Steve Kanat's brilliant mind, dedication to teaching and being one's best self, allowed him to touch the lives of thousands of people through his love of skydiving. His passion for skydiving instruction allowed him to teach people to expand their horizons, step outside their comfort zones, conquer fears, and spread their wings.

Steve, and his wife Kim, made their first tandem skydive in Hawaii in November 2001. They both went on to earn their skydiving licenses for their ten-year wedding anniversary a few months later. Skydive Tecumseh became their home away from home for the next 20 years, and it was there where he obtained the name, the Gubna (the fun governor). Steve's passion for teaching, attentiveness to safety, and thrill-seeking personality catered perfectly to becoming a masterful skydiving instructor. He obtained multiple skydiving ratings (Coach-I, IAD-I, AFF-I) between 2007 and 2009, and recently, after working for years to fulfill the requirements, became a Coach and AFF examiner. Throughout his skydiving career, he instructed over 1900 students and was a mentor and friend to countless more. His legacy will live on in the many lives he touched, and his memory will be kept alive by all who knew and loved him. Steve passed away on 28 October 2022.

The money raised will support skydivers on their journey to achieving skydiving instructor ratings, including incoming AFF students, coaches, and instructors. It is our hope that anyone who is passionate about skydiving instructing not be limited by the inability to pay for the courses; this money will supplement the course fees and create a larger community of skydiving instructors. We can imagine no better way to honor Steve than to give back to the skydiving community and support future instructors as they discover their love and passion for teaching as Steve trail blazed for so many.