Basejumper.com - archive

obviously, many out there do NOT like what Sonic is doing. I have read comments that think his efforts will lead to underprepared people becoming jumpers. they will be statistics waiting to happen.

then this popped up:

there is a ton of videos available, from FB, TP, and the like to that Dave fella with his plan of getting nabbed by police. all freely post videos.

many average jumpers trek out to ID and jump the bridge. sometimes it feels like there is a standard "I jumped in potato land and here is my version of the same video you've already seen."

and many folks (both jumpers and non-jumpers) watch the videos. they surely stoke some people up.

so, I thought it might be nice to see what everyone thinks. which presents a greater hazard by creating more ill prepared newbies?

as always, feel free to discuss why you feel that way.

MORE ILL VISION

the more people that start BASE jumping... the less unique and cool i will become.

I think we are in a situation where "most" currently feel that to protect "the sport" we need to keep the number of jumpers low and manageable.

In the past this wasn't as much of an issue until BASE started growing exponentially....

Personally, I think that there is a "manageable" number of jumpers. One reasoning is for keeping site access. In that way I might be a little jaded and selfish. I still want the choice to jump, whether it be perrine, moab, or something of the trespassing nature. (I guess I will always still have that choice, be it harder)

As far as what I think will lead to ill prepared newbies... You should add another check-box and label it "I am a newbie and feel that my (low jump number) experience, and superior intellect, should allow me to teach.

There are those that will argue that they are above average, etc etc... I think you have to realize that good portion of us are above average. Then does that change the point at which we could start instructing? I feel no. Not everyone can teach; you can have a syllabus memorized, but still not be an effective teacher/coach/mentor/leader. You not only have to know the material, but understand and grasp which can be different.

The thing that hurts me (all of us) is when we loose a fellow jumper. I abhor seeing those posts....

I will cut this off now....

a good buddy of mine once said "jay...base is better than bad sex with chicks that you hate!". how can i keep new guys from experiencing that feeling?

The End


Credits:
- Lead Actors and actresses: All of Ill Vision old and new
- Screen play: JamMasterJay
- Producer: JamMasterJay
- Choreograper: JamMasterJay
- Special effects: JamMasterJay
- Parachute Stunts: ILL VISION
- Rigging::::::::::::::Asylum
- MotorCycle Stunts: Idol Riders (and Tom whatever his creen name is) and some dirt bike rider named Mortifer)

- BreakDancer 1: Vin Diesel
- BreakDancer 2: JamMasterJay
- Assistant to JamMasterJay: JamMasterJay
- Key Grip: The Hand
- Gaffer: JamMasterJay
- Music Score: Who else could it be? With a name like JamMasterJay... it's JamMasterJay
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Im a newbie with not even one skidive yet (fuuu...ing financial crisis:P). Like most I first saw BASE jumping somewhere in the net, it was Jeb corlinns vid from 2003. You guys make it look so easy that its easy to start thinking ey, maybe I could do that. Just read comments on youtube, many people say that they will do it one day but the reality is that most of them will give up on the idea as soon as they research abit more about it. Still, with BASE being more mainstream you cant escape a fact that more and more people will be trying to get in to the sport. With the sport being farly small you guys still have quiet alot of control of who you let in the sport and I think its great, but still BASER, miles FJC (still no skydives requaired or did they change the rules?) and some average jumpers thinking that they can mentor someone, BASE is becoming to open. I gues no rules is fun but I think rules will have to be made to keep people from killing themselves burning objects and getting the legal objects closed.
I really want to give it a shot, starting skidiving soon and hope to have atleast 500 jumps in before even thinking about BASE, first I have to honestly see if I have what it takes, I have been reading and trying to find out as much as I can in last 2 years and Im still not sure if I will ever be able to do what you guys are doing. The more I read the more I realize how intense and intense sport it is... I sure as hell hope I will be able to do some jumps in kjerag without hiding at the exit point in the middle of night and running for your life after landing:P

 

Well, it seems like more of a nostalgic problem and a bit of technical one here..

The elders of BASE remember the old days and think of how underground and bandit it was, how hard it was to do it and how you were really special compared to other people.. But now almost anyone who puts their time and money into skydiving can eventually get into BASE, be it after 1000 or 100 jumps.. And this frustrates the elders..

Yes and off course the overconfident people who kill themselves doing thing's that are out of their league or the people with big egos who as mentioned before burn objects and overall bring negative attention to the sport.

Probably the main reason for this elder dissatisfaction is loss of specialness they felt in the early days and the negative attention that overconfident / big ego people bring to the sport..

But overall, you can't expect this to be any different. World is evolving, the information is spreading at an astonishing rate, more people are doing this, gear is becoming better and safer and easily accessible and it's inevitable that more and more people find out about this and want to do it as well...

If for example some of you refuse to mentor someone, then they will eventually buy themselves into the sport by doing an FJC and then become reckless. I think that more experienced basers should actually mentor more people, bringing people into BASE slower but overall safer for their own and others good, instead of denying and forcing them into FJC's. This way (the mentorship) the newbies then could form true perception of the sport and what it truely stands for the most of BASE jumpers.

Just my humble opinion.

Ill prepared instructors/mentors. I do not charge for base instruction, therefore it is on my schedule not the aspirant. I have the opportunity to walk away at any time if the person is not a good fit for me or base itself. I will tell them about how great bowling is and that they should get some shoes and a really cool shirt. I do not teach very many people, because its' like they are my kids after that. Way too much responsibility.The world turns, people are born and people die.

ahhh, why was i shorted? you need to insert GAFFER: JAMMASTERJAY

Firstly I'd like to state that I do think the BASER container is a good idea and if it wasn't for the fact that AADs are compulsary throughout most of europe i would buy one. I also think that the rig can make the Base learning process much safer. I even think sonic is qualified to teach some elements (not all) of base jumping due to his canopy and rigging skills.

However, his FJC deeply concerns me. In some ways i want the sport to grow because this will mean more legal events and more money being invested into the sport which can lead to better gear technology, making the sport safer in some areas. But I believe BASE is something you should pursue yourself and not be encouraged into. I've met so many skydivers that say they want to take up base, but never do. Which in many cases is a good thing, some of these people shouldn't be anywhere near the base environment due to their safety and attitudes. If a base FJC comes to a dropzone its potentially throwing an opportunity to get into the sport at the wrong people. I have one friend who has always talked about becoming a base jumper and i pray he never will because his regards towards safety are terrible. However I know that if this FJC came to his DZ he would jump at the opportunity. I am very tempted to start a thread urging the jumpers on this forum to email DZOs explaining why they should not accept this course on their dropzone. We could email every DZ in the country quite easily if a few people helped out. The only thing stopping me is that it may do more harm than good as it would be bringing more attention to the course. I know the last DZO I worked for would have welcomed the course to his DZs if it meant he would profit from it, regardless if it was morally right. Sonic if your reading this i do consider some of your contributions valuable to the base community and I think that anybody that says you have no business getting involved in base gear or teaching ignorant. But I can see some bad consequences arising from your FJCs and although you want to bridge the gap between base and skydiving, in many ways this would not be a good thing.

Mentoring is hard work man. It takes a lot of time, money, and emotion.

Most jumpers, myself included, are not willing to put that much effort into someone that you don't want to be long term friends with.

Lots of people say oh yea I want to base jump blah blah blah. Few are willing to work for it, and really put in the time to properly learn. They just want it handed to them.

you are entitled to your opinion, but it is just that. You have no jumps, no time in the sport, no students. no experience to back up your opinion.

If and when you start jumping, you can decide how many people you are willing and capable of mentoring.

Faster down load speeds.

Serioulsy.

DSL is going to lead to so many injuries.

If you want an AAD you could always get a sentnal for your chest mount.

Lee

I only decided to "mentor" ZM jump after 3+ years of ground crew, and a year of that he didn't even skydive!

R: you missed some Ill fun on saturday, it's building...

I think that either will lead to the unprepared TRYING base... but I don't think too many people will stick with the sport unless they should.
Barring corporate sponsorship, or media attention, there aren't too many reasons to continue risking your life without true intentions.
so unless they get hurt or killed in the first few jumps... they'll probably just sell us their new gear at a discounted price. otherwise- hit up their family for the bargain basement bereaved bloody rig price.

someone still owes me a watch...
fucker

Grrrr... Though I was somewhat hammered by the time you were ready.