5 minutes with Skydive Algarve’s Tandem Instructor Junior

Monday, October 29, 2018

Junior has been a tandem and AFF instructor at Skydive Algarve now for almost a year and a half. We caught up with him for a quick interview to find out a little more about him.

What’s your name and where are you from?
My name is José Carlos Pedó Júnior and I am from Brazil.

When did you come to Skydive Algarve?
I came to Skydive Algarve in June 2017.

How and when did you get into skydiving?
I started jumping in 1996 with the ASL progression method. I used to be a surfer at that time and I went to the cinema to watch the surf scenes of the movie Point Break. When I saw the guys jumping over the ocean, I told myself “I want to do that.” Shortly after I discovered a cousin who is a skydiver. He showed me loads of skydiving movies and then I decided to get into the sport.

What’s a typical day like at Skydive Algarve for you?
I wake up in the morning, I look up and I see blue skies. I get to meet nice people from all levels/disciplines and from all over the world. I love to spread my thoughts on safety of the sport. I jump a lot and relax on the beach at the end of the day.

How many jumps do you have?
I currently have more than 4300 jumps in total.

What’s one of your most memorable skydives?
Actually I have heaps of memorable ones but a tandem with my daughter is the top one and another very special one for me is a tandem with my father, who used to be very against my will to become a skydiver. When we landed he told me “finally I understand you, this feeling of freedom is unbelievable.”

Check out more information on our tandem skydives at Skydive Algarve on our tandem information page here.

What do you like about being an instructor?
Helping people to make their dream to become skydivers come true and also how to deal with their fears. I also love that big hug from a tandem customer after landing, It is such good energy!

What do you do outside of skydiving?
I like to share good moments like cooking, traveling and snowboarding with my wife, daughter and friends.

What makes Skydive Algarve such a special dropzone for tandems and students?
Everybody smiles here. We are always in a good mood. I guess it’s got a lot to do with the good weather.

Try to describe skydiving to a non skydiver.
Who jumps cannot explain, who doesn’t jump cannot understand.

Leave us with a life lesson from Junior:
Be humble, respect people, do your best, take time for yourself, if you have a question ask more than one person’s opinion. It will be easier for you to make your decision. Stop being a dreamer and start being a doer person: Only you can make your dreams come true.

What’s something you’re proud of in your skydiving career?
To make people think more about safety and to progress in baby steps.

Check out more information on our AFF course to learn to skydive with Junior and other Skydive Algarve instructors here.