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Is there any place in north carolina to get a base jumping class. I tried google but did not come up with any luck. I was hoping someone would be able to give me an idea of where In relation to eastern north carolina I could go.

There is no formal instruction available in Carolina. There are plenty of local jumpers, though, if you want to meet some.

The nearest place you are going to be able to get formal instruction is West Virginia, during Bridge Day.

With Morpheus (Florida) no longer offering instruction, the closest place you will be able to find a full class is Twin Falls, Idaho.

Hi Darin,

Although you can get a different slant by reading some of the stuff posted on this board, in my opinion and in general (because I don't you and there are exceptions) 50 jumps aren't enough to consider BASE jumping.

BASE hasn't yet (thank goodness) reached the point where you can crack open the yellow pages and pay to play. The first hurdle almost all past and future BASE jumpers overcome is finding other BASE jumpers, and then convincing those BASE jumpers that they are ready. Once you have a couple hundred skydives the commercial courses like Apex's, Johnny Utah's, and the free courses offered by Tom Aiello, will become available to you.

As a practical suggestion Bridge Day in West Virginia is a little more than a month away. I'd say drive or fly up there and spend the weekend. You'll be able to see more BASE jumps and talk to more BASE jumpers then anywhere else in a short of period of time. You could even volunteer to help out and this would help make the connections you need for later. Heck, after Bridge Day you may even decide BASE isn't your cup of tea . . .

Go here http://www.bridgeday.info/ for more info on Bridge Day, but also let me say this. The current rules for first time jumpers at the event stands at 50 jumps. I know that isn't jibing with what I said earlier but it’s a matter of understanding the history and nature of this unique event which is nothing like the rest of the sport.

NickD
BASE 194

Thanks Nick,


Well I was not planning on doing it anytime soon besides my military commitment does not allow me the time to travel to take these base schools. Of course I will keep that in mind and start looking for proactively once I leave the military which hopefully by then (1.9years) I should have a few more skydives under my belt.

Very cool, Brother . . . Beer, BASE videos, and free advice are all yours if you ever hit So Cal . . .

NickD
BASE 194

sweet I will be taking you up on that in about 2 years

Darren,
You're just counting the days until you get out, aren't ya?

Our DZ is a bit strange... there are a couple of very experienced BASE jumpers in the area, but they only skydive on rare occasion. I think that it's interesting to see all of the people at our DZ who are really interested in getting into BASE... I can think of 4 of us who have recently purchased gear and will be making our first jumps at bridge day. I'm going to try to take Tom's FJC at bridge day, and I know that others are considering it if they can make the time. I'm just not sure where myself and the rest of the noobs are going to go from there to find mentorship and continue learning in a safe, supervised and ethical manner... as I know this bas caused some controversy among NC jumpers in the past.

>>4 of us who have recently purchased gear and will be making our first jumps at bridge day.<

While it may not seem like it right now, the above is going to solve all your problems . . .

Enjoy . . .

NickD
BASE 194

This is actually very normal. The active BASE jumpers who are also active skydivers tend to be the exception, rather than the rule, in my experience. I think it's because few people have the time and energy to do a lot of both.

What's stopping you from approaching those jumpers, even if they're not skydiving a bunch? Calling someone up and asking them isn't very hard.

there is always a way. With almost anything in life, if you want it bad enough, you will find a way, to do what it takes, to get to where you can do what it is that you want...

Hey man,
Speaking from my own experience, I will highly encourage you to MAKE the time in your military commitment to take a BASE course... canopy experience being met, of course. I always told myself that as soon as I got out of the military I would start basejumping, what with not wanting to jeopardize my flying career... but after a rough deployment and not wanting to wait 5 more years, I said 'Screw it', took then-Vertigo's course, and it's changed my life immeasurably. Turns out the only limitation to me learning to basejump was self-imposed! Now I've made friends all over the world, been to places I never even considered before, and have found a passion that I want to sustain until I'm 70. As far as the military is concerned, just be discrete until you have some experience under your belt, then if anybody gives you grief, you can use the ol' "Don't worry, I've been doing this for a long time now" rationale. Good luck... it'll be worth it!
Richard
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well you do make a good point maybe next year summer time if I can pin someone down to go with me (eehhmm eric) I'll take some leave and make a trip to take the classes.

^I've been trying to find a way to get to Sweeden for the Herc Boogie next summer... I side trip to the fjords would of course be obligatory

Sweeden hmm... when next year? early....late?

Usually in the Northern Hemisphere summer. More.

If you want to jump at the Herc Boogie, you'll need to go hard between now and then. In 2004, the minimum was 300 non-student jumps for belly flyers.