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OUR TEAM
Gord Gauvin
Owner/Operator of Skydive Vancouver Island
Gord is the owner of Skydive Vancouver Island and ready to greet you with his infectious positive personality! With over 28 years experience in the sport, Gord has accomplished over 3800 skydives. Being a Tandem Instructor has become his favorite part of skydiving! Seeing the excitement and happiness from a person doing their first jump makes every day working awesome! He has been a part of the Canadian Sport Parachuting Association Board of Directors since 2012. Gord has lived on Vancouver Island since 2013 and loves sharing the magnificent views and experience that Skydive Vancouver Island has to offer!
Ben
Tandem & PFF Instructor at Skydive Vancouver Island
Joining the Skydive Vancouver Island Team in 2021, Ben is no stranger to the sky with over 6,000 skydives. He has brought smiles to first time jumpers from one coast of Canada to the other and even spent time in Australia where he found his second love ~ surfing! Ben's favorite part of the skydive is canopy piloting, whether he is showing his tandem passengers the stunning coastlines while soaring under canopy or helping develop students and experienced sport jumpers canopy skills. One thing Ben knows for sure is that Vancouver Island is awesome and he can't wait to explore more of it!
Wade
Tandem & PFF Instructor at Skydive Vancouver Island
Beginning his skydive adventure in 2008, Wade quickly fell in love with the sport and most of all the community of skydivers. He has not only accumulated over 1700 jumps since then, Wade has also become an accomplished Tandem Instructor, Progressive FreeFall Instructor, and Coach, in turn helping many new students and progressing experienced skydivers achieve their goals. Wade’s favorite part of the sport today is the people and he is always ready to greet you with a huge smile!
Emmet
Tandem & PFF Instructor at Skydive Vancouver Island
Emmet started skydiving in 2000 and fell in love with the sport instantly. Not only has he become a leading Tandem Instructor, Tunnel Instructor, and Industry Coach, Emmet has been competitive in the sport. He holds several medals in a variety of skydiving disciplines. In 2015 Emmet was a part of the 164 way vertical (head down) World Record which is an accomplishment demonstrating Emmet's insane skydiving skills! One of Emmet's favorite aspects of skydiving is the freefall and he enjoys teaching new skills to sport jumpers looking to enhance their own skills in the sky!
Brian
Tandem & PFF Instructor & Rigger at Skydive Vancouver Island
Brian has been skydiving for over 27 years and spent a year jumping with the Skyhawks (Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team). When Brian is not taking a tandem student for their first jump, teaching new students as a PFF Instructor, or working with more experienced sport jumpers, he can be found in the weeds of it all as a CSPA Rigger B (the equipment expert)! When Brian is asked how many jumps he has done his answer is always, "Not Enough". He loves that in skydiving you are never too experienced to learn something new. Brian is an overall accomplished skydiver with a passion for wingsuiting and teaching others.
Pete
Chief Skydive Instructor & SSE at Skydive Vancouver Island
Having over 2300 skydives, Pete, better known as Parachute Pete, is most famous for his crazy pants and smoke shows, bringing a whole new level to Vancouver Island events as a demonstration skydive specialist. When Pete is not making crowds hoot and holler with excitement, he brings the same level of excitement to students learning to skydive as a Progressive Freefall Instructor at Skydive Vancouver Island. His vibrant personality and dedication to those new to the sport, sets up our students for success in their skydiving progression. Pete's most honored achievement in the sport was being one of the skydivers participating in the D-Day 75th Anniversary Parachute Jump, in Normandy France.
Ken
Skydive School Instructor at Skydive Vancouver Island
Having retired from skydiving in 2018, Ken's knowledge and passion for the sport continues to be an integral part of Skydive Vancouver Island. His personal experience in the sport, personally and professionally in the British Armed Forces, has provided Ken the opportunity to be a mentor to many sport jumpers throughout the years. When Ken isn't teaching our new and upcoming skydive students, you will find him chatting with customers. No matter what Ken is doing, his passion for skydiving shines through in every aspect while supporting the Skydive Vancouver Island team.
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Niki
Rigger & Parachute Packer at Skydive Vancouver Island
Niki has wanted to play in the sky since her teacher busted out that big round play parachute in kindergarten. She moved to the island in 2020 to live her dream of being a nylon compression technician (glorified parachute packer). Joining the Skydive Vancouver Island Team in 2022, she quickly was immersed to life at the dropzone. Niki also loves skydiving with her passion in artistic freestyle. With over 11 years of packing and 6 years of rigging experience she loves to keep you safe in the sky! She is also a self proclaimed packing matt DJ providing the best tunes at the dropzone!
Erwin
Chief Pilot at Skydive Vancouver Island
Erwin began flying planes in 2009 and has been with the Skydive Vancouver Island Team since 2018. Over 2000 hours of flying time, Erwin has loved flying skydivers over the stunning views here at the dropzone. It didn't take long for Erwin to want to start jumping from the planes and since getting his skydiving license in 2019, he has completed over 200 jumps. His favorite aspect of skydiving is getting the speed on a solid angle or track jump. Although skydiving has become one of his favorite activities, Erwin's first passion is flying the plane and mentoring our team of pilots.
Andreas
Cessna 182 Pilot at Skydive Vancouver Island
Fluent in English, Swiss and German, Andreas moved to Canada in 1997 from Switzerland. He has had a passion for airplanes and flying for as long as he can remember. As a little boy, he kept on looking up to the sky every time he heard or saw an airplane go by and always dreamed one day becoming a Pilot. In 2004 that dream became a reality when he earned his PPL and shortly after in 2006, his CPL. For the past 20 years, he's been flying for pleasure only and shared his love of flying with family and friends. It’s a dream that is long overdue to finally earn an income doing what he loves. Andreas hopes to never “have to work” another day in my life because he get to Fly! He is so excited to take you up on your skydiving adventure!
Shari
Cessna 206 Pilot at Skydive Vancouver Island
Shari has always had a passion for flying. She began her flight training in 1999 but unfortunately at that time was unable to fulfill her dream....but she knew she'd be back! She then pursued a successful career in real estate but always felt the calling to resume her flying career. Now, 2 decades later she is back where she belongs and is eagerly awaiting the skydive season! She looks forward to being a part of the SVI family and a part of your unforgettable experience!
Chris
Videographer and Coach 1 at Skydive Vancouver Island
Chris joined the team at Skydive Vancouver Island when he packed up his home in Ontario and headed west in 2018. It was the best decision he made and since has fallen in love with everything the Island has to offer, including our epic skydiving centre he now calls his home away from home! As a videographer for our Tandem Skydives, he loves capturing those once in a lifetime moments first time passengers are experiencing. From the smiles, the screams, to the look of pure joy, Chris is there and ready to capture it all.
Bryan
Videographer, Coach 2 & GCI at Skydive Vancouver Island
Bryan is the Go-To guy for coaching at Skydive Vancouver Island and has been in the sport since 2015. Helping our skydivers progress in the sport through signing off on licensing, coaching jumps, teaching packing, and helping with ground control navigating our students safely to the ground. His patience and clear, concise instruction is greatly appreciated and he is always willing and eager to help those wanting to progress in our great sport. Bryan's favorite part of skydiving is seeing others progress through new skills.
Jen
Videographer & Coach 2 at Skydive Vancouver Island
Jen lives for adventure, so it was no surprise that after her first skydive in 2016 she was hooked! Having over 1000 skydives, Jen most enjoys the freedom of freefall and the ability to maneuver through the air. She was a member of the Skyhawks, our Canadian Armed Forces Military Parachute Demonstration Team. Development in the sport is a key area of focus for Jen and when she is not strengthening her own skills, she loves helping others identify and reach their skydiving goals. When you see Jen hanging on the plane strut ready to film a Tandem Skydive, you can guarantee she is excited and stoked to capture that epic shot!
Monica
Videographer & Coach 1 at Skydive Vancouver Island
Although Monica's first love is her four-legged kids, skydiving has added a whole new dynamic to her life. Taking her first skydive in 2017, she didn't imagine how life changing the experience would be. More than 800 jumps later, Monica's progression in the sport is amazing to witness. Monica provides a calm and steady approach to learning that is valued by every novice student she works with. She is known for her hilarious antics under canopy and also works behind the scenes promoting Skydive Vancouver Island on Social Media.
Tom
Videographer & Coach 1 at Skydive Vancouver Island
In 2015, Tom came out to Skydive Vancouver Island and experienced his first Tandem Skydive. It was an experience that, unknowingly to him at the time, would begin his skydiving journey! Since then he has completed over 900 skydives and loves expanding his skill level in freefall. Tom's favorite part of being a videographer for our Tandem Skydives, is that moment exiting the plane and seeing the fear shift to absolute amazement. Adding a new level of awesome to the adventure through his video of someone's first skydive, is what Tom strives for each time.
Ashley
Coach 1 at Skydive Vancouver Island
In 2020, Ashley came out to Skydive Vancouver Island as a newly CSPA Certified Skydiver. She dedicated her time and began to excel in her skydiving skills in the air and under canopy! Since then she has completed over 300 skydives and loves sharing her passion with new individuals in our sport. Ashley's favorite part of being a coach is that moment when a new skill is accomplishment by a novice skydiver and the excitement in their achievement. Ashley continues to develop her own skills in the air and on the ground as she mentors others in their journey!
Allison
Manifest at Skydive Vancouver Island
When you need to get things done at the dropzone, Allison is the one to seek out! If you don't see her when you arrive at Manifest to check-in, you will find her helping customers, updating our Social Media platforms, or organizing our Skydive Vancouver Island Team. Allison has over 150 skydives logged but her true love for the sport is creating an environment and experience for first time jumpers, students, and experienced sport jumpers that is incomparable to any other. As a member of the CSPA Technical & Safety Committee and the Chair for the CSPA Women's Initiative Committee, Allison finds passion in promoting an atmosphere of learning and development in the sport at all levels.
Sabrina
Support Staff at Skydive Vancouver Island
Sabrina came out to Vancouver Island in 2021 and immediately knew this was the place for her! Spending much time around the dropzone, Sabrina not only loved the atmosphere, she found herself drawn to the energy that comes with skydiving. As an individual who spends much of her time exploring nature be in hiking mountains or backcountry skiing, Sabrina is excited to join the Skydive Vancouver Island team and continue her Island adventures! S
Erika
UPT Sigma/Vector Tandem Examiner & Coach
Erika made her start as a skydiver in 2005 on Vancouver Island. She went on to become a tandem instructor in 2008 and attended the tandem examiner course in 2010. Erika has since produced countless tandem instructors world-wide. When Erika is not doing or teaching tandems, her preferred discipline is canopy piloting. Erika is an integral part of our Skydive Vancouver Island team sharing her passion about canopy flight and the importance of good canopy skills to students, experienced jumpers and tandem instructors alike. She is committed to teaching and empowering skydivers to take charge of safety in the sport.
John
Skydive Vancouver Island Flight-1 Canopy Course Facilitator
With over 22,000 skydives in the last 24 years, John has learnt from the school of hard knocks throughout his professional career in the skydiving world. Currently, an Instructor with Flight-1, John has become an integral part of our team at Skydive Vancouver Island facilitating several Flight-1 Canopy courses throughout our season. He is an accomplished member of the Canadian National Canopy Piloting Team with several team and individual wins throughout the years. Having a passion for canopy piloting, John brings this enthusiasm to hundreds of skydivers each year from all skill levels.
Tyler
Skydive Vancouver Island Sponsored Athlete
As an avid surfer, snowboarder, and all round outdoor enthusiast, it came as no surprise for Tyler to find a whole new level of adventure in skydiving! With over 600 jumps since starting in 2014, Tyler quickly found a love for the sky and more recently the awesome feeling he gets when he sets flight out of the plane in a wingsuit! Although skydiving is a big part of his life, he has shifted gears and is now a member of the Canadian Para Snowboarding Team. Achieving a Gold medal in Snowboard Cross LL1 and a Bronze medal in Snowboard Banked Slalom LL1 for Canada at the 2022 Paralympics in Beijing, Tyler is taking the world by storm and we are blessed to support his journey!
Jack
Skydive Vancouver Island Mascot
There isn't a day that Jack doesn't love hanging out at the dropzone ready to play with humans and dogs alike! Joining the team in 2021, Jack has become accustomed to seeing parachutes soar around the sky above and the excitement as people holler with joy. His energy is never ending but when he is not at the dropzone, Jack can be found lounging at home snoring away getting ready for the next day!
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