New Zealand Skydiving - The Adrenaline Will Not Stop
Conjure a picture of yourself preparing to jump from a plane at a height of 9000 feet. You have this big piece of material strapped to your back to help in your safe landing. You are on the verge of experiencing the New Zealand skydiving adventure.
You can feel your heart palpitating furiously, your senses numbed by fear and anticipation, the blast of air hitting your face as you peer out of the aircraft door, then you take the plunge into the free space of the unknown.
You reach a speed of 200 kmph as you freefall and then you tug your parachute open to finally make sense of the shrunken world beneath you staring at you in all its glory. A surge of relief flows through your entire body and you have returned from adrenaline madness to sanity.
Skydiving is an extreme sport which is well established and regulated in New Zealand. The New Zealand Parachute Federation is its governing body, setting rules and safety procedures for this adrenaline pumping sport.
If you are a beginner, common sense dictates that you should look at commercial skydiving companies with very well qualified instructors to take you on your maiden dive. There are many professional operators spread over both the islands of New Zealand.
As a first timer, you would be ideally doing a tandem skydive where you are harnessed to an instructor in a drop zone from a height of 9000 feet. The views on the way up are a feast for the eyes and the soul. You then experience a 45 second free fall and your chute then opens.
Once you have experienced the thrill of your maiden skydive, you can work towards obtaining an 'A' license as per the standards laid down by the New Zealand Parachute Federation.
Such a qualification will enable you to do solo jumps in well defined drop zones from heights ranging between 2500 and 4500 metres. The operators help provide training towards obtaining the Diploma in Commercial Skydiving.
In addition to tandem jumps, commercial skydive operators offer static line jumps and Accelerated free fall courses. These operators also help you record your maiden skydiving adventure on video for posterity.
Points to note:
- Be honest about your health when you sign up the form before doing a skydive.
- If you have a health condition that is not suitable for skydiving, you are responsible for taking the risk of being dishonest about it. Certain medical conditions may require a doctor's approval.
- Your instructor will brief you thoroughly about all the safety aspects associated with skydiving.
- Most skydivers will be apprehensive of the approaching earth as they land on it. A tuck and roll is not necessary. As soon as you touch land, you can walk away.
- For most first timers, even making a tandem dive securely fastened to an instructor will be a nervous experience. This is due to the fear of the unknown. So it is wise to talk to your instructor and clear your doubts before you make the jump.
- Ensure that you are in a good frame of mind and not overcome by personal worries.
- Always check your equipment thoroughly irrespective of whether you are a seasoned veteran or a novice.
- Check to see if your helmet, jumpsuit and goggles are in proper condition. If any of them were to cause trouble during your skydiving attempt, that is the last thing you need.
In the North Island of New Zealand, skydiving is done at Rotorua, Bay of Islands and Taupo.
You can skydive in the South Island of New Zealand at Glenorchy, Queenstown, Twizel, Wanaka, Fox Glacier, Kaikoura, Christchurch and Motueka.
If you are a skydiving enthusiast and want to travel around various spots in North Island or South Island, you will need a reliable New Zealand car rental
