Bio
New Zealand’s own John “Chuck” Berry is, it seems, the embodiment of science, creativity and adventure. He might share the family name with the man who disputably invented rock and roll, but this Chuck is no slouch when it comes to making a big noise either - only this Kiwi does it with wings! To date, John “Chuck” Berry’s biggest stunts have included the world’s first wingsuit skydive across Yokohama Harbour in Japan in 2006, and the utterly crazy but brilliant feat of becoming the first person in the world to skydive using just a tent in 2007.
In 2009, he mastered yet another challenge when he jumped the previously-unbeaten Terror Peak - a 1400m (4600ft) granite pillar in the Southern Alps of his homeland’s South Island. Chuck has completed over 4,000 skydives during his tumultuous career, which has included stints as a high altitude camera operator, and a professional stunt man. It’s as though he cannot live without altitude, adrenaline and action!
An aircraft engineer by profession, Chuck knows all about the science involved in what he does. But ultimately, he reckons the ultimate kick is being able to be involved in an activity in which “your livelihood rests on faith in yourself, confidence to perform and lightning reflexes to make critical decisions and act accordingly to keep oneself alive”.
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