Basejumper.com - archive

Hey all, Looking to get an idea of the average age of base jumpers. I dont see many base jumpers in the 40"s range and was curious to see just how many are on the middle spectrum of life. I still skysurf, freefly and love tracking dives and are in the 40's but thats just me. I wakeboard and surf and see that at the dropzone, 40's is quiet common. But usally they are into Rw or in surfing they are longboarding or skiing they are saloming. You see Guys like Laird Hamilton destroying Big wave Surfing In his 40's so who in Base jumping, in there 40's, is tearing it up?

I'm closing in on 47 next month, started BASE when I was 36.

I'm going to hit 40 on the 17th. Can't say I'm particularly thrilled about it, but there's no magical dividing line that forces you to stop living or doing the things you enjoy.

I BASE jump a fair amount. Don't skydive much, but when I do I pretty much exclusively freefly and swoop my FX (when I'm current). I'm certified to scuba dive, but the diving isn't so hot where I live so I haven't done it in a few years.

I'd like to start doing some more rock climbing & camping/hiking as well.

The hardest part about getting older is that you have to work harder to stay in good shape to do these sorts of things. You can't drink a zillion beers, eat like a horse and still stay in good shape like you could when you were 25.

I don't plan on slowing down any. I do plan on stepping up at bit more with exercise and eating better to sustain the momentum.

Oh, and the other hard part about turning 40? It's really REALLY hard to find a companion who tolerates my hobbies.

Hey Zennie, Well put....I feel the same way... You have to work much harder at than at 25. Ii feel as if i am also kicking up a bit....My thoughts on this survey is to ask seasoned Base jumpers about how ,if and any changes they feel as they get older about base jumping. I guess to narrow it down is to say it takes allot more awareness and thought process that has to tick like a well oiled machine ,to make these split secound decisions. Its not at all like any skydiving i have done and seems as free and mind awaking as anything i have seen. Doing a 51 second flight in Italy or Neitherlands at least one time, is on my 10 things i do before i die list.... "A side from a three way with Japanese twins".... "A little Austin Powers Humor"....

I'm turning 39 in August. I still make those youngsters huff and puff on those tower climbs. The fastest climber and hiker I know is around 42. Go Bob!

Chicks dig gray hair.

The average age for a jumper at Bridge Day was 36 in 2003 and 2004. Both years had about 12% female jumpers. This info should help ya.....cya.

If I get my first BASE jump before bridge day it will be 21 if I have to wait until bridge day I will be 22.

I'm 20. Bridge day will be my first

Started Base When i was 24 gunna be 26 next month hopefully i will last till im 40.....most of our crew is in the 30ish range (21-42ish) there is almost 20 of us

cya
Sky

Woah Ted*e*ted! I thought you were 38! hmm.. must have lost a year somewhere in there. So are we gonna have a b-day jumping fest? I'll be 26 on the 23rd!

Started when I was 21 I'm now 37 and in the twilight of my career

 

im going to forget so happy before bday mate

yeah i already feel that.. just ask mac i still eat alot and drink alot but im also only 28

try shave your balls the girls like it

By the way as your old you should find a younger girl that you can play a "father" to,i know a few guys doing thatOfcourse you´ll have to drink a fair amount of beers and eat like a cow,but im sure you can do it..

by the way i didnt see your vid yet(Cyperspace kick in the arse to DexterBASE,as he is malking a pack for me whith stuff),but im looking forward to see "the old fart in action"

Tom A is younger??

reading his posts i can bet he have 100 years of experience

Tom A is over 30, I think 32. Don't kill me if I'm wrong Tom

Thijs

You are correct.

Abbie was posting from my house, in the middle of a party. That post probably isn't one that should be taken too seriously.

Ill be 40 sept 28th of this year. Time flies really fast. Fortunately gravity is stronger.

1st BASE jumps at 19.

I started BASE jumping when I was 18. I'm 31 now, but I guess you could say I feel like I'm 40.

The biggest thing I have noticed is how I keep upsizing in canopies. I think it comes from 1) I'm getting older and (perhaps) smarter and, 2) Well... I haven't been getting any lighter. I started with a 220 sq. ft. Cruislite (which was my first skydiving canopy) and I just ordered a 322 sq. ft. canopy.

Mark

First jump when I was 20, I now am 21.

started BASE at 20. now i'm 33, but still feel like i'm 20. ;)

Started BASE at 40. Now I'm 41, but I still feel like I'm 20-something.

Uh...

What does 40 feel like?

I had an illness that went untreated in my teens, 20s and 30s, so I feel better at 47 than I did at 17.

For the record, I made my first skydive immediately after my 37th birthday, and my first of five bridge jumps when I was 39 1/2.

rl

I guess I'm the old man in the group.

I turned 53 in January this year.

Only made 10 base jumps last year.

I'm also still doing tandems, wingsuits and speed jumps.

But it is getting harder.

Started when I was 19, now 23, but feel like I'm 100...three brain surgeries last year that brought jumping to a sudden halt, with a fourth brain surgery next month. My future in BASE depends on next month, and I feel like a REALLY old man with BASE depending on the very-near and uncertain future.

Hey guy, i hope all goes well with you and thanks for the post.

I wish you all the best and health.....

Many wishes for a speedy recovery!
Jen
ps. your old odyssey has been having lots of fun with me!

Hey, thanks you two!! Hopefully my health will one day allow me to join you again in the wonderful world of BASE!!

And Jen, glad to hear that my Odyssey is doing you well...she sure left me with many great memories!!!!

 

I think you do a lot of things you don't remember when you get that drunk.

Hi Trucker - you should set up BOPS. Base jumpers over Phorty Society. I'll be glad to join if I get that far.

Hi Deadwood

We have a guy in Oz who is near your age. He got a new Fox 285 last year and has been cranking out the jumps. He hikes faster than most of us, does jumps that are just as, if not more than complex than the average jumper.

He is an awesome guy, a legend in the sport, a unique personality, a pioneer, and he still thinks he is 24 yo.

Keep up the good work Pete!!

Thanks.

Gee, I'll have to have you help me get my lap rating.

Hey dude,
I'm 44, and started jumping at 19. I started BASE at 22. I love to sitfly/freefly, and BASE. I kind of grew board with flatflying, although I still go on a flatfly occasionally. BASE is now my favorite parachuting activity, However, BASE and skydiving have kept me young at heart.
321CYA
Sitflybaseboy

Yep yep.

For example, I'll bet he doesn't remember us throwing darts at his butt or making him run around the block in his underwear singing "I'm A Little Teapot".

That was funny!!! I'm glad someone was sober enough to remember that.

Hey TVPB, Ill have you know I am not 40...Im 20...with 20 years experience at it. Or Im 25 with 15 years experience...or...AW CRAP! . BOPS! Are ya kidding...

A friend of mine, very experienced base-jumper who's 30 himself took his father to a basejump last year. So that 57 years old man got his first PCA as a birhtday gift from his son.
And did another couple of jumps a week later.
And he's got the experience of 5000 skydives.


I also know a couple of super nice guys who are 38-40... years old and jumping pretty active.

The youngest jumper whom i know made his first base when he was 16.

i made my first BASE when i was 19.

Thanks lee846, i saw your base videos and they are very cool... they inspire me....jump safe and well....


chris

Hey Pete, glad to hear i am not the only over 40 year old who cant grow up. Just for the record, 1st skysurf jump at 38 years old....and freeflying wiih philipe Volud in early 95 at 36....

I refuse to ever grow up......

41.But I still out climb everyone on the A.Young un's seem soft.

Less than two weeks short of 41 when I made my first BASE jump on March 20, 2005.

I just keep picturing Rick reading this thread and laughing his ass off...

first jump - BD 2003 - 23 years old.

25 now ...

 
AWESOME first jump at BD 04 @ 21... still 21
(I was later known as the screamer)

ordered a Gargoyle and FLiK Vtec for the next one...

I made my first skydive at 35 and my first BASE jump at 38. And now I've come to realize that life truly begins at 40. Maybe that's just blowing smoke up my own skirt, but honestly, I've never felt more alive, in touch, and excited with life!

Peace,
K

I with you. My 40s have been good to me so far.

wooohoo only 12 years untill my life starts to get fun

Sweet! Only 20 more years for me until life starts, the last few have been pretty incredible too...


Most of the jumpers around here are somewhere between their mid-20's and late 30's.