Skydive launches Blue September 2024

“Loved every minute of it,” was Robbie Close’s summation of his first ever skydive after he jumped from 18,000 feet in Auckland earlier this week.

Close and fellow harness racing drivers Blair Orange and Jonny Cox, who are all Blue September ambassadors, did the jump on Monday to help raise awareness about the campaign. A story on their exploits is expected to be aired on 3 News tonight.

Blue September, which raises funds for the New Zealand Prostate Cancer Foundation, starts at Ashburton on Sunday. There are 12 ambassadors involved, with money raised every time they win a race during the month.

Close has been a long-time supporter of Blue September, and thanks to a number of sponsors who support him, has raised $1000s over the years for the cause.

But jumping out of a plane and hitting terminal velocity was all new.

“It’s the greatest feeling,” says Close, “the freefall went for 75 seconds and you hit 200 ks an hour. I was trying to smile but it’s hard to keep your face together!”

Close says he always felt “safe” during the tandem flight and was surprised at just how exhilarating the whole experience was.

“It was an adrenaline rush but probably more than I thought … I loved every minute of it.”

So would he recommend it to others?

“Absolutely, if you get a chance go for it!”

As well as the coverage on 3 News the skydive will also be on the stuff website with video on the hrnz website site and social media channels later in the week.

Both Close and Orange drove at Cambridge’s weekly Tuesday meeting last night with Orange winning the Off The Track Food and Bev Mobile Pace with the Tate Hopkins-trained Steel Ledger.

The 12 Blue September ambassadors this year are :

Benjamin Butcher
Blair Orange
Dylan Ferguson
Henry Sail
Jonny Cox
Matty Williamson
Nathan Williamson
Robbie Close
Rory McIlwrick
Sam Thornley
Tony Cameron
Zev Meredith

From Harness Racing New Zealand