Basejumper.com - archive

So, curious, whats everyones opinion on Tandem Base at the next bridgeday? I see they are posting 10 slots will be sold.
Since it is stressed the the RIVER should be the primary landing zone for most people, and the land/rock area can be tricky, is this really a good idea?
Just read this on the bridge day info page and was curious what others thought.

I don't see any problem with tandem BASE at BD. It has been done before, although not commercially I don't think.

BTW, is it really true that only BASE-specific canopies are allowed at BD? If I showed up with my Super Raven 4, setup for BASE, would I not be allowed to jump? I have no plans to attend BD--just curious.

Walt,

Skydiving canopies are fine at BD as long as they're not high-speed swooping types. We're also OK with skydiving containers if the jumper used them in the past at BD. What we're trying to deter are first-time jumpers digging up an old Wonderhog, which is why we prefer BASE containers. More info here: http://www.bridgeday.info/faq.php#9

The first tandem at BD was done in the mid-1980's. We're still working out the details of how each jump will be performed, but I believe the tandemBASE guys have a passenger release system and flotation if they land in the water. We've also got four boats on standby and they'll be notified of every tandem jump before they leave the bridge. In speaking with the Bridge Day Commission about tandemBASE, most were very excited about it. More info on BD TandemBASE is located here: http://www.bridgeday.info/tandembase.php

Thanks for the info!

So, uh, there's really a BASE rig called the "Soft Cock"? LOL

In 1995, I wrote a series of BASE articles. I believe they were the first "how to" articles about BASE ever to appear on the internet. Each began with a disclaimer that read, in part:

BASE, even though it has evolved a great deal over the past few years, is still somewhat experimental.

That statement is no less true today. The envelope is being pushed harder than ever, and tandem BASE is a case in point.

Each new push into the unknown always seems to blur the line between sport and stunt and it leaves us wondering how and why anyone would even think of that, let alone actually do it.

I remember when I viewed *all* BASE jumps from that perspective.

As the new things are shown to be repeatable, though, they eventually become accepted, though grudgingly and slowly.

Aerials, going stowed low, wingsuit proximity flying--they may not all seem completely sane, but they are a lot more accepted than they were at first.

I think it will be a while before the BASE community embraces tandem BASE, though, because not only is it completely counter to our need to individually control our fate, but when the inevitable accident happens, the public backlash could be fierce. It's hard to predict.

I have no clue whether tandem BASE will come to be accepted, by the public or by the BASE community, but it does make me uncomfortable. I do believe, though, that if anyone can make it work, Abbie can.

I wish all the best of luck with it.

Walt

That. Was a great post.

It's my understanding that in Idaho the tandem BASE is PCAd only. Have any whuffos freefallen there? Have any experienced jumpers freefallen?

From the Bridge Day website it says,

"experience a 2 to 4 second free-fall"

Ted and Robin did freefall it

Do the tandem BASE instructors have any experience of tandem freefall?