- Hey, hey, psst, there's something big happening
in the skydiving industry.
Watch this clip, and we'll talk about that.
(soft dramatic music)
(knocks on door)
- Nice landing, welcome to Sun Path, Sandy.
- It's great to be here.
(soft dramatic music)
- Hey, it's Catherine from SkydiveVibes
sharing the passion of skydiving
and helping you become better and safer skydivers.
So, if you're new here, consider subscribing.
This is the first time
that something like that ever happened.
The company Sun Path is acquiring Rigging Innovations.
It was actually announced in February of this year, 2020.
What does it mean for Rigging Innovations product
and sponsored athletes?
Let's me tell you.
But first Rigging Innovations was founded
in 1985 in Perris, California by Sandy and Brenda Reid.
Sandy is a respected leader in the skydiving industry
since his first jump in 1970,
and after, becoming a rigger in 1971.
Do you know that he actually owns the patent
for the articulated harness,
you know, when your rig has a hip ring, like that?
And he also developed multiple containers
like the Telesis, Talon, Voodoo, CPX,
and, of course, the Curv.
So, why is Rigging Innovations being acquired by Sun Path?
Well, Sandy wanted to make sure
that his life's work would continue to evolve
and contribute to the skydiving industry.
What's interesting is that Rigging Innovations and Sun Path
were serving compatible markets
where Rigging Innovations would be well-renowned
in precision-lending containers,
and Sun Path, more in formation skydiving.
So, by acquiring Rigging Innovations,
Sun Path is now completing its offering
and diversifying it.
A good thing to know is
that products from Rigging Innovations
are not being discontinued.
We will still be able to get and jump their products,
and the goal of this acquisition is
to expand Sun Path manufacturing.
And so, now, we will have a Sun Path manufacturing plant
in Arizona, where Rigging Innovations was.
Also know that most of the products
from Sun Path and Rigging Innovations
will continue to be manufactured.
That will apply to all Rigging Innovations
and Sun Path products that were manufactured
and designed after the year 2000.
So, the older models of those two brands
will be discontinued and not supported
after the completion of the acquisition.
Now, on a personal note,
you guys were a lot to ask me
what were my thoughts about this
as a Rigging Innovations-sponsored athlete.
Well, this news is surely very exciting,
and I'm so proud to be a part
of the Rigging Innovations family
and see that the hard work
they did put in that company in those products
will go on in the future.
Sandy is a very passionate man,
he's done a lot for the skydiving industry,
and I'm so happy for him.
It is still pretty early, though,
to see the implication it will have
to the sponsored athletes,
and for now, all the contracts
and anything that were planned with Rigging Innovations
will continue according to the terms.
I'm very excited to see what the future hold,
and I'm sure pretty pumped
to maybe be able to represent the Curve product
under the banner of Sun Path.
But, we will see.
Now, I'd like to know your thoughts in the comments.
This is the first event of this kind
in the skydiving industry,
so that's pretty interesting to see
how everything will roll out.
But let me know in the comments what do you think.
And, by the way, are you
a Rigging Innovations fan or a Sun Path fan,
well, now, we will all be part of the same family.
(soft electronic music)
Oh, my God, sorry!
(they laugh)
Oh, my God!
(upbeat electronic music)