AT JUST seven years-old, Emma Swiers jumped from an aeroplane flying at 9,000ft, which may make her the youngest-ever skydiver – but that's not all!

The plucky Yorkley schoolgirl, who is now 10 years-old, has also been snorkelling with turtles in the Indian Ocean, white-water rafting, trekking, abseiling and, to cap it all, enjoyed a picnic on top of Symonds Yat rock pinnacle.

"She has been hill-walking since birth (first in a baby back-pack then under her own steam) and rock climbing and abseiling since she was three or four years of age," said her mother Carol.

"In 2005 when she was six she went snorkelling with turtles, wrasse and rays.

"In 2006 we went to New Zealand, a few weeks after Emma's seventh birthday. As we were driving up through the North Island, Emma saw some skydivers jumping over Lake Taupo and asked if she could do that.

"We went to the Skydiving School and she was allowed to do a tandem jump. I went with her and jumped from the same plane. She was the youngest ever customer but the instructors were happy that she was confident and relaxed enough to go through with it.

"It was a professional outfit and we were more than satisfied with the set up, equipment and staff. The jump was from 9000ft and she was the last one down. It was high enough to see the curvature of the earth on the horizon."

While in New Zealand Emma did some white water rafting and trekking and when she was eight she went scuba-diving in the Maldives.

"In 2007 we climbed the pinnacle at Symonds Yat and had breakfast on the top. She named it 'extreme picnicking'," said her mum.

"Next month we are off to Nepal. We have got some trekking in the Himalayas planned, a safari and a rafting trip down the Seti river. 

"We have always encouraged Emma to try new things and not to be afraid of new experiences. There are things in life which have risks attached to them but they can still be enjoyed safely with proper instruction and equipment. 

"From all her experiences and opportunities Emma believes she can do anything she wants and is a very happy and confident girl. We are very proud of her."