Basejumper.com - archive

I was wondering if there is anyone out there that could give me tips on how to go about starting basejumping. I am a skydiver that is interested in trying basejumping and I am looking for a few pointers

Tip #1 Search Function, Use it. Find the article on starting base. go from there.

find local jumpers.
offer to help.
buy them beer.

show initiative and review this forum. a similar post pops up once a month... learn as much as you can on your own.

I noticed the other day when I was talkin to my buddy Eric Miller I had mentioned that I was interested in BASE and I had mentioned my buddy down in Georgia and he said that he was a bad guy to jump with. I realized at that moment that even though the skydiving community is small the BASE community is even smaller. I have always been interested in BASE but I figured I would wait until I had more experience through skydiving before I branched out any further.

The Research skills you develop, mold and shape here and now, can only assist you in your journey.

I agree. I have done just a few BASE jumps but have been an avid reader of this forum for a year. There is a wealth of information here if you look. Read the info in the articles section.

Be warned that there are a few who contribute here that require you to have 'thick skin'. Good luck in your quest.

i dont know shit , i am a rookie beginner so dont listen to me. but read the articles and ask questions. get some giant 7 cell canopy time when skydiving if youre really interested in BASE. some argue that you have to have X number of skydives, but in my opinion if you get a bunch of practice on BASE canopies in skydiving rigs or just big 7 cell F111 canopies, you can start to work on canopy accuracy and landing in different conditions IE down and crosswind. this will aid you when you enter the BASE environment. but like i said, im a noob.

chris,

you forgot to give him mary's phone number!

oh yeah. maurice: find a mentor, but not just any. auntie mary can show you how to land proper!!!!!!!!!

 

What are you 2 talking about.....

the mystical Thornfaced Platypus?

Rumor has it that centuries ago it dissapeared, extinct from the planet. Some say the freeze and thaw of the first ice age made it die off, but i believe differently.

When in doubt....pound it out. Right into a thornbush when ever possible. The bush will actually soften the blow a bit with the twigs and thorns...

NEVER EVER go for the softest landing.

sorry, my bad

nice warning

"Buy them beer".......Why?

Beer tastes good... rather you liquor or juice?

do a google search on the term "bribery"

Hey Parky ... how'd it go last night

Buy beer ... they mean be the bitch

Flipper

to show respect and humility.
also, give them a reason to go out of their way to help you. few will ask for money, but being generous shows you appreciate their efforts.

You can learn from people without kowtowing to them! Buying them beer is ripping the hole out it.

The mentor should buy the beer and be grateful that someone is watching their back. If the mentor goes in, the GC wannabe jumper will have a shit lot of work to do.

Last night was sound flipper.......No problems.

most jumpers choose NOT to be a mentor. it is a lot of responsibility. novices can complicate otherwise routine objects. noisy GC can even enhance the possibilities of a bust.

remember, the GC has little at risk. why should a jumper trust YOU? how do you ENHANCE their jump experience?

if you find one willing to assist, you ought to show your gratitude.

 

....to show respect and humility....

With all respect wwarped .......that is fucked, no reason why anyone should show humility or be humiliated and you can't demand respect..... ah just dont get the concept ... act like a bitch ...buy beer ... etc etc etc ... anybody that we take on or jump with the respect is already there or its not gonna happen

I never said buy a keg, every jump.
I never said be humiliated.
you came up with that.
mentors should respect their apprentices as well.
(this ain't no English class system! this is an American merit system.)

if a newbie wants to approach an experienced jumper, who he does not know, which do you think will work better?
1) "I'd like to learn more about BASE. let's meet at the pub. I'll get the first round."
2) "you don't know me from Adam, but take me out BASE jumping Saturday night!"

I personally think choice 1) will work better.
several responses indicate a preference for choice 2)...

humility - knowing you need to learn
respect - acknowledging when someone can provide that missing information

WTF? so you're saying no one should be humble or modest? and who said anything about demanding respect? if you don't respect the person you're asking a favor from, why would you ask?

In that other sport....

When I am teaching someone new how to adjust
their fall rate, dock, exit, or hop & pop well it is
a coach jump where I get a free slot and a fee.

If I am teaching them how to sitfly, pack, etc. it
is often for free and takes up a fair amount of
time so I probably see potential in them and
enjoy their company.

In BASE, besides from an FJC, most of the teaching
and learning is done sans money -- hence buying a
cool guy who is helping you out a few beers should
be no big deal.

It sure is shit cheaper than 2 slots + $10