Skydiving Review

reg's review

Skydiving into the South Island

Ive finally got to do it after years of talking about it. My wife and I finally did it and what can I say!! MAD CRAZY MIND BLOWING!!! I was soo scared the evening before and hardly slept a wink. Knots in the stomach, butterflies feeling sick you name it I had it. We spent 3 nights in Wellington doing the tourist thing (a whole day in TePapa wasn’t quite enough). We booked the Skydive into the South Island jump after pouring over travel books while planning our trip and came across the jump which starts in Wellington airport and ends up at 12000ft over the South Island and though if we were going to do it we may as well kill a couple of birds with one stone and hop across the Strait too.

The morning of the jump I was sure the flight was going to be cancelled as the skies were grey over the city (I was relieved and disappointed) so when we called the skydiving company and they told us the weather was great at the drop point I my heart dropped. A quick shower not much breakfast and a cab ride to the airport and we were there at Gate 4 to meet our instructors. I have to say that during all of this my wife was strangely calm and relaxed. We met Neil and Rob who our instructors and they instantly put us at ease. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I have to give the guys high credits on their presentation of not only themselves but the thorough schooling we go on the jump.

A nervous pee and into our suits and harness then out to the aircraft on the tarmac. We turned a few heads at the airport and we strode by passengers boarding an Air New Zealand flight. Our aircraft was much smaller than any of those on the tarmac but it was I was told the bigger of the aircraft they used for jumping. After practice at the plane and a safety briefing from the pilot we taxied out for take off behind a large passenger plane. We took off and circled the city and the views of Wellington from the air were awesome. I could see the Beehive (Parliament) and right along the waterfront into the marinas (Wellington is an excellent city and Id recommend all travelers to spend a few days and nights there).

After a few minutes we were at 4000ft and over the Cook Strait on course to the South Island. We flew over a Cook Strait ferry and headed for the mountains which made up the silhouette of the northern tip of the South Island. In no time we were over land again and gazing out at some of the most incredible scenery I have ever seen. The Marlborough Sounds thousands of feet below was like a scene from Lord of the Rings while to the South loomed the snow capped peaks of the Kiakoura Mountains. I spotted Mt Egmont far to the north and peaked into Tasman and Golden Bay to the West. Before I got too comfortable it was time for the door to open! If you have ever been in an aircraft with the door open before you will understand my alarm! The wind came rushing in and everything changed. Rob was telling me to do things but I simply wasn’t listening. I felt myself move but looking back I have no idea ho it happened. I was hanging out of the aircraft at 12000ft! More commands from Rob but I wasn’t listening then we were out! I have no idea how to explain how freefall feels. It’s like floating but at high speed with noise, wind and complete confusion. I eventually woke up when I saw Rob give me the thumbs up and realized what was going on. It was without a doubt the most amazing thing I had ever done. The parachute opened and once again everything changed. We were floating over hills and green fields and life was good. Rob shook my hand and assured me Id done a great job and then he handed me the parachutes controls (was he insane?).

We flew in formation with the other parachute in the sky and came in for an easy landing where we were met by Fiona (who had helped us plan this jump 2 months ago).

Many hugs and high fives and a nice cup o tea later and we were safely in the South Island with both feet firmly on the ground.

I have to say a huge thanks to all the team at Skydive the Sounds for helping us fulfill what was for me the ambition of a life time.