Chris Gonnermann – Earn & Learn

Chris’ Story

Hey, my name is Chris Gonnermann and I’m part of the ground crew at Skydive Hibaldstow. I always wanted to fly! When I was a kid I already dreamed about being a pilot, I jumped off stairs with self-made ‘parachutes’ and tried to build up my own little plane, never really got it to fly tho…

After I finished high school I left Germany and flew to Australia. I traveled across the country and worked in various jobs. In the two years I stayed in Australia I realised that I didn’t want to be working to get money with which I can do fun stuff… I wanted to be working and have fun and enjoy my time at work.

In 2015, a friend took me for a tandem skydive in Oz and I just couldn’t believe how awesome this feeling was! I’ve been flying glider planes with a friend before but this was something completely different!

So after a while working in a winery in South Australia I saved up enough money to do my AFF-course in Moruya. The jumping was amazing, the place just gorgeous but the most impressive thing was the community! The people in skydiving are all a bit special but in a good way and everyone is just trying to make the most out of their days. I met instructor and coaches that worked every day ridiculously long hours and still have fun with what they do even after so many jumps they still love to go up and jump again.

From that point on I knew that I wanted to be working in the skydiving industry and become an instructor and tandem instructor! So I started researching and found the Earn and Learn program at Skydive Hibaldstow…and luckily they offered me a job and I am now on my way to become a professional skydiver!

After 6 months of working here in Hibaldstow, I have learned a lot and become a much better skydiver! Some weeks ago I completed my 200th jump and started filming Tandems which isn’t too bad considering that I’ve only been in the sport for about a year!I am looking forward to learning more, progress quicker and become a badass Skydiver here at Skydive Hibaldstow!