Basejumper.com - archive

So I gotta share this picture Blondie took over the weekend.

Here's the predicate:

My daughter (she's 4) watched me jump this weekend for the first time. She's seen me skydive plenty, but she had a little trouble wrapping her cute little head around daddy jumping off the great big bridge.

It absolutely crushed me, but she had to conquer her fear. She was fine after the first one - thought it was cool.

See that face? Look forward to that all you new daddies!

reason number 923 to not have kids.

that picture is classic

Since you posted it, with all due respect and I realize it's your call, but;

Don't you think it's a little early for her to see you jump off a bridge? I'm not saying you should leave your kids in the dark about anything, but I feel like this is pushing it a bit. First of all, I doubt whether a 4 year old brain can compute the concept of basejumping being fun instead of dangerous. (Edit: scratch that, apparently it can) Also, figuratively speaking, you might as well strap her to your harnass, cause if something should go wrong (touchwood etc), she's gonna be seriously traumatized. Of couse that's also the case for the older kid.

Just a thought.

That's interesting, because when I looked at the picture I was thinking exactly the opposite -- it surprises me a little that a kid whose parents were excited about the jump would be so scared of the same thing.

You're complicating my perfect world, ParaFrog!

I was waiting for the flames (Calvin always whines - figured that out before I ever started BASE)

Trust me, it was considered long and hard, but I choose not to shelter my children from what I do.

I get shot at for a living, the last thing I want is for my children to let any fear conquer them.

Now she screams and shouts and BEGS me to do it again.

Would it be better for me to have conceded to her fears and thus let her harbor anxiety about it forever? I think not, but I respect your opinion.

Flame on...

You're in the best position to consider the matter.

Also: I wouldn't call my post a flame. It's not like I'm judging your parental skills or something. Just don't get too low (or shot)

i do whine to much...

I think its good not shelter your kids from anything.

I was just speaking for me. I just have no desire at all to raise children of my own, and thats a good thing.

agreed :-P

Agreed as well. I mean guys..come on.. could you imagine little calvins running around???

I think the picture is priceless. Frame it and show it to her when she grows up. :-)

Do you have kids of your own?

I do, I have a 6 year old boy and it's a dilemma for me. Do I continue risking my life for my own gratification or do I shape up and become a more responsible parent?

I didn't know him and I say this with the greatest respect but I sometimes think of Lukas and the beautiful kids he left behind.

As I said it's a dilemma, at least for me.

John

I have a 6 and 7 y/o girls. I don't BASE because of them.
I had to realize that after they were born, "It was all about them". I have to take a back seat for awhile.

I take my kids to the DZ and to various exit points. I worry a little about the possibilities of a horrific experience, but then I'll have to deal with that. My son was with me when I did my FJC and he really enjoyed it. He was three. He yelled "Good one daddy" from the time my feet left the bridge until I landed in the main landing area. Walking out on the bridge he couldn't understand why he didn't have a rig on. Miles came out on the bridge to do an unpacked jumps and my son told him he couldn't jump like that. When Miles asked why he said "Because your not packed!"

He was at BD with when I broke my leg on the other bridge, but he did not see the jump. He did visit me in the hospital and didn't seem too upset about the whole ordeal. When I asked if he wanted to see where I was hurt he said Yes. When I showed him he turned away and told me "I knew it was going to look like that." I went to the bridge recently for my first jumps back and when I got home he told me that he told mommy I wouldn't break my leg again...

I have a friend with cancer that probably won't be around much longer. I don't keep my kids away from him. I encourage them to spend time with him while they can because that may not always be possible.

I think you let your kids deal with the world as it is and then help them through situations they have a hard time understanding. I wouldn't take my kids into a situation where I thought they would get hurt, but it doesn't make sense to me to try to protect them from something they are probably going to experience anyway.

I tattooed all my daughters.

But you gotta be carefull, by age 7 they can become "monsters". Most parents need to watch their wallets and car keys, we need to lock up our rigs!

You look much different in the photo than your avatar!

Nice un Chris! so what diod you do for your sons?

You might want to sell that motorcycle too. I use to work in the ER and we referred to people who rode motorcycles as organ doners. At least put a helMUT on . Definately respect your decision and how hard it was.

H

Here's one of the boys. I don't know those pesky child protective services people keep hassling us.

I still have the foto from 6 yrs ago of your daughter displaying her tattoos on your visit to me in Europe.
http://i59.photobucket.com/...ddick/BabyTattoo.jpg
take care,
space

In my opinion your doing the right thing by letting her know what you do. My daughter was 5 when I started BASE jumping and now she is 16. But if I am killed or injured on a BASE jump she knows why I do what I love and that I tried to be as safe a possible. NOT, thinking that I had some stupid wild hair idea and got myself killed.

Para Frog, with the highNtite haircut and anvil jaw, you remind me of another soldier that whipped my ass outside The Apex Lounge in Ft. bragg NC when I was in the 82nd. Pardon me if I make the same face as your daughter if we ever meet......not one black eye, but two!

you do have a sense of humor / good one, I laughed my ass off with that one. ...
.

All due respect...the best thing anyone can do for their children is to be happy. They notice. And yes, it makes a difference--they're not as easily fooled as we grown-ups think.

yep I knew Lukas and that haunts me too.

IMHO BASE is pure self-indulgence. Fcuking great when you have no responsibilities but it doesnt add up for me personally with a kid on the way.

You're right. I quit riding for awhile. The motorcycle in the picture is a 1972 Honda 125 that I completely restored. The picture was taken when I finally finished the restoration. Now about BASE...I'm not doing it but I
DO have flights and Hotel for the 2007 KL tower in Malaysia. Instesd of a rig, I'll have a camera! I can love BASE and support BASE but not do BASE. When they're a lot older, who knows??

what abut all the mom and dad the was kill in 911, so we all should stop working or stop living. what if you get kill base jumping, will you mom and dad care less because you are older, if you son like to start base jumping at age 16 and get kill well that hurt you more than he waited tell he is 21 and than get kill.

Apples and oranges. Setting aside the fact that the probability of dying in a terrorist attack at work is vanishingly small compared to that of dying on a BASE jump, BASE jumping is a strictly elective risk.

... There's a whole world of cool stuff to do out there, much of which is less risky than BASE. To go from "stop jumping" to "stop living" is more than a little melodramatic.


The difference here is that your parents are not dependents. If I have kids, then die jumping (a very risky sport I have chosen to participate in) when they're five, not only have I left my children without one parent, but as a bonus, I've left my wife without my support, and without a second income, at the same time that I've left her in sole custody of some kids. That we were supposed to raise.

There are some good arguments for continuing to jump, if you so choose, after you have kids. They are not the ones you've given.

The difference here is that your parents are not dependents. If I have kids, then die jumping (a very risky sport I have chosen to participate in) when they're five, not only have I left my children without one parent, but as a bonus, I've left my wife without my support, and without a second income, at the same time that I've left her in sole custody of some kids. That we were supposed to raise.
--------------------------------------------------------------
so is the meaning you well not get kill by driving a car or get hit by a car or die from cancer, have heart attack,
stop living by meaning for some is stop base jumping

You should read more carefully. The risks you're listing are not risks you choose to take -- they are the ones you are born into. To the extent that they are elective (if, for instance, you're increasing your risk of lung cancer by smoking like a chimney) then you certainly wouldn't be alone in modifying your lifestyle to increase the odds that you'll see your kids graduate.


Those people have a problem. Whether your chosen passtime is watching TV, or playing World of Warcraft, or BASE jumping, if you're blind to the fact that the world offers so much more, that's not something you should be proud of.

BASE 736 your points are indeed direct, succinct and to the point. However airdog is obviously unable to grasp the concept of elective pastimes. This inability to grasp this concept makes your valid argument totally irrelevant. As a jumper with more than enough jumps under my belt and having lost friends that did have children I can fully understand the choice to not jump once you have kids. Given the nature of this sport and the knowledge we have for how quick the shit can hit the fan do we really believe that that last jump we do, that finally kills us was really worth it even though we've left behind children that will be raised by someone else?
Some will say that it was worth it and that they will never change what they do. The reality is that BASE will eventually kill all who participate. Skill, time in sport, knowledge, luck and all that shit will eventually forego everyone. Just check the list. Anyone who thinks that their last jump will be worthwhile needs to re-evaluate their commitment to their family.
The name of the game is knowing when to quit. Plenty of people who have more jumps than me have packed it in for different reasons but chief among them has been for their children. If you elect to have kids should you not therefore elect to be around to make sure they grow up to be the people we want them to be?
I'm not here to pass judgment on anyone who is a parent and a BASE jumper. If that's what you do then I wish you much success. I just know that for me not being a parent but knowing that in the future I will be, the thought of leaving my kids because of a life that I chose to pursue and given the nature of it, would be truly distressing. I have a choice. I won't live in a bubble. Life is risky but anyone who tells me that BASE jumping is safer than driving a car or getting killed in a terrorist attack in California is out to fucking lunch. I've seen the death and I've picked up the pieces. The clock is ticking. In thirty years time I hope I will be able to say that I survived and was able to tell my kids and grandkids about it. Shit, maybe they'll be BASE jumpers too, I hope so.

nice post dude and on the money.

i'm a BASE parent.
i consider every jump carefully.
my family knows what i risk to be who i am.

no I'm not out to lunch people die in LA ever day, the terrorists was planning to blow up building in LA, if i have a kid I would like to see them make a jump too with out other telling you how to raise theme.

Substitute the word BASE with "Life" and you would be correct.


For me, one jump is not worth dying for, but a lifetime of jumps, associated friends and experiences is worth living for.

No matter what one does or does not, in the world, no one gets out alive.
take care.
space

Mate, we all know that life will eventually run out for everyone. And a lifetime of cool experiences making tons of friends is truly one of the greatest aspects of the sport but really, do you believe that if you had a young child and were killed jumping that your child would be able to grow up and appreciate the life you lead. This very child could indeed be turned against the sport you loved so much especially when you factor in the brainwashing from step-parents which is highly probable. Everyone just keep doing what you're doing. All I'm doing is laying it out the way I see it. The life we lead is a gift that we have for a short time. Use it wisely. Making concessions to our lives for the benefit of our families isn't giving in to unreasonable pressures, it's just about sharing ourselves with the people we love, for as long as we can. That's why I don't make bombs anymore or vacation in Tikrit or surf in Israel or swim with stingrays. Just choices I've made. It's all good.

Yes, I have a young child and I do beleive that no matter how I died, she would appreciate the life I had led.



My daughter Amy, though almost 7yrs. is quite her own person. I have no fear of her getting brainwashed from step-parents. She would fight them just as I did if they tried that crap.

I wouldn´t use that as an excuse to quit jumping (that she may turn against the sport). I would quit probaly because I felt like it. But I don´t see that coming anytime soon.
Anyways,
Take care Big M.
space

Here´s a photo of us on a tilting ferris wheel.

I have taught my sons that they should grow to be what THEY want to be, not what I want.


Zero experience, and you already know, HMMMM???
HAHAHAHA!!!!
Come back in 10yrs
My youngest is 12

That's the nice thing about these forums, we can discuss topics such as this as a way of working through issues which do affect people and not just ourselves. As I stated earlier, I'm not passing any judgment on anyone for what they do and I do appreciate everyones perspective. However just because I don't have any children doesn't mean that I can't have an opinion about how I would feel if I did. I have distinct memories from my own childhood which include my parents. My parents through no fault of their own helped shape who I am today. I am grateful for the life and the freedom they gave me but in that same breath I also know that if my father had been replaced by another, life would've been a lot different.
This sport we love so much has certain factors built into it which make it appealing to all of us just knowing that our next jump could be our last gives me pause to make sure I'm doing what I want and that it makes my life better. Me jumping doesn't make my parents lives or that of my wife better but it does for me. It would just suck if you last jump was just some kind of sucky BASE jump. We've all had less than stellar jumps for whatever reason. I just hope we all get to realize when we've had enough. It's a great thing to be a survivor. If we've been here long enough, we can look back at our mates who are no longer with us and if we could ask them if that last jump was worth it, what would be the answer?
Keep up the good work people, stay safe out there but don't let those easy jumps fool you.
And just for the record if my kids told me they wanted to grow up to be meth cookers or Elephant poachers I may elect to steer them in a slighly different direction. I'm quite sure that in 10 years I'll still feel the same way about those 2 subjects.
Matt

I have 3 cids 10.17 19 year and no problem for me

take care,
space

Ha Ha, how bout when your kids start base jumping with you? That's when it gets scary! And it's not like you can tell them no after they've watched/videoed you doing it either!

OOOiii Matt! My question is: WHEN are you going to have kids?!? C'mon in, the water's fine . Your posts make you sound all grown up n' stuff. Moi... BASE is on the back burner for now, but I'm not selling my gear. Maybe Z will be up for ground crewing when she's old enough to understand why I spent so many years chasing altitude.

Luuuv,
Karin

my dad is finding this one out he was one of the first british bass jumpers but then stopped jumping when i was born. he is planning on going off to norway jumping yet knows that when he starts again im gonna have to start aswell and is no starting to think that dispite what other people think due my young age etc its better he lets get start and gets me trained properly then him stopping me and i end up sneaking off behind his back and trying to teach myself or what ever

it also doesnt help theres a 300ft S 1/2mile from my house and he keeps his base rigs in my room!

hehe...
while i'm basing, my son make own little bussiness...

Brilliant!

Heya
first off i have 2 kids myself and my wife has 2 others.
As a parent you will rethink if you should jump,our kids are always the best thing that ever happens to us.
My Q is...
Why would you bring them to a object and let them see you jump?
They love you forever and more than that(just look at the picit says it all),they dont need to watch if you get hurt,they wont be abel to help they will only get all the horrow..

I know its a personal thing a nd respect you for your choice.I rember when i told the comunity that im a jumper whith kids.. most people wont combine thouse 2 things..

My kids(all 4 of them) wont see me make a live BASEjump,or other BASEjumps live untill theyre grown up and can make the dessision if they want to see or not.

Personaly i wouldnt dare leaving my kids behind,knowing that the last they saw of me were impacting the ground,even adults dont like that weiv..
As said its personal dessision,and you have my equal respect as a parent and as a jumper but my belive is that live BASEjump aint for kids..

Gorgeus kids you have there by the way

There is an 'E' here that is a popular tourist attraction. One can get to the top via a cable car. There is sometimes quite a crowd when we jump it. I was doing a solo from there a while back and there was a little boy and his mom on the lookout directly above me. The boy must have been about 5 years old. As I leaped off, I heard him scream in distress: "nooooooooooo!!!!!!"
I felt quite bad because the kid was really crying and I hope he felt better once he saw the canopy.


My wife respects the fact that I jump, even encourages me to go jump when I am all depressed and stuff but she doesn't want the girls to watch me jump.
She has never done a skydive, but she learnt to pack and used to pack with me at the dz. In the time I would pack 3 rigs, she would pack one, but her pack jobs were the neatest I have ever seen. She has cumulated enough technical knowledge on parachutes to be well aware of the dangers of BASE. She is also a nursing sister and deals with hectic injuries on a daily basis.
About 2/3 of the way to my father in law's place, about 4 hours drive from home there is a bridge. I would consider it a crime to go over that bridge and not jump it. My wife is ok with taking a radio, no long faces and guilt trips when I get back up, but she just won't watch or let the girls watch.

I sometimes think that the sooner you understand that we're all dying, the stronger it will make you and the harder you will fight.

I suppose the answer is somewhere in between: It's ok for your kids to understand that accidents happen or that when it's your time to go it's your time to go, but just try and spare them the horror of watching you get hurt or even watching you go.

Well, that's enough rambling and agreeing to disagree on what I agree with for a while; I am off to the big city to go make some money and hopefully get my 'B'...
...and nobody can rime like me yo

poc

Kids generally dont know somthing is dangerous in nature unless they are told, what you expose your kids to regularly is what they will consider normal, if Parafrog had show his 4 yo girl himself jmuping from the time she was 2 this would be normal to her and not scary. At 4yo she's problably been told (if not by parents by others) that it's dangerous to climb high on things (cupboards, walls trees etc...) So daddy jumping from a high thnig is NOT narmal and is scary

I have some really funny video buried somewhere in my historical collection. There's a jumper standing out on a diving board of rock at a popular tourist overlook (which is illegal to jump), during the day, with no rig. Another jumper is filming him as he stands out there, and you clearly hear a kid in the crowd say "I hope he falls!"

On the hike up to a local E a couple of summers ago, we ran across a group of kids from a camp or something. We were decked out in our best Dainese fishnet, so the kids wanted to know what we were up to. When we told them, this one girl, ten years old or something, points right at me and says, "You're going to die." Just like that.

That was this jump. So much for her future as a clairvoyant. I wasn't even hurt.