Basejumper.com - archive

Hi,

I live in Brighton UK and have 9 base jumps off the perrine bridge.

I have never jumped in the UK and dont know any UK base jumpers.

Im looking to meet some jumpers that i can ground crew for and help in anyway while i get to know them, learn more about the industry and practice accuracy with my base canopy out of planes before i do my first jumps in the UK.

I don't want to ramble on so if there's any question please feel free to ask.

Also try the UK BASE Board...

Not a direct reply, more of an observation for new jumpers as this sort of post pops up from time to time and there seems to be a pattern starting to occur with new UK jumpers :

It would be more beneficial to try and make contacts before going out to do a FJC. Not only would you get to make contacts, but in most cases you will normally get some groundcrew experience, packing lessons, and a bit of an introduction to BASE, which will mean you get more from your FJC.

Once you get back with that fire in your belly, and that itch you need to scratch, you would be better placed to start going forward with UK base, rather than trying to make contacts whislt wanting to scratch that itch, and I know how that can take you down a risky path.

I know of someone that is so willing to help out and progress new jumpers, that there really isnt an excuse in making contacts and getting some experience around the UK scene before a FJC... There are others willing to meet and lend a hand to someone due to go out to a FJC.

In doing so, shows a bit more preparation for UK BASE rather than kicking out 200 skydives and doing a FJC and expecting to come back to open arms from the community.

Just my £0.000000002 (semi-retireds) worth.

Mac

While I agree with that and it is most certainly an ideal way to learn BASE, as someone who is wanting to start BASE and dependent on location, it still can be quite difficult meeting contacts who are willing to help you, or even meeting contacts full stop, no matter how eager you are. It seems you have to make a name for yourself first, this attitude certainly can make people go for the FJC first, and go at it alone. After all, why should we have to wait on someone else to say when we can enjoy our life, no matter if they do have our best interests at heart. Just my 2 pence

Richard, Richard, Richard.
What are you whining about?

Fact: There are 3 or 4 active/experienced jumpers in the North of England. 2 of those live the other side of the Pennines from you.

I went out of my way to meet you, I bought you a beer, I answered your PM's asking for advice, I invited you to the DZ I jump at, I offered to skydive with you when you told me you struggled to get people to skydive with you at your DZ due to a lack of experience.
You decided not to bother driving the extra 30 - 40 mins.

What more do you want or expect????

Do you expect me to go to your DZ to jump with you?
Do you want all the BASE jumper from down south to move up north to mentor you?
Do you want me to pack for you?
Maybe a little hand relief on the exit point to help you relax?

You live in an area where there are not many active jumpers, deal with it.
I had the same issues, I didn't moan about it. After my FJC I got in my car and drove 3,500 mile round trip to do two jumps, made a couple of contacts and built on it.
In my 1st year of BASE I managed a grand total of 6 jumps before my mentor went in. Not the best start.


Like I said in a PM to you, nobody owes you anything, nobody is under any obligation to mentor you, nobody is under any obligation to show you exit points.

By all means go it alone, just don't moan if you get injured.
Alternatively, you could stop crying about how unfair it all is, get some skydives under your belt, go out of your way to prove yourself to some of the other UK jumpers and then do a FJC.

You do not want to make a name for yourself, normally a reputation is a negative because it means you are either unsafe or a cunt.
There are a couple of UK jumpers I will not jump with because I feel they are unsafe, if you are not prepared to to prove that you are A) safe and B) not a total knob, then why the hell do you think anyone will want to jump with you let alone put in the time and effort to mentor you?
Sorry but I really don't want to spend a night in A&E or a Police Station explaining what went wrong to either your/their family or the police.

Oh and for your information you are one of about 8 or 10 people in the NW who have told me they are intending to do a FJC as soon as they have 200 jumps what should they do next/can I help them...
You do the maths!


Julian

when you jump with someone, whether they know more or less, you generally agree to take care of each other. you accept a poor choice/act by another could lead to your arrest (at least on most US jumps).

asking someone to help you out is really asking for a serious commitment from them.

most newbies have not shown a similar commitment to anything in the sport. they are untested. they may be a train wreck waiting to happen. they may not.

the easy choice for experienced jumpers is to stay away. not jumping is a sure fire way to remain intact. (yes, and it fails to help newbies.)



ps
it seems jools posted much of the same sentiment as I was typing...

Hi Jay,
Sorry your thread got hijacked.

There are a couple of jumpers on the south coast near you, it might be better posting on the UK site as I am not sure if they are on here.
There is also a very experienced jumper who spends quite a lot of time jumping not far from Brighton.

Laters

Julian

the thread is no longer hijacked. I've removed those posts. it really is a discussion better suited to PM's, since it dealt with a specific user who is not the OP.

let's not take that detour again in this thread.

PM sent Jay. The balls in your court now...