The crew at Skydive Bay of Islands is what makes this an awesome place to go skydiving! From the check-in crew to the pilot, each and every one of our crew make sure you have the best possible experience! One of the most memorable aspects of your jump will be the person who gets you safely back on the ground – your tandem instructor! Our tandem instructors have over twenty thousand jumps and twenty years of experience between them and are trained to the highest level. Our friendly ground staff will look after you before and after your jump, and they’ll be there to help you take it all in when your feet finally touch down again.

Meet the crew!

 

 
General Manager/Tandem Master

Andrew has been a tandem master for 22 years, with 7 of those working at Skydive Bay of Islands. He completed his first jump 30 years ago in South Africa, and since then he has done more than 17,000 jumps!

Andrew’s favourite part about being a Tandem Master is that he gets to meet so many different people and be part of their first skydiving experiences.

His favourite memories of being a Tandem Master were when he was able to take his 2 kids for their first skydives.

DropZone Dog/Support Crew

Jamie is a 10-year-old Staffy and loves nothing more than spending her days at the Dropzone with her friends! Jamie can often be found following Andrew around or tricking our customers into giving her attention and cuddles. Jamie plays a key role in helping our customers feel calm, at ease, and part of the family!

Tandem Master

Before becoming a Tandem Master Maurice worked as a hotel manager back in Ireland. He did his first jump as a tandem customer in Cairns, Australia in 2006. Since then Maurice has completed over 10,000 jumps and been a Tandem Master for the past 10 years.

Maurice loves spending his days helping his customers to experience their first skydive and seeing the joy that it brings them.

His favourite memory was when he took his mum for a skydive!

Tandem Master

Before he was a Tandem Master Prashant served in the Indian Army. After serving for 20 years he took early retirement in the rank of Colonel and migrated to New Zealand to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time Tandem Master!

Prashant’s favorite part about his job is being able to make his customers experience skydiving fun, and ensuring they leave with memories they will be able to cherish forever.

Every customer comes with a different energy level and comes with their own personality and story. One of Prashant’s most memorable customers was a 9-year-old girl who told Prashant that she didn’t want to lose her pink Ugg Boots during the jump, and warned him that he would have to go find it if one were to fall off.

Manifest & Ground Crew

Lucie completed her first 20,000ft tandem jump here at Skydive Bay of Islands, and instantly was hooked, she’s an adventure adrenaline junkie! A ground staff/manifest crew role popped up and in a matter of 3 weeks, she had moved down to Kerikeri and started her crew role here and loves it!

After doing bungee jumps, swings and slingshots, she enjoyed skydiving the best. She has completed  her AFF course and is now able to skydive solo!

Lucie is not only a full time student completing her NCEA level 3 with Te Kura, but she also attends a Business of Tourism Academy with ITC, as well as working here which SBOI really accommodates for.

Lucie favourite part about working at Skydive Bay of Islands is being able to give people an amazing experience and seeing their grins ear to ear after they completed their jump, it’s heartwarming and an awesome thing to experience. She see lots of different people walk through the doors here at SBOI, some from different countries and even different continents. It’s amazing to be able to chat with them and learn about their experiences and stories!

Ground Crew/Camera Flyer

After Dylan completed his first skydive in 2020 he knew he wanted to make his way into the industry, after a couple more years of working as an electrician he decided it was time to change jobs. He joined the team here at Skydive Bay of Islands in September of 2022 where Dylan started off as ground crew and has now worked his way up to being a camera flyer.

Dylan enjoys seeing the stages of excitement, fear and joy that come with doing your first skydive. As people come in and seem calm at first and then look nervous in the plane to being able to jump out with them and see the smile light up on their faces as they realise how freeing the feeling of jumping out of a plane is, truly indescribable.

The best part of working here for Dylan is being able to film and capture such a special memory for people as they can look back on their first skydive for years to come.

 

Pilot

Stefan went on his first flight when he was 14 and was hooked from that point forward. Combining his love of aviation and adrenaline led him to work here at Skydive Bay of Islands.

Stefan began flight school back in 2020 in Hamilton. He then continued his commercial and instructor training down in Nelson. Outside of flying he enjoys keeping active, and is always out seeking his next adventure.

Stefan loves being a part of the team at Skydive Bay of Islands – every day is different and he enjoys being able to deliver a unique and exciting experience to our customers. The most enjoyable parts for him are the amazing views from his sky office, and getting to see the customers on such a buzz after their jumps.

Ground Crew

Meet Emma, a 14-year-old ground crew member at Skydive Bay of Islands. Growing up on the dropzone where her dad works, she developed a passion for skydiving from an early age.

Despite her youth, Emma has completed three tandem jumps, fueling her love for the sport.

Emma’s infectious enthusiasm and warm personality create an inviting atmosphere for visitors and experienced skydivers.

Packer/Camera Flyer

From the moment Claire did her first tandem jump in 2014 she knew that she wanted to work in the skydiving industry!

Claire moved to New Zealand and enrolled in Skydiving School in January 2016. During her training, Claire came to work at Skydive Bay of Islands as a student and has now been part of our family for the past 7 years.

Claire’s most memorable jump was when she filmed outside camera for her twin sister back in 2016. One of her favourite parts of her jump is being able to jump into the Waitangi Treaty Grounds – this was such a privilege and the views are absolutely breathtaking!

Sales & Marketing Manager

After completing her first skydive at age 14, Paige knew she had found a new love for all things adrenaline. However, only after a year of studying law and criminology at Auckland University in 2017, did Paige realise her passion laid out of the ordinary.

In returning back to her hometown of the Bay of Islands in 2018, Paige soon began working for Skydive Bay of Islands, starting first as a manifest/ground crew member. Presently, she has expanded her role in also becoming Skydive Bay of Island’s marketing maestro.

Paige loves the many people she gets to meet every day at work. Her most favourite part about working in a manifest/ground crew role is seeing people’s expressions change from fear before jumping to jubilation and excitement after completing it. In her marketing role, she most enjoys meeting with friendly people, visiting some spectacular locations, and hearing amazing stories from other people in the tourism industry.

At present, Paige has completed five tandem jumps. Her second, which came as a surprise from the SBOI staff members when she first started, made her realise that she had walked into a strong family culture here at SBOI.

Ground Crew/Packer

Gavin did his first jump with his dad back in 2007 when he was just 6 years old! Gavin knew from a young age that he wanted to learn how to skydive. He grew up around skydiving and spent a lot of time at Dropzones, so over the next 10 years, he did 5 more tandems, and then started his AFF course to learn how to skydive solo when he was 16 years old.

Although Gavin loves all his solo jumps, his fondest memory was of his second tandem jump. Gavin jumped as a tandem customer with his dad onto a beach in South Africa, with his 2 uncles also jumping as camera flyers and filming outside camera of the jump!

Gavin has worked at Skydive Bay of Islands every summer since turning 16. He loves the fun, vibrant, and stimulating working environment. Whether he’s on the packing mat or helping gear up customers for their jump, Gavin constantly feels happy to be doing the job he’s doing.

 

 



 

 

 

 

 
 

 
  • star rating  It was so fun even though I was terrified! I jumped with RHYS BRADY and he was brilliant it was an enjoyable experience and I would definitely try it... read more

    avatar thumb llyantms
    28 December 2022

    star rating  Awesome experience Instructor (Prashanti) made the whole experience fun and memorable. Definitely will be back to go higher. Recommend to all!

    Rylee Windelborn
    1 April 2022

    star rating  All of it. From ground to ground. Waiting for 30,000 feet then edge of space. I'm in for all of it. If I could afford to go solo I would

    Chris
    1 February 2022
  • star rating  What an amazing place! The views, the people and the dog, Jamie!!! Such an amazing experience! I highly recommend this activity.

    scottmm83
    28 September 2022

    star rating  Such an awesome experience and heaps of fun Great tandem Instrustor Prashant made the whole experience relaxing and piece of mind Would highly recommend and do again in the future... read more

    Mark Kerr
    1 April 2022

    star rating  I had prashant as instructor for a tandem dive, couldn't have wished for a better person to jump out of a plane with. For anyone who hasn't skydived I would... read more

    Sean
    1 January 2022
  • star rating  I had an awesome time! Such a great experience and excellent, friendly staff 😁 Thank you so much to Prashant for being so comforting during the dive and Teremoana for... read more

    Kiri
    1 February 2022

    star rating  My daughter who is in a wheelchair wanted to try skydiving with a friend. Everyone at Skydive Bay of Islands was willing to make that happen. She jumped with Andrew... read more

    avatar thumb Y3393IBkathys
    16 December 2022

    star rating  Such an amazing experience! Super fun and funny crew who made the whole experience great! Will be back for more adrenaline rushes!

    Tamara W
    1 March 2022
  • star rating  This is my second time Skydiving in the Bay of Islands and If you are wanting to give it a go- GO FOR IT! Such an unreal experience with stunning... read more

    Emma T
    1 January 2022

    star rating  Being scared of heights this was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done but just amazing, so glad I did it. Easy to book, pick up from our hotel was... read more

    avatar thumb Edbods
    24 November 2022

    star rating  Booked jump for my son’s 15th birthday who was very nervous and team was very helpful specially his instructor Prashant very professional and fun loving person who made him laugh... read more

    SandyM1818
    29 April 2022
  • star rating  After a few failed attempts to get to Taupo (lockdowns) to skydive with friends, and after the death of one of my groups mother, we decided while we were all... read more

    travellingtillmans
    1 March 2022

    star rating  Exhilarating time and sensory overload made this a memorable first skydiving experience. Prashant was professional and chill throughout. I had a great time =)

    brunorD6167NM
    19 July 2022

    star rating  We’ll run and safety was always first. Prashant Kapooron was incredibly friendly as were all the staff. I would highly recommend doing this. I’ll be back up in 2023... read more

    Lesleyeaton
    22 July 2022
  • star rating  Best experience of my life by far! Beautiful view, amazing and kind staff and wonderful dog Jamie. Felt safe and enjoyed every second of it. Would definitely recommend, and WILL... read more

    D9753KTemmam
    27 September 2022

    star rating  Absolutely the best! It brought back so many memories of my previous skydive experience from the early 1960's. Maurice was amazing! He understood and supported this octogenarian to tick... read more

    Octoadrenalinejunkie
    16 July 2022

    star rating  Amazing blue sky experience from 20,000 feet over the beautiful Bay of Islands. Thanks to my great instructor Prashant and all the Skydive Bay of Islands team for a fantastic afternoon.

    Mike
    1 January 2022
  • star rating  An amazing afternoon skydiving over the beautiful Bay of Islands. Maurice, my tandem master, was great. Knowledgable, calm, totally kept me at ease, pointed out all the sights on the... read more

    Nikiwe A
    1 January 2022

    star rating  Such a fun experience wow! Prashant was an incredible instructor, kept me calm and safe, reminded me to smile! I loved it

    avatar thumb hannahrA1448XI
    21 December 2022

    star rating  Awesome experience, loved the way Maurice Healy guided me with each step to make it a wonderful dive

    Avneet Singh
    1 January 2022
  • star rating  Tick off my bucket list . Prashant Kapoor was my Tandom instructor! I could not of felt any safer in this man’s hands / arm’s literally! He was so engaging... read more

    avatar thumb 713leanneb
    20 November 2022

    star rating  What an beautiful morning doing the sunrise jump! Thank you Skydive Bay of Islands for an awesome experience, an Maurice for being a great calming instructor!

    Lindsayllr
    15 July 2022

    star rating  I liked all of it. I did this for my birthday, on my birthday making it an awesome way to celebrate and remember the date. My favourite was when the... read more

    Lisa E
    8 October 2022
  • star rating  Terrifying exhilarating fantastic fun. Maurice Healy
    has amazing people skills!
    Hope he’s still there in a months time when I do my second jump!!
    Thanks to all the... read more

    angelanz2015
    19 October 2022

    star rating  I was so nervous but my tandem diver Maurice was so amazing. He was clear about what I was meant to do but he made it fun and ugh I'm... read more

    samanthamE6975CW
    5 November 2022

    star rating  Amazing and unforgettable first skydive!!!
    Fantastic staff and the Instructor who made the experience even more better!!

    RituD133
    15 January 2021
  • star rating  Just wow - the feeling of cold air - walked away with the biggest smile - amazing - would 110% do it again and again

    avatar thumb 363calebe
    29 November 2022

    star rating  From the time I stepped foot in the premises the crew were professional, a well oiled machine that worked without fault. My instructor Prashant Kapoor was fantastic, I can’t recommend... read more

    MultiTeish99
    16 April 2022

    star rating  Awesome experience Instructor (Prashanti) made the whole experience fun and memorable. Definitely will be back to go higher.
    Recommend to all!

    rylee_windelborn
    7 April 2022

Reviews

More Reviews