Fatherhood at 15,000 Feet: The Dads Behind Skydive Geronimo
For most people, going to work means sitting at a desk, driving to the office or worksite, and clocking in for another day.
It usually involves flying an aircraft over the glorious Rottnest Island. Climbing to 15,000 feet. Opening the door. And jumping out.
For the dads at Skydive Geronimo, the office can look a little different. Especially for one of the dads at the heart of Skydive Geronimo, our Owner, Chief Instructor, Pilot and Tandem Instructor, Glenn Stutt.
Skydiving is undoubtedly an adventurous way to make a living. It’s exciting, rewarding and, for many of the people who work in the industry, something they would NEVER trade in for a ‘regular’ job.
For Glenn, skydiving isn’t just a job. It’s a way of life.
From flying, to training, to taking first-timers for a jump, Glenn has spent years building a career in the skydiving industry. But outside the drop zone, one of his most important roles in life, is being a dad.
Glenn: “The office is at 15,000 feet.”
As the owner of Skydive Geronimo, Glenn wears plenty of hats.
Skydiver. Tandem instructor. Pilot. Chief Instructor. Drop Zone Owner.
But one role sits outside the drop zone entirely: being Dad.
His son has spent much of his life around the skydiving world, hanging around drop zones, chatting with the team, watching the action, and occasionally getting to experience life from the aircraft.
So, when the opportunity finally came for Glenn to share his world with his son in a completely new way, it became a pretty special family milestone.
What was it like taking your own child skydiving?
“While every tandem skydive is unique and fun, it was extra special taking my son for his first tandem skydive over Rottnest.”
For Glenn, it wasn’t simply another day at work.
It was the chance to share something that has shaped so much of his own life with his son.
“He had spent much of his childhood hanging around drop zones, chatting to the team, and taking the occasional ride in the airplane. So it felt like a big milestone for him to finally experience the family business in this way.”
What was going through your mind before the jump?
Apparently, there was still time for some classic dad humour.
“Before I opened the plane door, I jokingly told him that he couldn’t complain about doing the dishes anymore. He would owe me big time once I saved his life!”
What do you remember most about the experience?
“We had his Mum, grandparents and cousins all on the island to watch him skydive. It was a fun day on the island.”
And what did your son say after the jump?
“That was so scary! I love it!”
Honestly, everyone from the team knew he would love it!
For Glenn, sharing his work with his son was something special.
“Anytime you can show your kid what you do during your workday, it’s a fun experience. It’s a bit like ‘bring your kid to work day’, except the office is at 15,000 feet.”
To the dads teaching their kids to dream big, embrace adventure and live life to the fullest.
From the Skydive Geronimo family. Happy Father’s Day!
Thinking about sharing an adventure with Dad?
Father’s Day is also a reminder that some of the best memories aren’t things you can wrap. Whether it’s Father’s Day, a birthday, Christmas or simply a day out with someone you love, sharing an adventure can become a story you talk about for years.
Check out our gift vouchers and give Dad the chance to take the ultimate leap over Rottnest Island.
View all Skydive Geronimo Gift Voucher options here
Glenn is a successful Skydive Instructor who’s successfully turned his lifelong passion into an award-winning adventure tourism business. His love for the thrill of the jump began over three decades ago in Matamata, New Zealand. 20,000+ jumps later and with the highest Australian Chief Instructor / Instructor A ratings under his belt, he and his wife, Amy, dedicate their lives to running the Western Australian-based Skydive Geronimo, the only company licensed to provide tandem jumps over one of the pearls of the Indian Ocean, Rottnest Island.
Glenn works tirelessly in all aspects of the business – from student and instructor training through to equipment safety, PR, Australian Parachute Federation (APF) and Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) compliance and everything in between. He also delivers education sessions to local pilots about skydiving operations in Perth and the surrounding area.
