Skydive Dubai's first Swoop Festival - in pictures

  • Skydive Dubai hosted the first Swoop Festival. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    Skydive Dubai hosted the first Swoop Festival. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • The festival features a canopy piloting competition
    The festival features a canopy piloting competition
  • It is a high-speed discipline of skydiving where experienced and trained pilots glide over a body of water while performing various stunts, controlling a small parachute
    It is a high-speed discipline of skydiving where experienced and trained pilots glide over a body of water while performing various stunts, controlling a small parachute
  • Participants were trained on the first day of the competition on Thursday, before they were put to the test
    Participants were trained on the first day of the competition on Thursday, before they were put to the test
  • Canopy piloting is a popular air sports mainly showcasing a parachutists' ability to control a canopy accurately in high speeds
    Canopy piloting is a popular air sports mainly showcasing a parachutists' ability to control a canopy accurately in high speeds
  • Depending on the competition, participants are usually scored on speed, accuracy and distance
    Depending on the competition, participants are usually scored on speed, accuracy and distance
  • Such competitions require advanced skydiving and parachuting skills
    Such competitions require advanced skydiving and parachuting skills
  • The Swoop Festival in Dubai was free for spectators, who were able to access the event through Zero Gravity
    The Swoop Festival in Dubai was free for spectators, who were able to access the event through Zero Gravity
  • Skydive Dubai is popular with tourists, residents, as well as professionals for skydiving at all levels
    Skydive Dubai is popular with tourists, residents, as well as professionals for skydiving at all levels
  • A skydive typically lasts for 20 to 30 minutes
    A skydive typically lasts for 20 to 30 minutes