Newbie from India hoping to pursue skydiving

[shrik14 0]

Hey guys

I am Shrikanth from India. i have been reading threads regarding the diploma in skydiving at new zealand skydiving school and found there were mixed opinions. but one thing i understood was that more than the diploma, its the experience that counts. I did my Masters in Australia for a couple of years and i did three did tandem jumps (2 in jurien bay and 1 in york). Sadly i couldnt stay in australia after my post graduation as i had some visa issues. now i am back in india working 9 hours a day, 5 days a week getting paid hardly anything.

I would really like to do skydiving for a living and dont mind roughing it out abroad to make ends meet as 1) there are no good dropzones here and 2) the staff and people running them are very irresponsible and negligent regarding safety.

Now regarding the diploma, as an international student it will cost me $16,050 + ~$10,000 for the equipment (estimation on the higher end). So converting it, it will be the salary i earn in 5-6 years here in India. Luckily since my parents are willing to help me out, it shouldnt be that big a problem. My aim is to stay back in NZ, work in the industry, become an AFF/tandem instructor (havent decided) and hopefully get my permanent residency. In one of the threads somebody had mentioned that a couple of international students didnt get the 12 week work placement due to some immigration issues. So after the course, is there any chance at all i'll get work placement either in New zealand or abroad? I will have to come to NZ on a student visa for this and i dont think i can do it in any other country on a student visa.

Are there any other alternatives to this?

I am 5'5 so are there any height restrictions to become a tandem master/instructor?

Thanks in advance

• Quote

[ianyapxw 0]

I can't help you with regards to visas but I know that there's a Working Holiday Visa for Australia.

One way to get your foot in the skydiving industry is to start with small jobs (video editing, mow the lawn, trash) then start to pack for jumps as you build jump numbers and get your rating. There are a TON of downsides to working in the industry but hey I get that certain countries are really horrible to work in too, make your choices well: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4610977;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread

This too: https://www.skydivenagambie.com/learn-to-skydive/jump-start.html

That's all I can help you with.

All the best! (:

[shrik14 0]

sadly india and australia dont have an agreement for working holiday visa. my heart just sank reading the thread but reality is a bitch unfortunately. well i think ill just chug on with the job i have and study something else which will help me move to another country and hopefully down the line i can skydive as a hobby. especially with the present indian economy, everything seems unaffordable. thanks for the link mate. much appreciated.

[ianyapxw 0]

No worries.

My former boss was from Philippines so I know things can be difficult.

Your best, best bet is migrating overseas using your degree, and skydiving as a hobby. How good/bad India is as a place, only you can decide.

Hope everything works out

[TheDoctor2608 0]

From my experience: start as a packer. If you get on a busy dropzone, you get tons of cash in quite a short time. Don't underestimate it though, it's a really really tough job. Did it for nine months. Was already jumping before, had some packing experience from the jumps I did myself, around 100. Started packing in Australia. But I'm sure there are other places where you can start too where you won't have visa problems. Pack for maybe half a year to one year, you earn good money, get to know the community and how everything on a dropzone works. If you got any questions shoot me a private message. Blue skies, hope it all works out well for you!

[jumpsalot-2 2]

There is always the USA.

Life is short ... jump often.