High flying milestone for Lynette

A stalwart of New Zealand?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s tandem skydiving fraternity celebrated a high flying milestone in Rotorua this week.

Lynette Warn (44), a tandem master with award-winning operator Nzone ?¢‚ǨÀúThe Ultimate Jump?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ has reached the 10,000 skydive mark. The achievement places this ambitious adventure sportswoman well ahead of many male counterparts in the country.

?¢‚Ǩ?ìI?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m stoked to reach this point in my career. Ten thousand skydives sounds like a huge number, but I can honestly say I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ve enjoyed every single one, particularly taking Ricky Martin for a tandem during his New Zealand visit,?¢‚Ǩ¬ù said Lynette.

?¢‚Ǩ?ìI hope my career might inspire a few girls out there and show that skydiving is a profession both women and men can excel at.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù

Robynne Williams, Nzone?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s general manager, said she was delighted to help Lynette celebrate.

?¢‚Ǩ?ìThe team is thrilled for Lynette and her achievement in reaching the 10,000 skydiving mark. This is a defining career moment and we?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢re proud to have someone with such huge experience working with us,?¢‚Ǩ¬ù said Robynne.

Recalling her first skydive in 1983, Lynette had little idea then that the adrenalin sport would become her profession.

?¢‚Ǩ?ìTwenty five years ago I did a static line jump in Toogoolawah in Australia with the old round parachutes. Back then it was just an activity on a to-do list and I was only ever going to do one,?¢‚Ǩ¬ù said Lynette.

In 1991 she started working at Parakai Parachute Centre, packing chutes and doing her static line training. Lynette then qualified within three years and became New Zealand?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s third female tandem instructor.

Originally from Hellensville, Lynette and her husband owned a hot air balloon business but she quickly converted from ballooning to skydiving. By the end of July 2008 she has amassed 6,000 tandems and 4,000 solo skydives.

Lynette?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s other achievements include captaining New Zealand?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s first all female 4-way skydiving team at the 1999 World?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s in Corona. In 2005 she participated in the Australian Women?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s Record 47-way skydive and the same year was part of the world record breaking 151 person Women?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s Skydiving Formation in Perris, California.

A keen runner and Ironwoman, Lynette has represented New Zealand at world level triathlon, in 2006 she placed fifth at the Long Distance World Championships in Canberra and in 2007 and 2008 she won New Zealand?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s National Long Distance Tri Champs.

Huge Success for the Snow Sports NZ Awards

WANAKA, New Zealand (June 18, 2008) ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú Snow Sports NZ (SSNZ) has kicked off the NZ winter season celebrating the past years success at the SSNZ Snow Sports Awards, held in Wanaka last weekend.

The aim of the awards was to celebrate the success of snow sports in New Zealand for 2007/2008 and with 150 people attending from all over New Zealand, the event was the largest to date.

12 awards were received on the evening. The climax was the announcement of the NZ Snow Sports Athlete of the Year Award. Freeskier Jossi Wells (18) and Adaptive Ski Racer Adam Hall (20) were named for the first time ever joint winners.

Both athletes have had their most successful year to date finishing off their year in the Northern hemisphere with world class results.

Paralympian skier Hall, who was born with spina bifida, captured the largest number of medals of any snow sports team member this season, and moved up to second in the overall slalom world rankings, from 14th in 2007.

Hall is also ranked seventh in Giant Slalom (GS), and is in the top 20 in Super GS and Super Combined.

He returned home from overseas earlier this year with seven gold medals from the North American Cup series, a gold and two silvers in the World Cup circuit and gold at the Wells Fargo World Invitational, Winter Park.

Wells, who is at the forefront of international freeskiing was not only named 2008 World Halfpipe Champion, he was also the first Kiwi to pick up silver at the world?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s biggest freeski event, the Winter X Games. Wells won the Nippon Freeskiing Open slopestyle, and placed second in the US Open Big Air event.

Wells is already focused on exchanging his X Games silver for a gold in 2009 and said it is his life goal to win X Games gold in both slopestyle and superpipe, while Hall is focused on winning gold at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010.

Hall also collected the award for the New Zealand Snow Sports Adaptive Skier of the Year, and Wells won the New Zealand Snow Sports Freeskier of the year.

Other finalists for the Overall Athlete of the year include Snowboarder of the Year Mitch Brown, Alpine Ski Racer of the Year Ben Griffin and Andrew Pohl who was named Cross Country Skier of the Year.

Full list of winners:

• SnowSports Overall Athlete of the Year: Jossi Wells and Adam Hall
• Alpine Skier of the Year: Ben Griffin (Ohakuni)
• Disabled Skier of the Year: Adam Hall (Wanaka)
• Cross Country Skier of the Year: Andrew Pohl?Ǭ† (Dunedin)
• Snowboarder of the Year: Mitch Brown (Tauronga)
• Free Skier of the Year: Jossi Wells (Wanaka)
• NZ Volunteer of the Year: Garry Askew (Nelson)
• NZ Coach of the Year: Alastair Smaill (Auckland)
• NZ Ski Area Service Award (giving best service to their visitors): Whakapapa
• Small Ski Areas Service Award: Mt Cheeseman
• Ski Racing Masters Cup ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú Womens: Deanie Johnstone (Queenstown)
• Ski Racing Masters Cup ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú Mens: Walter Unterberger (Nelson)

Ready for the weekend?

Skiers and snowboarders urged to get gear checked

With most people?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s first day on the mountain this year looming, the New Zealand Snow Industries Federation is urging people to take advantage of free ski and snowboard equipment checks.

Many people are injured unnecessarily each year on the slopes due to malfunctioning gear.

NZSIF members throughout the country are tackling the problem head on with free snow equipment checks.

To get an equipment check, simply take your gear ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú skis, boards and boots – into an NZSIF member retailer identified by an NZSIF and equipment check sticker. Each item is inspected free of charge by a professional, and will help give you piece of mind when you hit the slopes.

A full list of NZSIF members is available at www.nzsif.org.nz

Whakapapa Weather Summary

Days 0-3 Whakapapa Weather Summary: A heavy fall of snow, heaviest during Tue morning. Temperatures will be below freezing (max 0?Ǭ?C on Sun morning, min -11?Ǭ?C on Tue afternoon). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the WNW on Mon morning, gales from the WSW by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Whakapapa Weather Summary: A moderate fall of snow, heaviest on Wed night. Temperatures will be below freezing (max -1?Ǭ?C on Fri morning, min -7?Ǭ?C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (severe gales from the W on Wed night, strong winds from the W by Thu night).

NZ heli-ski operator develops world leading safety technology

New Zealand heli-ski operator has developed world-leading technology designed to minimise risk and maximise enjoyment for heli-skiers and riders.

Queenstown-based Alpine Heli Ski has designed an innovative web-based tool that is believed to be a Southern Hemisphere ?¢‚ǨÀúfirst?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢.

It uses the latest images, Google Earth maps, avalanche data and up to date information to help their guides select the safest and most suitable terrain for heliskiing on a day to day basis.

Alpine Heli Ski co-owner Tim O?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢Leary said the most important part of a heli-ski guide?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s job was to select the best terrain to suit the weather and snow conditions and the abilities of their clients on any given day.

?¢‚Ǩ?ìObviously safety is our number one priority, but we also want to select terrain that?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s going to suit the energy levels and skills of clients so they get the very best heli-ski experience possible.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù

Alpine Heli Ski has exclusive access to more than 5,000 sq kms of terrain in backcountry areas surrounding Queenstown, Wanaka and Mt Cook.

Mr O?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢Leary said the web tool mapped all the many and varied heliski runs within that terrain, and provided a comprehensive avalanche and snowfall history including images and difficulty ratings for each of the runs.

?¢‚Ǩ?ìWe use this tool as part of our comprehensive safety management system which captures all of the latest information we need to educate and train staff year round, and during the heli-ski season it?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s an integral part of our morning brief when we assess conditions and decide on the most suitable terrain that day.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù

Mr O?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢Leary said in the past the company had referred to paper documents which weren?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t user friendly and were extremely difficult to keep up to date.

?¢‚Ǩ?ìWe knew we needed a smarter system so we worked with Lee Blazek of Backcountry-Skier.Org in Queenstown to develop the online tool,?¢‚Ǩ¬ù he said. ?¢‚Ǩ?ìSafety is absolutely paramount to us so we were very happy to invest in technology that further minimises any risk to our staff or clients.

?¢‚Ǩ¬ùI believe we?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢re the only heli-operator in the Southern Hemisphere to be using this kind of advanced technology. This combined with our reputation as a professional, responsible, and environmentally aware operation confirms our position as leaders in our industry,?¢‚Ǩ¬ù he added.

For more information about Alpine Heli Ski visit www.alpineheliski.com

More employers and extra days for Work Canada Job Fair

IEP?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s 2008 Work Canada Job Fair is going to be bigger and better than ever before. The word has spread that Kiwis make excellent workers on the Canadian slopes and more and more suppliers have signed up for the fair. Extra dates have been added to the schedule at Ohakune and Queenstown.

Finding it hard to fill positions locally, the Canadian employers have a huge variety of jobs on offer for Kiwis, such as: Ski and Snowboard Instructors, Snowmakers, Groomers, Servers, Hosts, Cooks, Front Office Agents, Guest Services and Room Attendants. The Canadians know that Kiwis have an excellent work ethic and laid back, friendly personalities, this combined with our love for the great outdoors makes us the perfect employees for Canadian ski fields. That?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s why each year the Canadian employers keep coming back for more!

And what?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s in it for the Kiwis? Well you get to improve your skills in the world?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s best powder on your days off and have the time of your life! Working for these employers means that you get great perks like free or highly discounted lift passes, accommodation at great rates, discounts on food and retail, the list goes on!

The employers that have signed up for this year?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s Job Fair are:

• Whistler Blackcomb
• Kicking Horse
• Panorama
• Grouse Mountain
• Canada Olympic Park
• Fairmont Hotels and Resorts

Job Fairs will be held on the following dates:

Auckland 2nd and 3rd August

Christchurch 4th August

Extra dates for Whistler Blackcomb recruitment are:

Ohakune 31st July

Queenstown 5th August

So who can do it? To be eligible for IEP?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s Work Canada Job Fair, you must be aged between 18 and 30, hold a New Zealand Passport and have no criminal convictions.

IEP is a non-profit organisation, which means in short we have the interest of the traveller at heart, and we have a tremendous passion for the whole experience of work and travel overseas.

For further information on IEP?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s work and travel programs check out www.iep.co.nz

Cover of the Year – 2008 WINNER!

Category: Special Interest

The judges comment
Adventure magazine stood out for having ?¢‚Ǩ?ìan idea?¢‚Ǩ¬ù and created graphic standout with a dynamic image.

Publishers comment
We pride ourselves on our outstanding images and it is nice to be recognised for this effort.

Other Higlights for 2008
With over 26 years of Adventure being published this year will see our 150th issue hit the stands.

Special thanks to all who have been involved with the magazine from readers to advertisers and everyone in between.

The Big AirBag Lands on Snowplanet

Unique in New Zealand, a hit in Europe, the Big AirBag is the coolest thing since sliced bread!

?¢‚Ǩ?ìWe are so excited about the Big AirBag!?¢‚Ǩ¬ù says Heather Reid from Snowplanet. ?¢‚Ǩ?ìIt?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s the
ultimate and cool way to practice your jumps. The Big AirBAG is a giant fall cushion where you
don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t have to worry about how to land. It?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s placed in front of a ski-jump, it?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ll catch any type of
fall from the jump. This means that every snowboarder or skier can practice jumps without the
bruises. Gotta love no bruises!?¢‚Ǩ¬ù

For guru freestyle snow sporters, the Big AirBag provides the optimum way of extending
snowboard or skiing skills, offering an ideal training method for beginners and experienced
jumpers. Snowplanet will be running training sessions to get the newbie?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s kick started.
The Big AirBAG reinforces Snowplanet?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s commitment to the freestyle market. It will provide the
opportunity to perfect techniques, including setting up spins and flips. It?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s also ideal for
teaching beginners and experienced skiers and snowboarders to get the most from the terrain
park. One can learn basic techniques, such as approach, launch, airtime and preparing for
landing. The fun aspect and advancement is huge!?¢‚Ǩ¬ù ?¢‚Ǩ?ìIt?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s ?¢‚Ǩ?ìsick?¢‚Ǩ¬ù . . . I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m told that?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s snowboarder
lingo for very very cool?¢‚Ǩ¬ù, says Heather.

The excitement is about to begin at Snowplanet with the Big AirBag opening Friday, 6th June 2008.
It will then be open Monday & Tuesday evenings from 8.30-10pm and Friday nights from 6-10pm.
To get the run down on Snowplanet?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s Big AirBag phone Heather Reid on 09 4270167.
Check out the Big AirBag website www.bigairbag.com or Snowplanet?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s website www.snowplanet.co.nz

First mother and daughter team ever have summited Mount Everest!

At 4:36 and 4:50am on 24th May Kathmandu time, the first mother and daughter team summited Mount Everest ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú the World?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s Tallest Mountain! This impressive feat also means that Cheryl Bart, a corporate lawyer and her daughter Nicki, a medical student are the first mother/daughter team to complete the Seven Summits around the world!

After close to 9 weeks of enduring sub-zero temperatures, suffocatingly thin air and frost bite almost to the point of losing limbs, the Barts conquered one of the most vicious, yet spectacular Seven Wonders of the World.

?¢‚Ǩ?ìRest days tended to be the hardest of our acclimatisation schedule,?¢‚Ǩ¬ù said Cheryl.
Not surprisingly, climbing the highest mountain in the world is not a straightforward process. The girls trekked through many-a Nepalese village, icy streams and terrain only seen in movies, and it wasn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t until day 10 that the Barts had even reached Everest Base Camp. At this stage Nicki had already come down with the flu and was battling stomach problems.

The correct gear and support is also imperative in a quest of this magnitude, as an incorrect choice can often be fatal. Global leader in outdoor footwear, apparel and equipment The North Face was proud to sponsor these adventure warriors, equipping them with the most technically advanced products on the market. Being the brand of choice for the world’s most accomplished climbers, mountaineers, extreme skiers, snowboarders and explorers, the Barts were confident they had given themselves the best chance at not only conquering the beast ahead, but surviving it!

Over the next 44 days, amongst the treacherous avalanches, piercing snow and debilitating moments, the girls knew they had to stay strong, healthy and eat well, as living at those altitudes day after day would wear them down. And, if nothing else, they needed enough energy to get to the top.
None of these challenges however were enough to stop this live-on-the-edge team achieve victory, and furthermore, in the most glorious ?¢‚ǨÀúlight?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ with their final wish the day before, to arrive at the summit during a spectacular, cloud-free sunrise.
The North Face has proudly sponsored the Barts throughout their journey in completing the Seven Summits. Providing everything from thermals to gloves, to sleeping bags, backpacks and the tent they slept in, the girls survived many-a gale force wind, snow storm, and some of the harshest forces of nature, taking home an experience of a life time!

For further information and daily blogs of the Bart?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s expedition, go to www.bigpondeverest.com/everest/dispatches/

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