Hello and diploma in commercial skydiving offered by SkydivingNZ

[msinc77 0]

Hi there all,

Having completed my first tandem jump in the lovely town of Taupo NZ i have now been well and truly bitten by the bug. I was wondering if anyone had any info, views etc on the diploma in commercial skydiving offered by sjydivingNZ?

I am a UK resident and want to be sure its the best way for me to enter the industry.

Regards and thanks in advance to anyone who is kind enough to help.

Mark

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

Some think it is good, some think otherwise.

Search results for "Diploma commercial skydiving NZ":

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=search_results;search_forum_id=;search_string=diploma%20commercial%20skydiving%20NZ;search_user_username=;search_user_id=;search_time=;search_forum_type=all;search_forum=all;search_fields=sb;search_type=AND;page=1;mh=25;

Going from 1 tandem to making a living at it is a big jump.
If I understand it correctly, you won't have enough experience (jump numbers) to go pro in the UK. You would need to build more experience before you could make any real money at it.

And for the most part, "real money" in skydiving means living in a trailer on the DZ, eating a lot of beans and rice. There are execptions to this, but they aren't all that common.

Do it for fun, worry about turning it into a profession later.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[msinc77 0]

Hi there,

many thanks for your reply. I should have explained myself better. I have completed numerous Tandem jumps in the UK (also managed to get to AFF level three but weather and funds have hampered my progress somewhat). I am finally in a position where I can realise my dream but don't really know where to start.

The Dimploma looked exactly what I was after but have since heard mixed reviews. I have checked the link you kindly sent me and the latest post is Nov 09. Obviously my ideal scenario would be someone who is currently on the course or just finished.

Hopefully someone else as kind as you will see my plight. Thanks again for your reply.

Best regards Mark.

[emmiwy 0]

Hello,

I am only a sport jumper so please take my words with a grain of salt, but I would like to offer my humblest opinion on your situation.

I have some friends who work at my home DZ and are graduates from the NZ Skydiving school with exceptional skills as skydivers and instructors. Since they graduated and completed work placement, they were offered work. BUT this came with a lot of hard work and dedication to earning their instructional ratings. All of them I believe are very positive reflection of what the skydiving diploma offers.

We have another "intern" at our dz, only a few weeks shy post-graduated from the NZ school. He has told me that the school has been exceptional in teaching a lot about the gear, canopy piloting, etc. all necessary to becoming a good, safe skydiver. He has said that they only teach RW/belly flying to encourage solid belly flying skills before doing anything else; none of these guys knew how to freefly before they came to the dz! And all instructors say that solid belly skills are obligatory for their work.

I think if you really are committed to making skydiving an occupation then the diploma is a good way to put you on the path to becoming an instructor. But if its the lifestyle that you are interested in, know that it is not an easy one. Saving up a lot, living off of virtually nothing, eating, sleeping, skydiving is all you'll do for a while. The diploma is preparing you for a life of just skydiving. For what you invest in it, both financially and time-wise, I think having a good reason/commitment to the school is important. As with the sport in general, you can burn out quickly if you're jumping a lot -- it can be tougher to stay in it than quit at times.

Best of luck and blue skies!

[msinc77 0]

Hi there,

thanks for your reply to my plight. Your information has been invaluable. I'm so glad to find someone who has either done the course or knows someone who is 'fresh out of school'. From what you are saying it seems that the problems I had heard of the school have been ironed out now.

The other friends you have at your DZ, did they recently complete too? If so did they have any negatives whilst there? Hopefully not.

Many thanks again for you reply.

Best regards and Blue skies

[jkburrows 0]

Hi there, I am currently considering the Diploma at the NZ Skydiving school and it has been very useful to read various opinions from the numerous posts on the subject.

A lot of the posts are quite old and this particular thread appears to be the most recent. I know a lot of information has been written already and I was just hoping for an update on what other people's experiences have been - particularly from those who have recently completed the course or are on it now.

Part of the reason I am interested in the course route is because I understand I will be able to apply for my NZ residency providing I am successful in completing the course coupled with at least two years experience (which, I understand, includes the course time). My understanding from the school is that I would complete the course on a student visa (I am from the UK), upon completion of the course I can apply for a bridging visa (valid for one year) to give me time to secure a job in the industry and then I can apply for a two year working visa. I understand I can then apply for my residency after two years work experience in the field (which includes the course time).

Any advice or comments on the course, the school, and applying for residency in NZ would be most appreciated.

Many thanks!