Meet the regulars

Staff

Kay Carruthers

Jumps: 800

I'm one of the owners of Skydive North West and can often be found in the office or around the dropzone helping people get in to the air! I started skydiving in 1995 but never really got going with it properly until 2002 when I completed my AFF. Come pay us a visit, you'll have a great time!

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Stuart Morris

Age: 42, Jumps: 3500

I am one of the owners of Skydive North West. I'm mainly responsible for the health and safety of the dropzone and am involved with the day to day running of the centre. If you have any questions about what we do or skydiving in general, don't hesitate to come and find me.

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Mike Carruthers

Age: 44, Jumps: 4030

I am one of the owners of Skydive Northwest and can often be found piloting our awesome aircraft the PAC 750 XL, the largest and fastest climbing aircraft in the northwest. I'm one of the most experienced skydive pilots in the UK and love everything about skydiving and aviation. A bit of advise about skydiving for you," Just do it, if you don't like it, don`t do it again, simple "

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Dennis Buchanan - “menace”

Age: 54, Jumps: 3603

I hope I last another thirty years. Its been a great life.

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Steve Nolan - “Nogin”

Age: 56, Jumps: 3700

...a part of the furniture at Cark ! Jumped at Dropzones all over the country in my many years.... but this is the one for me ! If i'm not there it's because i'm away on holiday ! Won't be long. ...and don't give your reserve to Pete ! lol.

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Peter J Connor - “Unhinged”

Age: 47, Jumps: 2500

I dropped in to visit the North West parachute centre for a visit being a regular jumper somewhere else, that was 8 years ago. Great place, views, people, plane & vibe. Come & see us soon.

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John Howard

Age: 50, Jumps: 1900

I started skydiving in 1979 - when a girl I fancied set up a course for me. I love everything about the sport. The camaraderie and the social aspect. As a tandem master I've introduced hundreds of people to the sport myself and that's very satisfying.

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Steve Hankey - “Spanky/Von Spankhousen”

Age: 35, Jumps: 1300

when im not being a tandem worrier, whoops meant to say warrior! you'll find me spending my money Freeflying/tracking/Atmonauti or just anything that seems like fun!

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Steve Hankey - “Von Spankhousen/Spanky”

Age: 35, Jumps: 1300

14 years sheesh! no wonder i have grey hair these days! you'll recognise me as pretty much always the last person walking out to the plane, usually with a worried looking tandem student close by these days too, occassionally you may even see me freeflying with such notable stars as Denis le"Cark rock star" frog, "Joe the fighter", "the Rimmington posse" or every 5th friday after lent with a full moon, hight tide and no courtney on the DZ, fun jumping with "The Unhinged one"

Instructors

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Keith Luty

Age: 61, Jumps: 1500

Ive been a regular at Cark (Skydive Northwest) since 1993 and an Instructor for the last 7 years. Its a great place to unwind and have fun at the weekend.

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Helen Shaw - “Shawbags”

Age: 50, Jumps: 1400

Started at Cark as a student in 1988. Jumped all over the world and former member of the British team. I always come home to Cark, its one of the most scenic dropzones in the world. See ya there

Regulars

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Neil McLaren

Age: 45, Jumps: 1910

I've been around a lot of DZ's over the years but always find the folks at Cark to be the most friendly and welcoming and alsways willing to help you out. Good vibes in the air during the day and a great social scene in the evening (and sometimes later). I'm sometimes found making a mess of the rec room with smoke and lazers into the wee small hours but only if you ask nicely. If you want the BBQ marinade recipe just ask as well!! Come and join the squad in the biggest playground off the planet sometime soon.....

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David Rayson

Age: 29, Jumps: 600

this is a place where i find fun, people are awesome,the crack even better. you cant leave without a smile,proud to say my home dz.

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Nige Pay - “Cloudrider”

Age: 39, Jumps: 78

I've always jumped at NWPC since completing my AFF in Spain. The guys n gals at Cark are so accomodating and helpful. There's always a buzz and a hilarity is never far away. Gotta love those views too ! Little bit disturbed by the photo's of John & Lynn snoggin though. Come and play....

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Sarah Freakes

Age: 25, Jumps: 100

Cark is like my second home. I first turned up there knowing no-one and now its the place I have more friends than anywhere else. Oh yeah and the skydiving's pretty good too!!

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John Jenkins - “Groundrush”

Age: 38, Jumps: 157

OK so I have only jumped twice at Cark but I left feeling very welcome & can't wait to come back. I will return as soon as I find someone brave enough to help me get over my inability of packing my almost new zero-p canopy. Oh...... & pack my reserve :-)

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Karen Pickering

Age: 23, Jumps: 270

Cark is the freindliest dropzone I've been to, there are always people to help either with jumping or drinking! It will always be my home DZ!

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Liam Riley - “Spinner(by dennis)cci”

Age: 23, Jumps: 51

I have always wanted to become a skydiver ever since my 18th birthday. I had a tandem with Pete Connor. I was instantly hooked. I struggled to get money together to complete a course as I was an apprentice. But June this year ( 2009), I decided to follow in my mums footsteps and become a qualified skydiver, I started a R.A.P.S course, one of two ways to complete skydiving training! I was qualified at Cark week in August. I have sold my road bike to buy a parachute and have never looked back it is a fantastic sport. You will not find a more friendly club than NWPC.

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Cezary Krzyczkowski - “Cez”

Age: 27, Jumps: 50

I started RAPS course at Cark in November 2008 and few months later I was qualified. Since then I'm trying to visit NWPC every time I can. The atmosphere at Cark its just excellent, people are very friendly and everyone is willing to help you with progress. It will always be my home DZ.

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Phil Amuzu - “Freefallphil”

Age: 34, Jumps: 75

Started jumping around two years ago. Progressing at a slow but steady pace! Normally bring the clouds with me when at the DZ! Next goal: To start packing!

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Steve Steward - “Gunner or biscuit”

Age: 36, Jumps: 130

Ive been to a few dropzones over the past 12 months and non are as friendly and beautiful as cark ! all the staff, jumpers and friends really make you feel at home . No wonder it is well known in the skydiving world as one of the friendly dropzones in Britain. See you there !!

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Tony Spruce - “Sprucey”

Age: 50, Jumps: 1700

I've been jumping for 21 years. I started in 1986 on a Static Line Course and have been involved in many different teams since then. I like coming to Skydive North West as it's like having “one big family”! The views are great and it's a nice play to get away to.

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John Hargreaves

Jumps: 300

I've not jumped for a while but still enjoy the atmosphere and vibe at the parachute centre. A girl I knew made a sponsored skydive to raise money for a cancer charity and this made me and a friend think - we can do it to! I like the centre, the people you meet there and helping out with the plane.

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Kate Hayes

Jumps: 150

My dad and brother have always skydived so it's always been a normal thing growing up. I love everything about the sport, the views from the air are amazing, the friendships you make, it's just great. I've recently got involved in getting lots of student friends to come and try out skydiving - with a lot of success.

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Fraser Dootson

Age: 26, Jumps: 16

Skydiving is something that ive always wanted to do, so I decided to do AFF in August this year with Ian and Kieron. Since day one at NWPC ive been made to feel very welcome and its been one of the best experiences of my life so far. Strongly reccommended :-)

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James Batchelor - “cloudy”

Age: 30, Jumps: 250

I first start skydiving when I was 18 - after having watched Dropzone at the cinema. Literally the following day I went and did a static line course and then moved over to AFF. After becoming self-employed I didn't jump for several years and then got back in to it a couple of years ago big style. Skydive North West is a great place to jump and I would recommend it to anyone. Fantastic views in the air on the ground. PS ... If you want a good deal on tunnel time give me a shout!!

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Dorothy Riley - “Dot”

Age: 53, Jumps: 26

My Husband Dave and Children Naomi and Liam bought me a tandem for my 50th birthday as I wanted to do something memorable!!!! WOW - they couldn't have given me anything better what a BUZZZZZZ!! Liam had a tandem on the same day for his 18th birthday present so it was a brilliant day. I was hooked immediately and enrolled on an AFFcourse and with the help of Skydive North West's brilliant instructors managed all my levels in 9 jumps.

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Gary Hall - “Hall of Fame”

Jumps: 108

I completed my AFF with Ian and Kieron and never looked back! I don't know why I wanted to skydive - I suppose it was just one of those things I always wanted to try. Skydive North West is such a friendly place, I went to other skydiving centres but none were as welcoming as right here!