The canopies used today bear little resemblance to the classic round canopies of years’ past. Today, nearly all jumpers and jump schools use “square” canopies for parachuting. These canopies are rectangular and, when they open, act like an airplane wing — more like a glider than an umbrella.

The aerodynamics of the square canopy provides exceptional maneuverability, allowing jumpers to land almost anywhere they wish. This wing shape also provides tip-toe soft landings for even the novice jumper, so the days of landing like a sandbag are history. In fact, you will likely land standing up, even on your first jump.