Basejumper.com - archive

Name the B.A.S.E Jumper?

And I'll tell you the story when someone gets it . . .

NickD
BASE 194

somebody who chooses to pitch left handed ?

Moe Viletto?

>>Moe Viletto?<<

Nope . . .

NickD
BASE 194

Nice mullet!

Looks like Rick Payne to me.

BASE359

Bingo, Jay . . .

Owning to the fact B.A.S.E. jumping has always generated internal debate and argument since it began this photo was taken during another heated disagreement.

Yes, the jumper in the photograph is Rick Payne, B.A.S.E. 137. And this was shortly after Mark Hewitt had developed the Direct Bag method for low B.A.S.E. jumps and the community was hotly contesting whether Direct Bag was useful or not.

Rick was firmly on the side of not and Mark, in pushing Direct Bag, countered by saying, "there is no future in low freefalls." Rick used the photograph, taken at a 260-foot bridge to say, "Low freefalls are in my future!" And back then this was indeed low for B.A.S.E freefall. Rick went on to say, "B.A.S.E. jumping is a sport that should be left up to the individual to express in any way they choose. And Mark Hewitt doesn't have the right to choose limitations for others."

The problem is while Rick was on the right track in those days; the issues facing BASE jumping are ever evolving. No one then had to contend with the question of setting any kind of good example for newer jumpers because compared to today newer BASE jumpers didn’t come by the boatload.

An interesting thing about the 1980s was, except for Velcro closed BASE containers which we had by then, we were pushing what was essentially skydiving gear to its limit. And while we argued and called it each other "boneheads" you almost never heard, "That guy flat out doesn't know what he's doing," like you often do today. The reason was if you reached a 100 B.A.S.E. jumps in the 1980s you either knew what you were doing or you were dead . . .

NickD
BASE 194

Thanks Nick!

Looking carefully at that pic, reminds me of the 'hybrid' bridles we often used back then...it appears to have a curved pin a foot or two above the shrivel flap.
Problem is, that back then, the only pin rigs were our skydiving rigs! (Often my backup rig in the 80s)

I have some video of Rick Payne at BD in the mid/late 80's, proving his low FF concept and dialing in his ultra low, freefall pack job.
Stepping off the rail, Rick pitched, and had a fully inflated, on heading, flying canopy before he was halfway down the steel at the NRGB.

BASE359

Yeah, it's funny now, but I wore one back then too. So did a few other guys...Bono, George Clooney and Brad Pitt to name just a few.

BASE359

Wasn't Rick Payne the guy who had his 14 or 15 year old son make a base jump? Or am I mistaken.

Ronald

I think maybe you are refering to Hoover (John Hoover),
He and his son (9yrs) did a 2 way from 175 ft (53m). Hoover FF, and his son was DB´d by Hoover´s mom.
Take care,
space

Yup, his name is Casey Hoover. Does he still hold the record for youngest solo B.A.S.E.?

BASE359

 

John Hoover . . .

RIP, my friend.

NickD
BASE 194

Another classic Hoover pic...Adventure afoot!


BASE359

the ultimate Hover pic
"Rrr caption t'is a fine life, providin ya don't weaken"