Kim Emmons Knor - 1962 US Women's World Champion

The 20 Minute Call

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My guest today is from the Pioneer era of parachuting and yet is the sports biggest ambassador. Kim Emmons Knor made her first jump in 1959. As a member of the first U.S. Women’s Parachute Team, she won gold at the Sixth World Parachuting Championships. Flash forward to present day, or 65 years after her first jump, Kim is inspiring countless people on her journey to gain the Wings Award which is issued by the USPA for the achievement of 1,000 jumps. At age 85, Kim can be found in her red RV traveling from state to state visiting any DZ that will host her and help with her mission.
While her age is often referenced, do not be fooled into thinking Kim is a slow-moving geriatric. This lady is one of the most energetic people I’ve ever met, sharp as a tack and quick with her whit. She is the perfect ambassador for our sport as her efforts demonstrate that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. As a result, the media has fallen in love with Kim as she charms everyone on camera and invites the whuffo world that skydiving is for everyone! To date, her story has been picked up by news media around the globe having been featured in Yahoo News in the UK as recently as this morning. In August 2023, she was featured in People Magazine and has since been featured on CBS News, The Sun, ABC and countless local affiliates around the United States.

In 2013 Kim was inducted into the International Skydiving Hall of Fame.