Basejumper.com - archive

Hey guys, I cant find anyone who will answer my questions so I thought i would make an account on here. I am only 17 and have never done a single skydive or base jump, but i am extremly interested! Now ive done some research and they all say you need to skydive 1st. I agree with that, but it really never gives me any advice about anything, can some one please give me some advice on how to start, what I should be paying and simple things like that? Help would be much appreciated!

dropzone.com

 

I know I cant skydive till im 18, but im just so interested, but thanks for the info.

COME to NC, there are a few DZ's that will let you jump (AFF) at 16 with parents permission...

While this may sound a little morbid: in addition to checking out the dropzone, go attend a funeral or two. If you want the experience to be a little more accurate, picture one of your closest friends in the casket... or more likely in the urn. Go volunteer at a hospital and talk to those who went fast and took chances, and may now never walk again.

There are two sides to every story.

-=Raistlin

A little scarier outlook, but thanks for sharing.

Thats a long ways away from my Wisconsin, but thanks for the info, how long does the AFF training course usually last?

think between 1000 and 3000 US $ for your first 30ish skydives useing AFF. should not be much more than a thousand doing static line.

for BASE, with no prior flying experience, (aviation, paragliding, etc) skydive is the best way to do it.

in australia you can skydive at 14 [:P

that is solid advice.

most time in either sport will be spent doing something besides jumping. anyone can start doing that now! it costs little more than gas and beer money (for participants who are old enough...). if you happily spend your time at a dz, then you probably won't mind spending money there as well. hopefully you can find a welcoming, friendly dz.

we have a thread going about the journey vs the jump. you can prefer one over the other, but need to enjoy BOTH.

go to skydive greensburg in Indiana they will take you at 16.

Don't wait . . .

Go to your local hardware store and buy a broom and a rake and just show up at the closest DZ that allows 16 yr olds to jump. Then without asking anyone for a job, or permission, just start cleaning up around the drop zone. No matter what anyone says just keep smiling, sweeping, and raking. Sleep in your car, if you have one, or better, just throw a sleeping bag on one of the gear tables. (I know winter's coming, but this actually works in your favor). Don't mention B.A.S.E. jumping to anyone, just keep smiling and raking and by this time next year you'll have your 150 skydives in your logbook . . .

NickD
BASE 194

In the history of time, and reading over 10,000 posts or more on these (dz.com/bj.com), this is the best advice I ever have read.

It is funny, and more accurate than anyone ever would imagine.

But, at my home DZ, I know of a packer that made over $500 in one day (over 50 tandem rigs) - and is just barely legal to jump age wise... I worked my butt off the same day doing AFF, and made 36% of what he made... Packing, at a busy DZ, is a blessing in disguise to anyone wishing to jump.

And when you a young packer and a good worker, the DZ owners don't mind giving you favers. Where I jump, one of the packers is 16, he got his AFF almost free getting a jump at the end of each day, and by 30 jumps he was on the end of the day Bigways.

Thanks everyone for the feedback, if you have more send it!!!