Basejumper.com - archive

Hi guys,

This is my first post on the forum as I am just beginning my journy into base jumping, hopefully!

I've wanted to base jump from the moment I saw a base jumping video when i was a little kid. Times ticked by a bit since then but lately I've decided it's about time to pursue that long standing desire. I understand that I need to learn to crawl before I can walk so I've taken the logical step and started an AFF course. I did stage 1 a few months ago but due to the wind that persists in Perth during summer I'm only up to stage 5. I'm keen to knock the course off soon and get as many jumps in as possible from then on...

My problem is I can't stop thinking about base! I've almost gotten to the point of being totally obsessed! I think about it constantly and look forward to the day I'm standing on top of a cliff in Norway scared shitless.

Were any of you totally consumed by base long before jumping? Did you make a consious effort to put it out of your mind so that you didn't drive yourself crazy? I just can't get it off my mind! Work has become difficult to concentrate on, half my conversations are now base orientated and I lay awake at night playing jumps I've seen or one day want to do over and over in my head!

I know there's about a million threads on here about the best way to proceed but once again for my benefit, is chocking up the skydiving experience and then heading overseas for a FJC the best way forward? Is learning from an experienced local base jumper just as good? If so is there a minimum number of skydives recommended, or will I just feel like I'm ready when I'm ready?

Anyway, I'm doing my best to not get ahead of myself, I know I will eventually base jump and I know there's no rush to get there. For now it's waiting for this frustrating wind to drop...

Cheers,

Ash

Hey Ash

I'm sure BASE consumes the thoughts of many jumpers on this forum, you wont be alone.

Dont be too fast to skip through skydiving to get to BASE - skydiving is an amazing sport in its own right and can change your life. Enjoy every step of it and soak it in, enjoy the company of like minded people and take the opportunity to learn from people better than yourself. Focus on your AFF right now, stay safe, have fun and see what the future brings.

The articles section of this site not only makes a great read but they also answer most, if not all, of your questions - so read, then re-read, then read some more.

Then again, ive never done a BASE jump so at this point i know as little as you really.

Theres some seriously talented people posting here, im sure theyll chime in with more valuable advice.

I hope your dreams are soon realised bud, enjoy the ride.

Steve
www.runfmx.co.nz

I've removed various responses that hijacked YOUR topic.

for everyone else:
we do not have a history of vendors popping up suggesting THEIR products. (vendors do appear, and I personally appreciate it when they post customer service sort of comments.) the world might be changing with innovation, but new operations, like users, can glean community standards by the simple act of lurking.

companies that want to promote their products or services should use the Classifieds, or simply advertise.

Keep dreaming. Its well worth the wait! Good Luck, be safe!

Sometimes the answer to a dream is a nightmare.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

jon

for the second time, a thread hijack needed removal. let's keep the eye on the wannabee and help him. afterall, this is the heavily moderated, welcoming, BASE Beginners forum. this is not a rough and tumble forum.

anyone that insists on resuming the hijack will have their post removed and they will be blocked from posting here for a bit.

<sigh>


anyone want to have a discussion with the OP?
(if you think I'm wrong about something, please PM me. I might agree!)

Im pretty new to objects, but I can say that it has pretty much consumed my mind for a while too. I think that is pretty normal for passionate, meticulous people to focus on something to the point of obsession when it's such a great desire. I went a different route getting into BASE. I had some canopy time from speedflying and like 10 AFF jumps. A BASE jumper came into my shop and bought some skis. We hit it off and taught him how to ski big mountains and he agreed to mentor me in BASE. 200 skydives...100 skydives...shit, I didn't have 60 before my first PCA jump. I'm not saying it was right, wrong, or other, just that when the time is right you will know. Don't rush it, but feel it. Regardless if you have 200, or 2000 skydives, if you dont have the right mindset at that particular moment, then you should probably just wait for it all to click...and it will. Skydives, from what I've learned in my infant stage, do several things for you. They give you canopy skills. They give you muscle memory for recognizing, fixing, and staying calm during problems. They teach you to fly your body. They teach you about the gear you'll be using. And they allow you to network with others (i.e. riggers, local BASE jumpers, etc) Enjoy the skydiving, I know I do. And don't let the desire get in the way of your instinct.

Cheers for the replies guys, much appreciated!

I spent the day at the local DZ (about 2 hours away) yesterday but again didn't get to jump due to wind gusts... Got a couple of packs signed off though so achieved something! Looking forward to getting out of the plane again asap!

Your last name isn't swan by any chance is it?? From Cairns aus??? Ps Im in the same boat mate! Its fuct! Fucking weather!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nah bud, I'm from Perth, West Oz.

I probably should have waited till winter to start AFF, summers here blow and blow and blow...

Sweet. I have been told by many people good things come to those who wait... We'll get there... one day... It will be the best day of my life when I get there!!! Good luck!!!

Yeah I'm hearing ya chief... I'm happy to take it slow, just gunna concentrate on skydiving for now, try to push base out of my mind for a bit! Good luck to you too bro! Hope to jump with you sometime in the future!

This is just subtle-jumping-lesson #1. Learn to be patient, the object/sky/whatever will still be there tomorrow but yeah, I thought about it heaps years before I started.

And totally agree don't just look at skyjumpin as a means to an end. Plenty of fun to have there too.

Have you been on the ABA forum? Talk to Plummy about the course he organises, prerequisites, preparation etc and that'll set you up for a bit of success. I think there's a few jumpers lurking around WA as well so you might be able to hunt them down too (maybe...).

BJ

Gotta find us though as we hide amongst the humans.... :-P

Yes.
yes, but it didn't take
Studying for school became very difficult because every time I was on the computer, I slowly but surely went back to youtube or BJ.com and watched video after video. Been there done that, but don't worry, once you have a handful of jumps under your belt this will subside... probably lol

haha, This is what I'm doing right now. Paper due tomorrow, but I can't seem to focus on anything but jumping and skiing.

Well I finally got up in the air again yesterday and knocked off AFF stages 5 and 6. Not a bad way to spend Australia Day and looking forward to getting up there again! Gets more enjoyable each time and that little bit closer to base