Imagine sitting on a swing 1,000 feet above a bustling city, the wind rushing past, skyscrapers stretching below, and the sunrise painting the skyline in gold. This is exactly what Belgian skydiver Magali Folkner Braff did over Dubai, turning a breathtaking stunt into a celebration of skill, courage, and 15 years of skydiving history in the city.
The stunt in focus
The 15th anniversary of Skydive Dubai provided the perfect backdrop for a world first stunt. Braff perched on a minimalist wooden swing attached to a powered airship, soaring over Dubai’s iconic skyline. Wearing a flowing red dress she designed herself, she alternated between sitting and standing while passing major landmarks, including the Burj Al Arab.A video of the stunt was shared by Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, showcasing Braff’s daring feat and the city’s breathtaking skyline.“Fifteen years ago, I was there when the first skydiving ever happened in Dubai. So, it was really emotional when they asked me to join them for the 15th anniversary stunt. I first couldn’t believe it because there are a lot of other women in the sports. I’m super grateful that they offered me this opportunity,” Braff told Khaleej Times.The stunt required immense physical and mental focus. Standing on the swing engaged her arms and legs constantly, and soreness was inevitable. Yet her preparation and experience allowed her to maintain balance and grace throughout the performance.
Skydiving, love, and a shared mission
Magali Folkner Braff’s journey into skydiving began with love. She met her husband, Steve, through the sport, and the duo famously performed a skydiving stunt in their wedding attire in 2011. Since then, they have established an indoor skydiving facility in Belgium and run a consultancy that works with multiple skydiving centers worldwide.“It has always been a mission of mine to bring more women into the field. When I started out, there were very few women. But once you get the experience of floating in the air, you will love it. The indoor diving facility has been the first step for many women to then take up skydiving. Even in my stunt in Dubai, I wanted to bring a feminine touch to it. I hope it inspires more women and girls to take up the sport.”“I saw things that nobody has seen before. I was hanging there all alone on the swing. I think every little girl dreams of sitting on a swing hanging above in the sky. When I was up there, I felt like I was living in a postcard.”“It was magical because you’re flying between the sea and the skyline of Dubai, and you see the sun rising between the buildings. Every second the light and the buildings are changing. The first landing, when I landed next to the Burj Al Arab, was emotional. I will never forget the relief and excitement I felt that everything went well.”“It was a technical, physical and emotional stunt. Mentally, I was prepared. Physically it was tough because standing on the swing requires a lot of muscle engagement. So, my arms and legs would get tired, but when you’re on the swing, your focus takes over, and your body forgets the tired feeling.”The red dress Braff wore during the stunt was entirely her creation. She spent days selecting the right fabric and working closely with Skydive Dubai to balance style, functionality, and cultural respect.“I wanted to work with a dress designer, but they might not necessarily understand the requirements of skydiving, so I decided to design it myself. I drew a mood board and worked with Skydive Dubai. They finalised the red colour.”She carefully tailored the dress to her needs: “I wanted to respect the local culture and ensure that I wore a long sleeved and covered dress. I made it a little shorter on the right side so that it was easier for me to pull my parachute. I made it longer on the back so that the dress would create movement in the air.”Fabric choice presented a unique challenge. “You never know how the fabric will react to the airflow. That’s a big challenge, and it’s something that you won’t know until you’re doing it. You can test it in the wind tunnel, but it always behaves differently when you’re in those kinds of situations.”Beyond the stunt itself, Braff’s story is one of passion, dedication, and a desire to inspire others. Through her indoor skydiving facility and consultancy, she has made the sport accessible to women and encouraged them to pursue skydiving safely, gradually building confidence before tackling outdoor jumps.Her stunt over Dubai was not just a feat of skill but a statement: that skydiving can be elegant, daring, and inclusive, and that women can take their place in the world of extreme sports.
