Bindi Irwin is extremely proud of her boyfriend for successfully doing her dad's signature 'croc jump'
It seems Australian celebrity Bindi Irwin’s boyfriend, Chandler Powell, has passed the family test with flying colours.
The 19-year-old wakeboarder took to Instagram to share his first successful “croc jump,” a capture technique created by Bindi’s late father, Steve Irwin. The move, which Chandler claims is still used today to ensure the safety of the crocodile and the people catching it, entails a person putting his body weight on the animal, holding its head and attaching a tracking device on it.
“Completed my first head jump yesterday on Madison the croc,” Chandler wrote along with a photo of a massive reptile. “Definitely one of the most thrilling experiences! @australiazoo has the best and most experienced croc team in the world, thanks for letting me be a part of it and showing me the ropes (literally).”
In another photo, he posted, “Cannot describe how excited I am to have jumped my first saltwater crocodile.” It showed him on top of a nine-foot creature named Stanley. “Blessed to be a part of this awesome work.” A series of images also featured him as a part of the team capturing Big Dunc, a 15-foot crocodile, considered to be the largest being tracked in the Wenlock River.
Describing it as the most amazing feeling in the world, Chandler seemed eager for more experiences like it. He also shared a photo of him with his girlfriend as he thanked her for introducing him to this kind of adventure. “Thank you @bindisueirwin showing me some of the most gorgeous places in Australia and for letting me jump crocs with you,” Chandler penned. “After such an amazing adventure I can't imagine what is to come in the future .”
Bindi, on the other hand, could not help but express how proud she is for her boyfriend. The “Dancing with the Stars” Season 21 winner posted the same photo with a crocodile they named Madison on her personal Instagram account. “I was so excited that my amazing boyfriend was given the opportunity of taking the head on the jump team,” she wrote. “To see @ChandlerPowell in khaki as such an integral part of the team was really wonderful. I feel extremely blessed to have someone in my life who is so passionate about wildlife and conservation.” She ended the post with the hashtag #ProudGirlfriend.
Bindi, who recently turned 18 years old, met Chandler back in 2013 when he visited Australia Zoo, on a competition tour. The two stayed in touch and soon enough, their friendship blossomed into a full-blown romance.
