Good Vibes sky jumps into new decade
Good Vibes, Nelson
17 - 21 August, 2011
A free falling frenzy of sky diving flair is filling the skies above Motueka this week as New Zealand’s largest annual sky diving event celebrates a decade in the air.
Skydive Abel Tasman is hosting the five day event which began yesterday (17.08.2011).
The sky high programme highlights include wing suit formations, canopy and big-way formations, superhero and helicopter jumps, and beach landings on the region’s famed golden sands.
Spectators will also have the chance to witness a massive pyrotechnic fireworks display, and on Saturday some plucky female sky divers will strip down to their delicates for a charity jump.
As part of the official celebrations, a new Pilatus Porter aircraft has been welcomed into the Skydive Abel Tasman fleet.
Company owner Stuart Bean says "we are all fizzing about the new aircraft and Good Vibes is a wonderful event to welcome it in to the business. We are very excited about the opportunities the Porter will bring us."
Good Vibes
The Good Vibes event was conceived in 2001 by the late Tedd Rudd, who wanted to celebrate the arrival of Skydive Abel Tasman’s new aircraft the Walter Fletcher, with a mass gathering of New Zealand’s sky diving community.
Now Good Vibes plays host to around 150 skydivers from all over the globe, some from as far away as Germany, the US and Japan.
Aviation enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice with a huge range of aircraft turning tricks, including Fletcher and EC310 helicopters, microlights, hang gliders and bi-planes.
Background: Skydiving in New Zealand
Most New Zealand towns have an airstrip or helipad so flight-based activities with breath-taking views are easily accessed.
Many drop zones have a choice of experienced operators offering flight-seeing, skydiving, and hang-gliding.
Some skydive operators and clubs offer static-line jumps, but most novice jumpers opt for a tandem skydive. In a tandem jump, the learner is linked in a double harness to the instructor who has control of the parachute.
After instruction, tandem skydivers are taken to 2500 - 4000m before leaping out together and experiencing up to 45 seconds of freefall.
The Southern Alps and Fiordland (both in the South Island) are popular jumping grounds, and Taupo in the central North Island is another reliable venue.
Background: Nelson Tasman region
Nelson Tasman region, at the ‘top’ of the South Island, is New Zealand’s geographical centre.
With access to three national parks (Kahurangi, Nelson Lakes and Abel Tasman), Golden Bay, sandy beaches, vineyards and abundant sunshine hours, the Nelson region is a popular holiday destination.
Nelson Tasman - with over 40 walks available within 16km of Nelson city - is known as the walkway capital of New Zealand. For serious trampers, the national parks offer multi-day trips. Other activities include day cruises and short easy walks throughout Abel Tasman national park.
The Nelson region's calm, warm waters offer many safe swimming spots, and great sea kayaking. The mild climate (15C - 25C year-round) offers near perfect conditions for water activities.
Nelson is renowned for an energetic arts and crafts scene. The creative local culture is found in small boutiques and well established galleries, such as the Suter. Creative Tourism runs art workshops where visitors can try bone carving, weaving flax, glass blowing, and cooking.