About Us
The Skydive Toledo Story
Skydive Toledo isn’t just a dropzone – it’s a family legacy rooted in skydiving history and stewarded by three generations of the Martin-Whittaker family. What started as a small skydiving club has grown into a vibrant, community-driven, and beloved dropzone in the heart of the Pacific Northwest.
Three Generations Deep
Our History
The Skydive Toledo story began in 1967 when the late, great Mike Martin – a skydiver with a big vision and a deep love for the sport – opened a dropzone in nearby Kelso, Washington. The club moved onto the Toledo airport in 1973.
Over the years, the ownership of Skydive Toledo made its way through family and friends until Heather Whittaker took the reins in 2011 with the intention of building and refining it before turning it over to the third generation in the mid 2020s.
Heather then guided the operation through 15 transformative seasons. She oversaw major improvements, including the 20 acre landing area procurement, a new hangar, and multiple aircraft. Under her leadership, Skydive Toledo became one of the few woman-owned dropzones in the country.
Today, Sam Whittaker is the owner and operator of Skydive Toledo. Having been at the dropzone every weekend of her life, Sam knows every inch of the airport and how to tend to it so it continues to flourish and evolve.
Sam Whittaker
From Our DZO
I grew up on this airfield.
Before I could walk, I crawled in the hangar. Before I could drive, I learned to pack parachutes. And long before I took over as DZO, I watched my mom build something real here: a skydiving community grounded in heart, hustle, and history. It’s a story I’m incredibly proud to carry forward.
Now, as a third-generation skydiver and DZO, I see this place through every lens. It’s where people come to grow, to heal, to push themselves, and to find their people. I’ve seen skydiving change lives, and I’m committed to keeping this amazing place thriving for the jumpers who find something special here, just like my family has.
This dropzone was built by family, and that’s how we run it. Whether you’re a first-time jumper, a student, or an old friend returning for the 500th time, welcome home.