I don’t mean to trivialise PTSD, but I have no memory of my husband disappearing out the back of a plane.

It’s the pivotal (ha!) moment – the realisation that I’m next, the only thing left to do is actually jump, and even if I were to entertain the possibility of changing my mind, it would be extremely awkward and annoying for the guy strapped to my back who’s forcefully edging us toward the big gaping hole.

That’s the good news – they don’t really give you a moment to consider it. But they warn you in advance that they won’t, so by the time you’re all kitted out and on the plane, you’re embracing the inevitability of it all.

Unfortunately that didn’t stop my survival instinct kicking in and every cell in my body screaming ‘what the f*ck are you doing?!?’.

Taupo: the best NZ skydive?

An outdoorsy town in the middle of New Zealand’s North Island, Taupo is undeniably pretty. In the distance, the snow-topped peaks of Tongariro National Park loom over sparkling Lake Taupo – the biggest lake in New Zealand, it’s the same size as Singapore.

Taupo, the town, is small and friendly, full of hiking gear stores, motels and family-friendly restaurants. Kind of dead in the mid-October mid-week that we were there, but still a comfortable place to spend a couple of days.

With a bird’s eye view, literally, you’ll see all of Tongariro’s big-name mountains: Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe, which famously played Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings films. (I was really excited about that, but frankly forgot about it when I was plummeting to the ground.) You can also see Mount Taranaki in the southwest, and look in opposite directions to see both the east and west coasts of the North Island.

The skydivers here are impressively experienced and rigorously trained. We met a skydiver-in-training, still a few years off qualifying as a tandem instructor, who’d already done 300 skydives. Our own instructors had done several thousand. They also had some great video and photo packages.

Watch the embarrassing video of my skydive!

Best of all, Taupo has the cheapest skydiving in New Zealand. At least according to the skydivers there – I haven’t actually researched this. If it’s true, though, take into account NZ’s stellar safety record and maybe Taupo is the best place to skydive in the world.

Skydive Taupo or Taupo Tandem Skydiving

Decision #2: which tandem skydiving company? There are two in Taupo: Skydive Taupo and Taupo Tandem Skydiving. Helpfully they’re both equally reputable, with solid safety records, various quality assurance awards and hundreds of five-star ratings on TripAdvisor. They also cost the same – NZ$559 for the skydiving package we wanted.

So, flip a coin or just see which one draws you in. I chose Skydive Taupo, and to be honest these were my reasons:

  • The ride. For those needing to be picked up from their accommodation, Taupo Tandem Skydiving uses a gimmicky yellow stretch Hummer. Skydive Taupo uses a gimmicky pink stretch limousine. I’m really more of a limo girl.
  • The plane. Skydive Taupo’s plane is covered in pink Maori designs; Taupo Tandem Skydiving’s plane is block yellow and white. This is important because the plane will be in the background of some of your coolest photos.
  • The T-shirts. To me, the T-shirts at Taupo Tandem Skydiving look a bit ‘I’m 18 and having a blast with my new hostel friends!’
  • The cat. Skydive Taupo has a resident cat called Sky, and she’s amazing. When we arrived she was sleeping on the counter beside the till, purring.
Skydive Taupo plane

How much does skydiving cost?

It can cost as little as NZ$199 (about £100) for a 9,000ft skydive with no photography. The price depends on two things: the height of your jump, and the photo/video package. At Skydive Taupo, prices range from NZ$279 to NZ$659, including pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Taupo or Rotorua, and a T-shirt if you choose 15,000ft.

It wasn’t an option when we were there, but Taupo Tandem Skydiving now also offers an 18,500ft skydive. It’s on sale at the moment at NZ$399 without photography.

The main reason to choose a height is the length of time you’ll be free falling. Honestly, the views and the level of fear are the same. From 9,000ft you’ll fall for 30 seconds, from 12,000ft it’s 45 seconds and from 15,000ft it’s 60 seconds. With Taupo Tandem Skydiving’s 18,500ft, you’d get 75 seconds of freefall.

We knew it would take time for the reality of it all to sink in, so we went for 15,000ft. I’m glad we did; it was a freaking fast minute.

Taupo NZ tandem skydive: freefall face

For photos and video, there are three options:

  1. ‘Handycam’, which just means the cameras are attached to your instructor. They’ll wear cameras on their wrist for HD video and photos, do a few quick interviews with you, capture audio when the parachute opens, and overlay your choice of music.
  2. ‘Freefall’, which means a second pro skydiver is doing the filming. They’ll follow you around, join you on the plane and jump immediately before you do. You’ll get a range of wide-angle scenic shots and close-ups, probably around 40 photos from 12,000ft and 80 from 15,000ft.
  3. Both of the above.

Check YouTube videos to really see the difference. We both chose the second-skydiver option, because we preferred how the finished products look. Personally I don’t like the extreme close-ups of a wrist cam, no one needs to see up my nose.

Watch my video below!

The skydiving weight limit and other essential info

There is a weight limit for a tandem skydive – for safety reasons they can’t take anyone over 100kg. You’re weighed when you arrive, and you’re welcome to pop in to use the scales if you’re not sure.

Other than that, there aren’t really any requirements. There’s no age limit (though under-18s need a parent or guardian to sign consent forms), and you don’t have to be physically fit. Tandem skydives are easy; your instructor does all the work.

Other key points:

  • Dress warm. I wore comfortable jeans, a vest top, long-sleeved top and hoodie. You’ll get a jumpsuit to wear over your clothes, and a hat and gloves if it’s a cold day – I was warm enough, but wish I’d brought my own gloves. Most importantly, wear shoes that can’t fly off mid-skydive. Securely tied trainers are best; they advise against hiking boots.
  • It’s fine if you wear contact lenses, like me, or glasses – you’ll get goggles that fit over them.
  • Anything else will be left in lockers on the ground.
  • Feel free to bring spectators, but they can’t join you on the plane.
  • Weather is important; your skydive won’t go ahead if it’s too cloudy, rainy or windy. If you’re in Taupo for a few days, book it for early in your stay so there’s time to reschedule if needed.
  • From start to finish, the experience takes 2.5 to 3 hours, but it felt like a lot longer… and the rest of the day was a celebratory beer-fuelled write-off. We’d advise against planning a long drive for that day.
Taupo tandem skydive

What to expect on a skydive

First, waking up with dread and realisation. Next, calling Skydive Taupo to check what they think about the weather – if it’s not good enough, they’ll reschedule. Forcing myself to eat breakfast, skipping coffee because I’m jittery enough, and waiting for our limo pick-up. Taupo Airport is less than 10 minutes from the centre of town.

At the office, we sign some forms, get weighed, stroke the cat, and put our bags in a locker. Wait a while for others to arrive, and then we’re seated in the ‘briefing area’ for a talk from one of the receptionists. She’s good and knowledgeable, first talking us through the skydive options, then showing videos from the different camera packages. This is your chance to ask questions if you haven’t already picked one.

Next she describes the skydive, and tells us the two things we need to know:

  1. ‘Be the banana.’ This is the crucial position as you leave the plane – curving your body and holding your head back to rest on your instructor’s shoulder.
  2. On landing, you’ll lift your legs up and slide onto the ground on your bum.

And that’s all you need to remember on a tandem skydive!

We watch a safety video, then we’re divided into groups. It’s a small plane, so we’ll go up in groups of 4 or 5, with our instructors and cameramen. Phill and I are in the second group, so we watch while a German family is strapped into their gear, meet their instructors and board the plane. (Two 20-something daughters and their 60-something parents! What a cool family.)

About 10 minutes later, we’re moved out into the hangar to gear up: a jumpsuit, harness, old-school aviator hat, goggles and gloves. Finally we meet our instructors. They’re businesslike; not chatty but calm and focused. They tighten our harnesses, inspect every strap and buckle, and swap to check each other’s work.

The German family lands, one by one. Daughter #1 is manically excited, flushed and raving about how incredible it was. Daughter #2 is silent. Parents both look nauseous.

I give a wave to my cameraman (the first of many, many waves. So embarrassing. I need to learn new hand gestures), have a couple of photos taken with Phill, then clamber onto the plane. We straddle long benches, our instructors pressed up against our backs. They continue to fiddle with buckles and straps, attaching themselves to us.

That moment

We take off, and I concentrate on the view. It really is gorgeous. Every now and then we’re prompted to action by the camera guys (more waving), and my instructor shows me the altitude on his altimeter. This scares me – 5,000ft already looks incredibly high. For the last few thousand, we’re given oxygen masks.

It takes 20 minutes to reach 15,000ft. And then the cargo doors slide open. This is the bit I don’t fully remember; I’m fourth in the group, so I must have watched three pairs of skydivers jump.

My instructor is stronger than me, so I accept my fate. He shuffles me off the bench, onto the floor and toward the big hole, until we’re sitting on the edge and our legs are dangling.

I’m swearing like a sailor. He says something like ‘ready?’ and I scream no, but he reminds me to be a banana anyway.

I close my eyes and the floor disappears. We roll out of the plane, spinning around until he releases a drogue parachute – the little parachute that steadies us and keeps us falling at 200km/hour. I can’t believe it’s actually happening.

Tandem skydive drogue parachute

People say freefall is like floating, or ‘being suspended on a cushion of air’. It’s not. Personally I am acutely aware that I’m falling to the ground. The force of the wind is extreme. I have to concentrate on keeping my mouth closed; air is getting under my goggles and into my contact lenses. Adrenaline fills my body, and my brain still hasn’t caught up.

I forget to notice the plane flying off. I have no idea where Phill or the other skydivers are. The only other person I can see is my cameraman, and he’s slightly annoying – constantly prompting me to do something fun for the camera. It’s taking all my strength just to hold my arms level, so I literally can’t.

Suddenly my 60 seconds are up and the parachute opens, camera guy is gone, it’s quiet and I can finally take in the view. My instructor steers us around, pointing out a few sights. At one point he hands me the ropes. I should be loving this, but I’m actually feeling a bit sick. Maybe it’s me – maybe I have an overactive nausea reflex – but every turn feels like a dizzying swerve.

Five swooping minutes later, we approach the drop zone and I slide in to land flat on my back. I’m alive! I’m dazed; my instructor has to tell me to get up.

Probably looking like hyperactive chipmunks, we pay, choose our T-shirts, and wait for our videos. They’re edited quickly, and we join the rest of our group in Skydive Taupo’s cinema room to watch the footage and ridicule each others’ freefall faces.

This is how happy I am that it’s over

Was it worth it?

Of course! 100%! But I wouldn’t do it again.

OK, I’d like to try it without the camera guy (although I love the photos and video, and I definitely think we chose the right package), and presumably it’s less scary when you know what to expect. But overall the experience was more stressful than fun.

I should mention Phill absolutely loved it though, and would do it again in a heartbeat. And if you’re good with roller coasters, you’ll probably get on with the parachute better than I did.

Taking flights now is interesting. I was never scared of flying, but weirdly I’m even more relaxed now. Maybe because skydiving is the scariest thing I’ve done, it puts a bit of turbulence into perspective. Just don’t sit next to us when we’re talking about that time we jumped out.

Skydiving in Taupo, NZ

Spending my Saturday reliving this terror. Find out why I looked like such a nervous chipmunk in my write-up of a skydive, coming soon on rebellioustourist.com 😁

Posted by Rebellious Tourist on Saturday, February 2, 2019

18 Comments

    • Lisa Reply

      Thanks Cynthia! Lol. In fairness, you might surprise yourself when faced with it!

  1. Kudos to you for doing this because I know my hubby and I would NOT! LOL! What a great experience regardless!

    • Lisa Reply

      Haha, thanks Katy – it really was one a once-in-a-lifetime thing!

  2. Oh wow! What an amazing experience. I know that my boyfriend would definitely love this; however, I think I would be too scared too! Put me 100 feet under the ocean and I’m all cool. But sky diving? Way too much anxiety for me!

    💗 Alexx | Aesthetics by Alexx
    https://aestheticsbyalexx.com

    • Lisa Reply

      Wow Alexx, really? I’m the opposite, I’ve never tried diving because I’m far more scared of the idea of being stuck underwater!

  3. I absolutely loved your article. I am hoping to skydive (once) this summer. You’ve highlighted most of my fears (and maybe a few personal ones not noted!!) I will remember to be the banana! Thanks for such a play-by-play article!

    • Lisa Reply

      Thanks Debbie! How exciting – and yes, scary, but ultimately worth it. Just focus on taking it all in, and enjoy!

  4. Wow, well done for having the guts to do this! It must be an unforgettable experience but I’m not sure I could do it, I felt nervous just reading your account! It sounds like you were in good hands with the company you went with though.

    • Lisa Reply

      Thanks Shannon! Haha, I’m glad the post conveyed just how nerve-wracking it is… but yes, they’re extremely professional and rationally we knew it was perfectly safe.

  5. That’s an amazing sounding experience! I have New Zealand on my bucket list but had no particular idea of what I wanted to do there but now I do! Thanks!

    • Lisa Reply

      We were the same Catherine, New Zealand was on the list for years but it’s such a diverse country that it’s really hard to know where to start! I’ve just published a post about our North Island itinerary in case that helps! rebellioustourist.com/NZin1week

  6. Wow! I adore your braveness! My SO skydives and I would love to skydive with him but I am afraid of the height and I am that kind of people who gets mini heart-attack just because my chair tips to the back more than I expect. I might pee a little (or a lot?) if I ever have to jump that high.

    Great post tho, very thorough!

    • Lisa Reply

      Thanks Putri! Haha – but it IS scary when your chair tips back! Honestly, I was terrified, but it’s also exhilarating when you accept that fear and just let it happen. Your partner is insane for wanting to do it more than once though. 😀

  7. I did tandem jumping with a few of my co workers. Good for you both for expecting this together. It is such a rush. I hope you continue doing things that you enjoy.

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