoopleague consists of four classes, a Sport Class, an Intermediate class, an Advanced Class and a Pro class. All pilots will have the opportunity to place themself in the sport, intermediate or advanced class (whichever is appropriate). Qualification by the rules below will be required for the Pro class. All classes will operate in accordance with full FAI and USPA competition rules, the following stipulations are the main differences in courses for each class:
We are working on getting a new chart. The class names have changed for this season. The 2024 Intermediates will be using the Beginner column, the Advanced class for 2024 will be using the Intermediate column. If you are confused please reach out to ensure you are flying the correct parachute!
These rules are subject to change prior to 1st meet of 2024 season. These courses will be used, but small size changes could be made. Additionally, the point structure could change from highest score wins, to lowest score wins with a zero being a perfect score.
Bullseye:
Similar to Sport Accuracy. Bullseye event with a 1 meter wide target in the center and 5 outer rings each with an additional radius of 2 meters. first point of contact determines points scored as long as competitor stays within the largest ring diameter. A point deduction will occur if the landing is not a stand up landing
Rubik’s Cube:
This event consists of a large square containing 5 columns and 5 rows of smaller squares inside. The maximum points are the four corner squares. The center square is the lowest point value. The competitor gets the points of the lowest value of all the squares they touch from initial touchdown until they come to a full stop.
Kiting:
The kiting course consists of a landing zone, followed by 4 cones and then a target circle. Competitors must land in the landing zone, prior to a starting line. They then proceed to kite their parachute through the 4 cone slalom course. The objective to secure maximum points is to kite into the target circle and then stop, keeping the canopy off the ground until their feet are in the circle. Zones are designated throughout the course, if the canopy touches down before the target circle, points will be awarded based on which zone the competitors feet are in when the canopy touches down.
These competitions will consist of 2 rounds of each course.
Who Competes In This Class:
ANYONE. There are no jump number or canopy restrictions for this class. Anyone is welcome!
Turn and Wing Loading:
None. Dangerous flying or low turns will result in Yellow Card or Red Card.
Canopy Restrictions:
None! You can fly any canopy or any wingloading. We wouldn’t suggest flying a 59 square foot canopy though! The whole objective for this class is to be accurate!
Bullseye
Rubik’s Cube
Kiting
Distance:
Entry gates are 3 meters tall, 1.5 meter exit gate at 50 meters.
Speed:
Entry gates 3 meters tall, 1.5 meter exit gate.
Accuracy:
Infinity gates will be used for gate 1-4. Water drag will not be penalized and are not required for water points. Water gate points will be awarded for flying below the 1.5 meter bouys. If balls are used for gates 2-4, judges will “judge” the 1.5 meter fly over. Benefit of the doubt will be given to the competitor and no whining will be permitted.
Freestyle:
(When applicable) Round 1 will be a single move with a DOD Level 1. Round 2 will be a single move with a DOD level 1 or 2. Round 3 will be a single move with a DOD level 1, 2, or 3.
Who Competes In This Class:
Competitors in the intermediate class are learning the world of competitive canopy piloting. If it’s your first season competing, this is definitely the place for you.
Turn and Wing Loading:
Those who are jumping non-crossbraced canopies are usually in the 1.5-1.9 range. Those who are jumping crossbraced wings are typically in the 1.8-2.2 range. Some are slightly higher, some are slightly lower. Competitors in this class will utilize no greater than a 270 degree turn and must have a wing loading below 2.50.
Canopy Restrictions:
High performance canopies such as Helix, Airwolf, Leia, Valkyrie, Wairwolf, Sleia, HKT, HK, Petra, Sofia, Peregrine or other super duper swoop machines will not be permitted in this class. If you can jump one of these, you are not a beginner swooper. If you are a beginner swooper and you have acquired one of these canopies, give it back now, before you die.
Distance:
Entry gates are 1.5 meters tall (no water touch), 1.5 meter exit gate at 50 meters.
Speed:
Entry gates 1.5 meters tall. 1.5 meters entire course.
Accuracy:
No change, same as pro.
Freestyle:
(When applicable) Round 1 will be a single move with a DOD Level 1, 2, or 3. Round 2 will be a single move with a DOD level 1, 2, 3, or 4. Round 3 can be a single move or a combination of 2 moves with a DOD level 1, 2, 3, or 4. Each move much be executed separately, no simultaneously.
Who Competes In This Class:
Competitors who have a fair amount of competition experience, have already gained an understanding of the rules, and have mastered the intermediate level courses may wish to step up to the advanced class. If it’s your first season competing, this is probably not the place for you, a 1.5 meter entry gate is not as easy as it sounds. If it’s your first year competing but you have a Valkyrie, Leia or Airwolf, this is the place for you. We just wish you could have joined us earlier! This class is much more competitive and designed to hone skills before stepping up to the pro class.
Turn and Wing Loading:
Most of the competitors in this class are jumping crossbraced wings typically loaded in the 2.1-2.8 range. Some are slightly higher, some are slightly lower. Competitors in this class most commonly utilize turns ranging from 270-630 degrees. Competitors are limited to no greater than a 270 degree turn if loaded at or above 2.80.
Canopy Restrictions:
Ultra high performance canopies such as Wairwolf, Sleia, HKT, HK, Petra, Sofia, Peregrine, or other super duper swoop machines will not be permitted in this class. The top performers in this class may be able to pilot one of these wings, but in a competition setting safety comes first and these wings are not intermediate swoop canopies. Those who own one of these canopies and wish to compete will be asked to fly a more appropriate wing until they have met one below listed criteria to compete in the PRO class.
Everything is outlined by the FAI rules. Pilots must be pro qualified by the rules below. No canopy restrictions, no wingloading restrictions. Weight belt restrictions are the same as FAI and USPA rules.
(A) Placing in the top 20% of the advanced membership during the prior years season in their district.
(B) Pro’s from abroad will be permitted to complete in the pro class by providing substantial evidence of qualifying competition experience in their country of origin or at an international level.
(C) Compete in the open class at USPA Nationals and earn a place on the US National Canopy Piloting team.
(D) Win the overall in the Advanced class at USPA Nationals.
(E) Have experience that at the discretion of the league director qualifies the pilot to compete as a Pro Class Pilot.
Meets will consist of six rounds (unless otherwise noted) which feature speed, distance, and zone accuracy events following current IPC/USPA rules. The SWOOPLEAGUE meets are the competition arena for all pilots wishing to gain competition experience and sharpen their canopy piloting skills. Pro class pilots are welcome and quite frequently compete at regular season meets to hone their skills.
The competitors’ place at each meet corresponds to a number of championship points. Non-member competitors are NOT removed from scoring prior to these calculations. Non-members will act as a wildcard when standings are calculated. The overall league standings are calculated after each meet. Championship points are added up from one meet to the next giving you a total number for the season. At the end of the season the competitor with the highest number of championship points is declared that years district champion. This is after the competitors lowest on or two scores are dropped. When a season is comprised of 5 meets, the lowest one score is dropped, for a season comprised of 6 meets, the lowest two scores are dropped. For those competitors who only attend 4 meets, the missed meet(s) acts as their dropped score. The district organizer will be responsible for these calculations.
In the event of a tie for first, second, or third place, based on points, the place will be decided by which competitor has the fastest speed run of the season between the two tied members.
Championship points will be awarded for the places at each meet according to the scale below:
In the event of a tie for first, second, or third place, based on points, the place will be decided by which competitor has the fastest speed run of the season between the two tied members.
Championship points will be awarded for the places at each meet according to the scale below:
| Rank | Points |
| 1 | 100.0 |
| 2 | 98.5 |
| 3 | 96.9 |
| 4 | 95.2 |
| 5 | 93.4 |
| 6 | 91.5 |
| 7 | 89.5 |
| 8 | 87.4 |
| 9 | 85.2 |
| 10 | 82.9 |
| 11 | 80.5 |
| 12 | 78.0 |
| 13 | 75.4 |
| 14 | 72.7 |
| 15 | 69.9 |
| 16 | 67.0 |
| 17 | 64.0 |
| 18 | 61.0 |
| 19 | 58.0 |
| 20 | 55.0 |
| 21 | 52.0 |
| 22 | 49.0 |
| 23 | 46.0 |
| 24 | 43.0 |
| 25 | 40.0 |
| 26 | 37.0 |