Father-Son Duo Shatters Skydiving Record with 104 Jumpers

A remarkable achievement unfolded in November 2025, as father-son duo Frank and Dominic Matrone of Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, set a new world record in skydiving. They were part of a team of 104 skydivers who successfully broke an 18-year-old record for the largest skydiving canopy formation, originally established by Frank Matrone himself in 2007. This event took place in Lake Wales, Florida.

Frank Matrone, a physician at St. Luke’s Primary Care, expressed the significance of the experience, stating, “For me, this was special because Dominic was there.” His son, Dominic, who resides in Schuylkill County, echoed this sentiment, describing the achievement as “pretty awesome.” This record-breaking event required extensive planning and collaboration among skydivers from all over the globe.

The formation, which took about four days to complete, involved a dozen attempts to create a massive diamond shape in the sky. The skydivers, launching from nearly 20,000 feet, had just 15 minutes to arrange themselves into the formation. They accomplished this in an impressive 11 minutes and 15 seconds and maintained the structure for 20 seconds before safely separating to land.

Dominic Matrone reflected on the significance of breaking the previous record, noting the legacy it carried. “Especially with how big the 2007 record was… it stood for 18 years. It was a monument in the community,” he said. Frank Matrone, now 65 years old, has been skydiving since he was 17 and has completed approximately 5,860 jumps, setting eight world records since his first in 1994. Dominic, at 27, began skydiving at 18 and has made 445 jumps.

A Unique Bond in the Sky

The Matrones’ bond extends beyond the familial; it is rooted in their shared passion for skydiving. They typically perform between 50 and 100 jumps together each year. Frank Matrone emphasized that their activities involve more than just the thrill of jumping out of an aircraft. “We develop a lot of canopy skills that most skydivers don’t develop,” he stated, underscoring the complexities of their sport.

Canopy formation, also known as canopy relative work or CRW, involves skydivers joining together in the air using parachutes. Frank reflected on the intimate nature of the record-breaking experience, saying, “The most special because I was literally handing the canopy to Dominic.” The duo was positioned next to each other in the formation, enhancing the personal significance of the achievement.

Dominic, who describes himself as an adrenaline junkie, credits his parents for his introduction to skydiving. His mother, Aleth Matrone, is also an avid skydiver, although she shares a more cautious approach towards the close formations that Frank and Dominic pursue. “I love the feeling of it,” Dominic said. “I love the skill involved with crew in particular. I love the community.”

Looking Ahead: More Records on the Horizon

As for future endeavors, discussions about potentially breaking another record are already underway, though nothing is finalized. Dominic expressed his desire to continue learning and expanding his role in the sport, including aspirations to learn to pilot during canopy formations.

Frank Matrone remains enthusiastic about continuing their skydiving adventures, hoping that both he and his son can maintain their health while enjoying the experience. “We’re jumping with a laugh,” he stated, capturing the essence of their thrilling family tradition. As both father and son continue to soar through the skies, their journey reflects not only personal achievements but also the deep bonds forged through shared passion and adventure.