Fancy a life-changing freefall followed by a floating sensation usually accompanied by spectacular views? Here's Christine Sparrow's story of following her passion for skydiving ...
In one of Western Australia’s most popular coastal locations, Jurien Bay, you can experience the rush of tandem skydiving and enjoy a vast number of fun activities and beautiful nearby attractions.
Christine Sparrow followed her passion for exactly this, bringing together a love of skydiving and a spectacular location. Originally from Sydney, with a few years of backpacking and working overseas under her belt, Christine first found herself in Western Australia’s Pilbara region before finally settling in Jurien Bay. Here she set up a business to share her love of adventure with others.
So, Christine, what’s your story?
When I saw Jurien Bay in freefall for the first time, I knew it was the most breathtakingly beautiful place I had ever jumped, and that people would travel from Perth and hopefully other destinations, for the view and a beach landing. We knew it was windy in Summer, so spent a month there testing it at the windiest time of the year, December and January. Mornings worked so we decided to spend the following year setting up and planning the new venture.
We opened the doors to Skydive Jurien Bay on Boxing Day 2009.
Describe a typical work week for you at Skydive Jurien Bay?
My week can vary with running “First Jump Courses” for new students, taking those students for “Accelerated Freefall” training jumps, harnessing tandem customers and driving them to and from the beach, checking the following days weather conditions and planning out the week, and sometimes just “fun-jumping” for my own enjoyment!
What is it about skydiving that attracts people to this experience?
Skydiving is full of so many funny characters and stories it’s hard to pick one. It’s been so rewarding training people who hated their jobs, later seeing them go on to travel the world as coaches and make their passion into their career. I trained up a student in Jurien Bay who later came back and coached me!
What else do you love about Jurien Bay?
I'm up in the air a lot so I love the fact that Jurien has some fantastic beaches where I can enjoy a relaxing swim in beautiful clear waters, followed by a great coffee. There are plenty of options around the town for when we have time to take a few days on the road.
More about Skydive Jurien Bay
Skydive Jurien Bay is WA's most awarded and positively reviewed tandem skydive operation. Offering jaw-dropping views of the islands and reefs of the Jurien Bay Marine Park and Turquoise Coast, a tandem skydive here will be the most memorable experience of your visit to Western Australia. With an impeccable safety record, immaculately maintained aircraft and equipment, plus the most engaging and likeable staff, you are in good hands at Skydive Jurien Bay.
Book your skydiving adventure now.
How to get there
Located just 2.5 hours or 220 kms drive north of Perth on the Indian Ocean Drive, and only 20 minutes north of Cervantes, Jurien Bay is one of Western Australia’s family favourites and fast emerging as a popular short break destination.
Jurien offers fantastic swimming, coffee, great beaches and a good range of accommodation options. It is a top fishing spot with the Jurien Bay Marina providing a safe haven for a large number of crayfishing boats. Best way to get there is self-drive from Perth.
What else you can do in Jurien Bay
Swim with the locals, endangered Australian Sea Lions. These cute creatures are often seen lazing in the sun on the beaches of the Jurien Bay Marine Park. But for a close encounter, take a boat tour from Jurien Bay or Green Head and watch them frolic in the wild or swim with these cuties with Sea Lion Charters or Turquoise Safaris.
Cycle the 14 kilometre Turquoise Way Trail which stretches from Jurien Bay Harbour, just north of the main township to the Hill River in the south.
Four-wheeling driving around the Jurien Bay area is very popular. Secret no more – Sandy Cape has recently grown in popularity with visitors taking to Instagram with spectacular photos of this location. Located 13 kilometres north of Jurien Bay, Sandy Cape is a white beach situated in a small, sheltered bay - an all-wheel drive or 4WD is needed to access.
Another great camping spot is Hill River which is accessible by 4WD track only and found 25km from Jurien Bay between Cervantes - it's a great fishing and kayaking spot.
Fish for your supper from the beaches, the Jurien Bay Jetty or the limestone groynes. For those with their own boat - fuel, jetties, ramps and pens are all available to the public.
Take a drive south to Cervantes to see the magical Pinnacles of Nambung National Park or north to Green Head's Stockyard Gully National Park or Lesueur National Park where 10% of WA's total flora is found.
