High Winds Draw Wingsuiters to Olney

Wingsuit jumpers from across the DMV are descending on Olney, Maryland today to enjoy rare 70mph wind gusts coming from the south.  

#OlneyWaterTower began trending on Twitter earlier this week as weather patterns lined up for a perfect jump day.

Olney has the highest elevation between Washington, DC and Howard County.  Today’s gale force winds buffeting the south face of the Olney Water Tower allow wingsuiters to glide all the way to Arlington.

The Greater Olney Wingsuit Association (GOWA) oversees jumps from the tower, situated on Olney’s highest point, at 17710 Buehler Road between Sandy Spring Bank and St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

Wingsuit flying is the sport of skydiving using a webbing-sleeved jumpsuit called a wingsuit to add webbed area to the diver's body and generate increased lift, which allows extended air time by gliding flight rather than just free falling.