Tandem Skydiving New Zealand

Skydiving over Lake Taupo

I am scared of heights.  So why did I go skydiving over Lake Taupo, New Zealand?  When in Rome...  

Kiwi's love adventure, whether it be surfing, bungy jumping, skydiving, skiing, or countless of other activities geared toward thrill-seekers.  I was talked into skydiving by some fellow backpackers who convinced me to skydive through two reasons: 1) It's not as scary as it seems 2) Lake Taupo is one of the cheapest places to skydive in New Zealand.  Sold. 

What to Expect

I chose to skydive through Freefall, based upon traveler recommendations.  Because it was winter, I actually had to wait a few days until skies were clear enough to skydive, which is not uncommon.  Once the skies cleared, Freefall picked me up at my accommodation at no charge.  At the airport, I paid, signed my life away, and put on a red flight suite, I expected to an intensive training session of "Skydiving 101."  Instead of rigorous training, I felt a tap on the shoulder and heard "hi, my name is Dan.  Let's get on the plane."  Training session over.

Unsuccessfully trying to not look scared

The worst part of the whole experience for me was the plane ride.  Over a dozen skydivers, tandem-masters, and photographers were packed into a tiny plane, straddling to benches arranged parallel to each other in the plane.  The plane was loud, crowded, and shaky.  I felt like I was in a pop can being thrown through the air.  As earth drifted farther and farther away, fear nearly overtook my reason.  I tried to think of an excuse that would allow me to not be thrown out of the plane, but couldn't come up with any that wouldn't immediately identify me as a chicken.  I was stuck.  Just before the fuselage door was opened, Dan again tapped me on the shoulder with some last words of advise as he strapped me to his body.  "Cross your arms when we jump.  Uncross them when I tap you again."

The scariest moment of my life occurred just before we jumped. Hanging 12,000 feet in the air completely at the mercy of another individual is a strange feeling.  I shut my eyes, we tumbled in the air, I opened my eyes and....it was unbelievable.  Though the wind resistance was tremendous, I felt like I was floating.  I expected the stomach-dropping feeling of a roller coaster, but it never appeared.  I knew this once a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so I paid extra to have a photographer document the whole experience. 

After 45 seconds of free fall, Dan pulled the chute, creating the only queasy feeling of the whole skydiving experience.  It took us another ten minutes or so land on  solid ground, with great views of Lake Taupo and mountains along the way.  Dan took care of all the details of the landing (I just had to lift my feet). Once back in the hanger, we received our photos and CDs. I drove back to Taupo feeling I had, still feeling like I was on Cloud 9.

Just the Basics

• Location: 7km South of Taupo 
• Cost
• 12,000ft0--45 sec. freefall--$249NZ (approx. $190US)
• 15,000ft--60 sec. freefall--$339NZ (approx. $261US)
• Add CD/DVD Package $179NZ (approx. $138US
• Website: http://www.freefall.net.nz/
• Tips: Dress warmly, especially in the winter.  Also, pay to have your jump video photographed.  If you are like me, you may never go again!

Thanks for a great experience tandem-man Dan!