Frequently asked questions about tandem skydiving at the Skydive Wanaka dropzone.
Got a question or two about tandem skydiving at our Wanaka dropzone? Have a look here and please contact us if your question isn’t here.
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- General Skydive Questions
- Timing & Transport
- Weather Issues
- The Tandem Skydiving Experience
- Health & Safety
- Video & Photography Options
- Payment & Gift Vouchers
- Is your question not here?
Safety Briefing Video
Watch our full safety briefing video and learn about your different camera options below:
General Skydive Questions
Is there a weight limit?
All persons 95kgs or more are subject to Tandem Master assessment at the drop zone.
The minimum weight is 30kg/66lbs and all passengers must be big enough to fit safely into the harness.
You need to be in a reasonable physical condition to skydive although a
physical disability may not necessarily be a barrier to tandem
skydiving. (You’ll complete a medical statement before your
skydive).
What’s the minimum age limit?
The ability for a child to jump is determined by their age (6 years and over), weight, size and how the harness fits. The minimum weight is 30kg/66lbs and minimum height is 1.2m/47.2inches. All passengers must fit securely into the harness.
Children 12 years and under are permitted to skydive from a maximum height of 9 000ft.
All children are subject to an assessment on the day by the Tandem Master.
Passengers under 18 years require written parental/guardian consent.
What’s the maximum age limit?
There is no age limit as such… Our oldest passenger was 92 !! Can you beat that?! So long as you are in good physical health and have a sense of adventure we encourage you to come and see us for an unforgettable experience!!
Where is Skydive Wanaka’s Dropzone?
Skydive Wanaka is based at Wanaka airport, a 10-minute drive from the alpine village of Wanaka, nestled in the heart of the Southern Alps in the magnificent South Island of New Zealand. Wanaka is only one hours drive from Queenstown.
How long will my skydive take?
Your whole tandem skydive experience will take around three hours – this time can be quicker, but can also take longer, especially in peak times.
What do I need to bring?
You don’t need much more than a smile and sense of adventure! We provide a jumpsuit, hat, goggles and gloves… But please wear shoes that won’t fall off in summer!!! Jandles, flip flops etc. and bare feet are a no no. You need something that will stay on your feet during your 200kph Freefall! And in winter you’ll need to wear warm clothes – layers rather than something bulky, please.
What do I wear for tandem skydiving?
Skydive Wanaka will provide your tandem skydiving jumpsuit, helmet, goggles and gloves. You will need to wear sensible, secure footwear and warm clothing for the New Zealand winter. You can wear either glasses or contact lenses for your tandem skydive without any problem.
Can I wear glasses/contacts?
Yes, you can wear your glasses/contacts – you’ll want to be able to take in the views! We give you goggles that will fit over your glasses or contacts. (Please let your instructor know if you are wearing contact lenses.)
Can I jump barefoot?
No. For health and safety reasons everyone must be wearing closed in footwear.
Should I eat before I jump?
Just eat normally… Skydiving should not make you feel sick!
Can my friends and family come and watch me Skydiving?
Friends and family are welcome to join you at the airport base while you prepare for your skydive. Our landing zone is off site on a private working farm, there is no safe viewing area so you are unable to spectate at the landing zone.
Can I take my camera in the plane with me and during my skydive?
For safety reasons you are not able to take anything in the plane with you… Cameras can come out during the freefall and hit the instructor on the head! You could end up with a very annoyed or unconscious instructor and neither is desirable. So for safety reasons we say no to taking up personal camera equipment.
Can I go in the plane if I am not jumping?
No. Sorry. Again for safety reasons: everyone in the plane must wear a parachute – even our pilot. And once the door is open everyone in the plane has to jump out, this is why we are not able to take up observers!
Is there any sport skydiving at Skydive Wanaka?
Yes if you have a B – License. You will need to be current (have jumped recently) and have a valid log book. You are required to register with the NZPIA (Our Local Parachute Body) prior to jumping and will need to meet prior to jumping with one of our Senior Team to be signed off and assessed.
Your skydiving equipment must have a reserve that has been packed within the last 180 days and an AAD.
Skydive Wanaka is a small tandem skydiving operation, so sports jumps are on a sub-load basis. Please contact us for further information or if you are seeking employment opportunities at Skydive Wanaka see our job vacancies page.
The first jump costs $45. Please enquire on reservations@skydivewanaka.com.
If you’d like to learn how to skydive and to get your skydiving licence, please contact the Auckland Skydive School.
Timing & transport
Transport
We are based at 14 Mustang Lane, Wanaka Airport and please allow about 10 minutes to drive from Wanaka. Please remember to call 30 minutes before the bus time to check we are running on time.
Can we take our children on the bus transfer?
We can only guarantee a transfer for the person skydiving. We can transport children if they are safely able to wear a safety belt and if space is available. New Zealand law does not permit us to carry infants or baby carriers on our buses.
What time are your flights?
We don’t have any set time as we are dependent on weather, air traffic, bookings, etc. We’ll give you a booking time that suits you and you will need to allow at least a couple hours to be with us at the airport.
What time do we have to be at the dropzone?
Please call 30 minutes before your booking time to check on weather conditions and that we are running to schedule. If everything is good then please arrive at your booking time and allow 3 hours for your whole skydive experience.
What time are you open?
The phone lines are manned from 9am until 5pm. We can jump during daylight hours, as long as the weather is good & we have bookings. Please call anytime and leave a message or e-mail reservations@skydivewanaka.com
Weather Issues
Do you know what the weather is going to do? Today, tomorrow, next week?
The weather in Wanaka is usually pretty good! Wanaka is famous for clear sunny days, our annual rainfall is low and clouds do not generally hang around.
If you would like to see when it may be great to go skydiving then check out our weather page for information and weather links. Remember it is always best to book in advance rather than wait to see what the day holds; we do not skydive if the weather conditions are not favourable!
Remember the weather in New Zealand change very quickly!
What if the weather is bad?
We do not jump if the weather is not good: simple. If you are not able to skydive when you are booked we can re-book you later on during the day, or the following day depending on the weather and your schedule. We advise you if you can to be flexible around the time of your jump just in case the weather is not favourable. But the weather is Wanaka is usually pretty good – one of the reasons Wanaka is a great place skydive!
What sort of weather effects tandem skydiving?
Tandem skydiving is very weather dependent and cannot be undertaken in strong winds, or if there is complete cloud cover. New Zealand weather can often change quickly, so we ask that you call us 30 minutes before your jump, to confirm conditions are suitable for tandem skydiving.
The Tandem Skydiving Experience
Can we all jump at the same time?
We can jump 6 – 9 tandems in our plane depending on how many people purchase the freefall video option. Where possible, we try and jump you with your friends or family – we can discuss the options with you further when you come out to skydive.
How many fit in the plane?
We can fit up to 9 tandems in the plane. It depends on the video options you choose – camera flyers take up some seats.
How much can I see?
A lot! You have chosen the most visually spectacular skydive in New Zealand… From jump altitude – ESPECIALLY 15,000 feet – you will have 360 degree views of New Zealand’s highest mountains including Aoraki / Mt Cook and Tititea / Mt Aspiring. We’re talking “majestic mountains that tower over” the World Heritage Mt. Aspiring National Park. Mountains where glaciers feed forested river valleys and six lakes (Lakes Wanaka, Hawea, Dunstan, Wakatipu, Pukaki, Tekapo)… You’re jumping into Lord of the Rings country. Just make sure you keep your eyes open!!!!
Is it cold?
The plane flight to altitude is not cold. Once the door is open and during freefall you will feel a bit of a rush of fresh air! Most people are too busy thinking about and enjoying their skydive to worry about the temperature!
That said, it can get a little chilly in the winter months – the price you pay for the new dimension the snow on the mountains adds to the view… A new level of spectacular!
Please wear warm clothing. We will provide you with a jumpsuit, hat, goggles and gloves, and we have spare hoodies, if we feel you are not wearing enough.
What does freefall feel like?
You might think there will be a sensation of falling. Freefalling is more like floating on a bed of air – you have no sensation of actually falling. Freefall is a unique feeling… you just have to do a tandem skydive to experience it!
How long is the freefall?
• From 15,000ft (4,575 metres) – up to 60 seconds
• From 12,000ft (3,650 metres) – up to 45 seconds
• From 9,000ft (2,743 metres) – up to 25 seconds
We recommend that you go to the highest altitude that your budget will allow, especially if you are having a freefall video/pictures combo or tandem skydiving instructor handi-cam video.
Is the tandem skydive landing hard?
Skydive Wanaka use state of the art tandem parachutes that are designed for tandem skydiving. These tandem skydiving parachutes are highly maneuverable and allow slow, soft parachute landings.
What happens if I get up there and I decide not to go?
It is extremely rare that this happens – only a handful of times over the years! But if you decide not to jump there will be no refund, sorry. You and your tandem master will both come back down in the plane. We ensure that before you go skydiving, you are prepared and happy with what will be the best experience of your life!
Health & Safety
Has anyone been hurt?
Skydive Wanaka has a great tandem skydive safety record. During our 20+ years of operation we have had an exemplary safety record and we are committed to keeping it that way.
We are an experienced team of dedicated professionals, our attitude towards personal service and safety means you skydive with the best. We use the latest state of the art parachute equipment which is well maintained and our instructors are hand-picked for their experience and attitude.
Do you jump from higher than 15,000 feet ?
We do not tandem skydive from above 15,000 feet above ground level, which in Wanaka is 16,100 feet above sea level, because we do not believe it is safe. The New Zealand Parachute Industry Association, which we are associate members of, have rules based on safety that do not allow us to go higher than 16,500 above sea level. For more information on the risks involved in high altitude tandem skydiving please do read this document and be informed on your own safety.
Video & Photography Options
Can we both be filmed at the same time?
No, sorry, it is impossible to film more than one person in freefall. Our camera flyers are good. But you’d have to be faster than a speeding bullet to fly between two tandems falling at terminal velocity. We’ll be sure to employ anyone named Clark who applies for a job whose address is Smallville, Kansas, but until then…
We are very happy to film 2 people on the ground and in the plane. It is best that each person has their own video – be the star you always wanted to be! Why share the limelight?
Why Should I pay more and get the freefall Video or picture options?
Tandem skydiving will be the highlight of your New Zealand adventure! Freefall video and digital pictures means that you can relive your tandem skydive over and over again. It is your proof and chance to show the world you have done it! Your smile in freefall is priceless!
What is the difference between Video & Photo options?
The Handi-Cam Package is a freefall video taken by your tandem master with his wrist mounted camera with a very wide angle lens. Your Tandem Master is with you every step of the way including your first reactions once the parachute is open and some of the parachute ride. Includes 100+ digital images and an edited video to music.
The Camera-Flyer Package is taken by one of our creative, experienced cameraflyers who jumps with the tandem pair in freefall. Our cameraflyer has a camera mounted on their helmet. This is the option to choose if you wish to have freefall pictures and an overall perspective of your skydive and scenery. The freefall video is fully edited and includes 100+ digital freefall pictures of your skydive all on your own personal website for viewing and downloading.
Please note: This does not include under canopy and is a Dedicated Package so it cannot be pre-booked. Must be booked on the day of your skydive, subject to availability.
The Ultimate Package includes wrist mounted handi-cam video & photos + the camera flyer so you get all different angles of your skydive experience from the freefall to the landing. Includes 100+ digital images, edited video and a Skydive Wanaka cap (15,000ft only).
Please note: This is a Dedicated Package so it cannot be pre-booked. Must be booked on the day of your skydive, subject to availability.
Can I write stuff on my hands?
You can! PLEASE DO!! But depending on the temperature you will most likely be wearing gloves in freefall. You may be able to film your hands before getting in the plane.
Payment & Gift Vouchers
How do I book my tandem skydiving experience?
The fastest way to book your tandem skydive is to book online using our secure booking form or call Skydive Wanaka direct – FREEPHONE: 0800 786 877 (Within New Zealand ONLY).
Book your skydive online and make the most of our current online special.
If you are travelling as part of a New Zealand tour, or travelling with Kiwi Experience, Magic Bus or Stray Travel, your driver or tour guide should be able to assist in booking your tandem skydive in advance. Most New Zealand accommodation providers, such as hotels, motels, backpackers and campsites will also assist you in making a booking for tandem skydiving.
What type of payment do you accept?
Skydive Wanaka accept credit card payments via Visa and Mastercard, Eftpos $NZ, cash in NZ$ dollars and New Zealand Travellers Cheques.
What sort of discounts do you offer?
Our group discounts start at 10 people, a great excuse to get lots of friends to come and skydive with you! And – if you catch the skydiving bug that plagues us – we can offer multi-jump discounts. Contact us to discuss all options.
If I pay online and we don’t jump due to operational issues , do we get refunded?
Yes. Ask our staff for further information.
Can I buy a tandem skydiving gift voucher?
Yes. Skydive Wanaka offer tandem skydiving gift vouchers and you do not have to be resident in New Zealand. Simply complete our secure online gift voucher order form and we will post your gift voucher anywhere in the world within 24 hours.
Is your question not here?
Get an answer now phone 0800 786 877 or email: reservations@skydivewanaka.com
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