5 minutes with tandem instructor Maud

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Our tandem instructor Maud is one of the few female instructors in the skydiving world. We caught up with her for a quick chat and this is what we found out about her…..

Hi Maud, tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

I actually graduated and qualified as a Vet (would you believe?) and had begun my proffessional career caring for sick animals but I was suddenly attracted to the skydiving world and decided to take a 180º turn in my life and train to become a skydiving instructor instead!

How long have you been an instructor for?

I’ve been an instructor for 7 years but I’ve been jumping for 15 years now!

How many jumps do you have in total?

I have over 8000 jumps in total and around 1000 jumps as a tandem instructor.

Did you always want to be a tandem instructor?

No, it started when I began my career in skydiving- at first I wanted to be an instructor to teach people to skydive. Then I realized that if I were a tandem instructor I could introduce people, who don’t know what it is to skydive, and have their complete confidence, for you to share this experience with them.

What do you like most about being a tandem instructor?

What I like the most is to share this wonderful experience and to give the client their first time in the air.

If a client appears super nervous how do you reassure them?

I explain as much as I can to make them feel more comfortable, and I’ll let them know that, should they forget anything, I will take the lead and I will do everything for them. They don’t need to do anything- I will take care of them.

What do you like best about working at Skydive Algarve?

I like the working team here at Skydive Algarve. I have some great colleagues here. And the Algarve is really BEAUTIFUL.

What is the most memorable tandem skydive you’ve done and why?

The most memorable tandem I’ve ever done was with my Mum- I took her up for a tandem skydive- that was a really nice experience- to share that with her. The other memorable tandem jump I did was in Mexico – when I saw whales jumping out of the water- that was also something I’ll never forget!

Why do you like Dornier G92 aircraft?

The Dornier planes are very fast, they get to 15,000ft/ 4,600 m quickly. They’re very comfortable and the huge door is great for easy exits and of course it’s also a very reliable aircraft.

When you’re not skydiving- what do you like to do in your spare time?

I adore spending time with my partner of 10 years, Jim- we share all the same passions in life and we’re so fortunate to get to experience so many adventures together. When I’m not in the sky it’s the sea that attracts me. I like to go scubadiving- I also love spending days out on a boat with close friends. That’s what I love about the Algarve too- we not only have one of the best views in Europe for Skydiving but the surrounding area provides so much to do that we’re never bored. It’s such an exciting place to work and explore.

What do you think is the most important thing for a client to take away with them after a Tandem Skydive?

I want the customer to be like: “Wow” I want it to be one of the most memorable things they’ll do in their life and something they will never, ever forget!

To someone who had never done a skydive before how would you explain the feeling of falling at 200km/h

Wow! Wow!

It’s difficult to describe- it’s like a freedom. I’d just tell them- “don’t hesitate, just do it!” You will be attached to a highly experienced, professional tandem instructor who you will be harnessed to, who will take you safely in the air. You will see the world from a totally different perspective. “Just do it!”