Manny (Shawn M)2.JPG

ken

 1) What made you decide to start skydiving?
It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Even after a 30 year break, I still regretted not being selected for Military Free-Fall while I was in the service. So I made it my 50th birthday present to myself.

2) How long have you been a skydiver?
2.5 years

3) How many jumps do you have?
169

Photo courtesy of Don Carrington

Photo courtesy of Don Carrington

4) What container and parachute are you currently jumping?
I jump a Mirage M4.1 rig with a Spectre 190 canopy. I started on a Navigator 260 and downsized to a Navigator 230, a Sabre 210 before I bought my Spectre 190. I’m currently shopping for a 170 sq/ft canopy.

5) Have you had any cutaways?
No, not yet!

6) What type of skydiving do you enjoy?
I enjoy relative work (RW) and am just beginning to fall in love with angles and free-flying ( FF).

7) What’s your home drop-zone?
Triangle Skydive Center

Ken poses for a photo with his Spectre 190 canopy after landing at his home drop-zone in North Carolina. This photo and the banner photo are both courtesy of Jim Wisely.

Ken poses for a photo with his Spectre 190 canopy after landing at his home drop-zone in North Carolina. This photo and the banner photo are both courtesy of Jim Wisely.

8) What types of outdoor activities did you enjoy growing up? What does your family think of your decision to start skydiving?
Of course I played football, baseball and basketball but as I’ve gotten older I find that I enjoy SCUBA, golf, hunting, shooting sports and just kicking back at a campfire.  My family thinks that I’m crazy, but they have know this about me since I was a kid. 

9) What do you like best about skydiving?
The freedom of self flight—I think this is something that only skydivers understand—and the amazing people you meet. In no other sport will you have a World Champion, YouTube celebrity or just a truly badass athlete approach you and offer coaching and tips. Most even offer to jump with you or include you into their group jumps.  Skydivers seem to remember where they started and don’t mind helping you achieve your goals. So I guess I like the sharing aspect the most.

Ken Horton (far left) went on a skydive to celebrate his 50th birthday—he’s been skydiving ever since! Photo courtesy of Don Carrington

Ken Horton (far left) went on a skydive to celebrate his 50th birthday—he’s been skydiving ever since! Photo courtesy of Don Carrington

10) What does Team Blackstar mean to you?
That I’m not alone; the only person of color attempting to be a passive ambassador in some shape or form. I love to share this sport with everyone and I have been well welcomed after the usual, “are you here for a tandem”, “do you have your own equipment” questions. I’m so tired of being the only “one”, always, everywhere. Team Blackstar makes me feel at home and I love being a part of something inclusive, positive and expansive. My second jump with the Blackstar jersey prompted a gray haired gentleman skydiver to approach me at Skydive Deland and say, “you people are doing something good.”

11) What is the most challenging thing you’ve ever done as a skydiver? What was the scariest?
What was the most challenging? Learning to pack a NEW canopy. What was the scariest? Almost landing off the DZ in the Canadian wilderness after falling through 9,000ft of solid clouds. They said, “eh, don’t worry, we use GPS spotting.” SMH.

According to Ken, Team Blackstar means “feeling at home, and being a part of something inclusive, positive and expansive.” Photo courtesy of Anthony Sierra.

According to Ken, Team Blackstar means “feeling at home, and being a part of something inclusive, positive and expansive.” Photo courtesy of Anthony Sierra.

CONTACT | INSTAGRAM

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR OTHER MEMBERS!

Check out these featured articles
Why We Jump: An Interview with 5 Base Jumpers of Color
Why We Jump: An Interview with 5 Base Jumpers of Color

Five BASE jumpers of color share the reasons why they jump—despite the high stakes involved.

3 Reasons Why It's Hard to Be 'The Only One' in Outdoor Sports
3 Reasons Why It's Hard to Be 'The Only One' in Outdoor Sports

I love supporting those who are doing the hard work of integrating outdoor spaces that have long been predominantly white by design, however, it’s time we acknowledge that being “the only one” can be a challenging and isolating experience. Here are three reasons why:

Black People Skydive & So Should You—Here's How
Black People Skydive & So Should You—Here's How

Don’t let summer end without planning your tandem skydive. Got questions? Check out this how-to guide from Melaninbasecamp.com.

African-American Skydivers Keep Their Eyes Above the Horizon
African-American Skydivers Keep Their Eyes Above the Horizon

Is skydiving for the culture a thing? Three African-American skydivers drive down to Georgia to find out!

This Black Mom Is Balancing Work, Marriage, Motherhood and Skydiving
This Black Mom Is Balancing Work, Marriage, Motherhood and Skydiving

Don’t wait for the conditions to be right. If you see something you want to try, go for it. You may even inspire someone else along the way!

Reflections on Balance and Burnout through Adventure Sports
Reflections on Balance and Burnout through Adventure Sports

Creating balance in your life can be tricky. Here are some reflections on my experience creating an amazing balance in my own life—one that takes into consideration work, play, and especially rest—as well as the work it took to get there.

In Pursuit of Mindfulness with African American Skydiver Nicholas Walker
In Pursuit of Mindfulness with African American Skydiver Nicholas Walker

Nicholas Walker is an African American competitive skydiver with ten years in the sport and over 1,050 jumps. He’s also a 3rd generation military veteran who first learned how to survive, adapt and thrive through a childhood that spanned two continents, six schools and almost losing a parent—twice.

16-year-old Kyra Poh Is an Indoor Skydiving World Champion
16-year-old Kyra Poh Is an Indoor Skydiving World Champion

Kyra Poh's distinct style of indoor skydiving is the product of immense dedication and over 300 hours of body flight in wind tunnels across the world. In between busy training and competition schedules, Kyra graciously spent some time sharing her thoughts about her journey thus far—her recent projects, sources of inspiration, and creative process.

No, Where Are You Really From? Part I
No, Where Are You Really From? Part I

"No, but where are you really from?" is just part of the lived experience of Women of Color in outdoor adventure sports. We're a minority within minority that enjoys both the best, worst and weirdest aspects of giving your heart to the outdoors. Today we're talking to four Women of Color who spend their weekends in free fall from 13,000 ft to hear their perspectives on balancing multiple hyphenated identities in the skies. 

No, Where Are You Really From? Women of Color in Skydiving Speak
No, Where Are You Really From? Women of Color in Skydiving Speak

We're back with five Women of Color speaking about our experiences within the skydiving community.

Same World, Different View
Same World, Different View

The process that happens right before one makes a skydive is quite marvelous. You draw up a plan for the dive (or in some cases there is no plan at all). Safety check and don your gear before boarding the plane. The plane ride up is a different experience for different people but it oscillates between, napping/ taking in the nice views/ actually thinking of the jump/ or wondering what I'm going to have for dinner later.

Skydiving as a Woman of Color
Skydiving as a Woman of Color

I'm most acutely aware of how much I stand out whenever I travel to a new drop-zone. I usually groan inwardly while well meaning staff ask me if I'm here for a tandem or try repeatedly to steer me towards the tandem classroom despite the gear bag, helmet bag and logbook in hand which typically signal "experienced jumper." Later, if a staff member wants to know "did you enjoy your skydive" in the overly saccharine tone reserved for the recently converted, I nod and play along.