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Hi everyone

I know there are a lot of “I’m new need advice” posts here. I know I’m just another one, and no one owes me anything, but I am really thankful for anyone who replies. I will also do my best to reply to everyone, it’s the least I can do.

I’m going to be off skydiving student status soon, and I know it’s possible to immediately work towards BASE (source 1 source 2). I also know that downsizing, the natural way my instructors will take me, is not progress (source 1 source 2). BASE jumping is something I’ve wanted to do, but with so little years of youth left, I’m afraid that if I miss this chance I will be unable/reluctant to pick it up in the future (due to commitments and responsibilities); this is a serious sport with consequences. When I head into my thirties I can then use that time to explore skydiving; it’s a much more forgiving sport.

To this end, I also hope to increase my understanding and knowledge of BASE so that I can make an informed decision. While I can read online and watch discussion threads, I also hope to learn by being a part of the community, doing ground crew or other work just to see more about the sport and understand it before I make a commitment which direction I should head towards.

What does the community think? Is it a good idea to explore BASE before skydiving? Is there any way I can find out more by engaging the community (eg ground crew/meet-ups)? What experiences do you have personally?

I’m from near Sydney, NSW, Australia, is there anyone around me who would be willing to chat (even if it’s only online)?

Any help/advice/tips in any form is very much appreciated!

edit: Many thanks to all those who have replied in any form! As my wifi should be running out, I'll continue tomorrow!

What DZ are you skydiving at?

Thanks for the reply!

At the moment I go to Picton but it's really far away so I'm not adverse to going somewhere near Newcastle.

I sent you a PM.

I've attached a couple .pdf files to this post, with some recommendations for preparation and also some canopy drills. Focusing on the canopy skills on a large 7 cell F-111 canopy is going to help you prepare for BASE much more than just banging out skydives.

It's certainly a better idea to explore skydiving before BASE, because your injury rate is going to be a lot lower that way.

Not to say it can't be done--just that it's not a good idea.

Thanks for the documents, and for setting me on the right path


A previous poster mentioned that his 1500 flights on a highly loaded elliptical canopy/tandem rig didn't help his base (in fact harmed it), that's why I was thinking of skydiving a BASE canopy, and not 'exploring skydiving' by freeflying or downsizing. Of course your opinion will matter more though!


That's exactly why I want to BASE before I skydive, because later in life I'll have more commitments. I'm not hoping to rush into things though, and if I need 400 skydives on a F-111 I'm gonna get it done! I just don't think it's a good idea to move from a navigator to a sabre2 to a velo and then decide, hey I've more than enough jumps to 'do BASE', no?

I did my first base jump at 39 years old. It isn't like playing tennis or basketball where your fitness level is so closely correlated with your ability to perform.

For me, this much later start down the path likely added years to my life.b
More skydives before starting (I had ~250) would made the experience less stressful and more rewarding.
Maturity, sound judgment, and canopy experience will help keep you alive & healthy.

The op has a good argument, everyone keeps saying the objects arnt going anywhere, the problem is that life is! it doesnt take long for life to take you so far away from them youve missed the boat.
Good luck hope you dont miss out.

I never thought I'd write these words but, I agree with imparticus. OP, you appear to have a good head on your shoulders. Use it in exercising good judgment (which is largely attained through experience, both personal and vicarious).

Ive wanted to base since I was a teenager. I did skydiving only for as long as I could stand staying away, finally making my first base jump at 28. Then I stalled again, trying not to get into it. Then I earned my riggers rating, thinking it would help me be a safer jumper. Finally I accepted I needed to go forward and embrace it.

Ive just recently hit 20 base jumps and have my own gear, going to brento in July.. etc. etc.

I like my path. Its slow. I could die on my next jump, but still..I like going slow. Sounds like you do too.

I think its good you waited. Go slow. Seek top rated education. Learn basic rigging skills. Spend your skydives working on tracking, 7 cell canopy skills, and practice the base pack job. Then go make a shit ton of jumps off of a forgiving object. Id reccomend taking Toms SRB course before you order gear. You might even choose to rent some gear from him afterwards while you make a bunch more bridge jumps at twin, thinking hard about this sport and how much you want to invest.

Thanks for your sharing, I do appreciate a counter-perspective

I feel that at that age, I would say have a young kid, career starting to stabalise, and marriage that needs to keep going strong. Everyone is at different places in life, but I feel that's not the best time to start.

I don't mean to rush into things, and if I have to put 400 skydives on a f-111 before even the potato bridge, I will. I just don't feel, from what I've heard, moving towards a katana over the next few years is the best training for BASE.

Thanks for the well wishes!

People who say "cross the bridge when you reach it" sometimes forget that not crossing the bridge could mean the gate is closed. I'm not saying I will rush into things, but part of making an informed decision is starting to collect information even when on student status.

Trust me, I've not always been like that, hence why I realise the importance of good judgement. That's why I hope to engage the community, even if it means giving my time just to hear the most insignificant story. It's about collecting information and being satisfied with my judgement.

Thanks for the advice! I won't be rushing, it's just whether my first purchase will be a BASE canopy or a Sabre2.

Just to clarify: I'm not asking for a mentor. I know there is a lot more responsibility and trust in a mentor-student relationship than many fathers have and will ever show their children, and it is a tremendous request.

I'm hoping to find out more, and I fully understand I have to give to the community first. Even the most insignificant story shared over a beer means something to me!

Skydiving is the easiest way to stay current and comfortable in the air. BASE jumps are hard, take a lot of effort and planning, and frequently get nixed due to weather/legal/etc. conditions. For me, as a normal guy with a day job, 2-3 BASE jumps makes for a good month.

Skydives are easy to come by though. You can knock out 15-25 a month no problem.

That's valuable airtime which helps keep the rust away. Is it absolutely necessary? No. But I wouldn't be so quick to overlook it.

I'm still a beginner with less than 50 base jumps, so keep that in mind when considering my opinion.

Skydiving and concentrating on canopy skills is great, however down the road you may need more than just canopy skills.

In Australia to my knowledge most of the jumps are low, so for you maybe terminal or close to terminal flying skills might never be used.

But if you don't have them it may catch you out if you go overseas and jump some big walls further down the road.

I've jumped with one guy who has heaps of sub terminal base jumps but very few skydives ( less that 250) and he very nearly fucked up on one of his first big wall cliffs. Less than ideal exit, and not skilled/experienced enough to comfortably fly it out into a good track.
Actually touched the wall on opening, but was fine.

I myself had several thousand skydives before base.

And i believe my experience at freeflying helped me survive one big wall jump when shit went wrong ( and i also think my skydive freefly experience really helped on all of my big wall jumps )

I had my only bad exit so far on a big wall, I got distracted by a wasp nest I'd disturbed, ( a bit of a phobia for me) and so I rushed my exit. Ended up flying head down, back to the wall.

However I was comfortable, was able to turn it 180 and into a track away.
If i did not know how to freefly i think that could have been my last jump, or at least I would have maybe had to open high and close to the wall, or I could have become disoriented

It really surprises me that people are happy to jump big walls when they cannot skydive freefly well - head up or head down, do good freefly transitions, track well on back and front or transition smoothly and on heading in tracks etc.

Like i said I'm a beginner base jumper. but whenever any skydiver has asked me for advice about base, I've always suggested getting good at tracking in groups, backtracking, transitions in track, atmo, and being good at freeflying - particularly head down before they go jump off big walls.

Which for mere mortals will likely take more than the ' at least 200 skydives' magic number I always hear being thrown around

p.s I have heaps of skydives so I realize that I'm clearly going to biased about how relevant skydiving skills are to BAse. But in my experience of base I found them to be very relevant for me.

Thanks for your sharing.

I'm actually worried that I'll have more commitments later in life, and that I'll be unwilling/unable to do this next time if I procrastinate excessively. Not saying I want to rush, just saying I want to do BASE skills in the air and not freefly.

Thanks for your perspective and insight.

I guess it's about finding a balance between BASE skydives and freefly skydives Time (youth) is also a resource too!

Take a PD "Storm" if you can find one. Seven cell, opens, flies and lands just great and is better adapted for skydive wingsuit. (should you ever decide to go that way)

I would stop worrying about the future, a million things could happen.
I did my first jump a few years ago when I was 40
If you want to do it, do it, if you aren't sure then its probably not for you

Thanks for the advice!

What about I want to do it in my life, but don't know if I can do it as a responsible father/husband/breadwinner in 10 years time.

who says you are going to be alive, married, a father, healthy or employed in 10 years time?

It's possibility I'm prepared for.

I can say for sure that doesn't describe me now and very very likely not for the next few years.

Your welcome. Plan for the future, live for the day.

I hear you.

And for lower base jumps you have the right idea of 'base skills' ie canopy skills. And it makes sense to concentrate on them if its only lower jumps you will be doing. ( and if you are in a hurry - which you sound like you are)

I've never jumped in Australia but from the videos I've seen it seems like the landing areas are almost all very hardcore. Some are the tightest landing areas I've ever seen. Next level shit. So the better your canopy skills for sure the better your odds.

MY post was just to say that in my opinion for big wall jumping freeflying IS a base skill - one you might want to have in your skillset prior to jumping places like Switzerland or Norway etc ( IMO ) if you ever end up, or intend to end up jumping at such places or similar.

Finding yourself head down for the first time next to a rock wall you need to track away from in order to live is not the greatest time to learn head down flying.

Changing the subject - something relevant to lower base jumps you might want to work on while you have the time is to go get some Diving experience. Like high diving-board diving. Into water

If your local pool has a high dive board. Or if there is a high water jump into a river or whatever near you.

Getting some training form a Dive instructor is a good idea if there is one. Even if you never want to do aerobatic base ( i don't) it will still help you in awareness and skill.

Fitness is also something you can work on which will help you with base jumping, if you are not already in good shape.

I think it's great that you are seeking advice on how to get into base safely and best of luck to you regardless of what your decisions may be.

Why do you want to get into base though? What about it draws you to it? If it is something you think you'll really love to do, then it may be difficult to just do it for a few years and then quit.

Thanks for the well wishes

I want to BASE jump because I feel it's a unique experience, much like the first skydive for many others. It's something I want to try at least once in my life, for the experience and understanding.

I can't say what draws me to it; I know that skydiving just puts a smile on your face, while having a 'peaceful' yet 'rushing' feeling, it's basically a transcendental experience, and I believe the same will be for BASE, but in a different way.

I know it may be difficult to do and then quit, but if I really love it I may make the choice to marry late (say 40 years old), as a guy that's an option. Alternatively, I might find ways to do it safely and not push limits, based upon years of experience.

Thanks for all these tips It really adds a varied and essential perspective.

It seems to be a better option to engage the community after an FJC or some jumps, but I'll definitely bear in mind what you said.

I'm sure platform diving also helps with just dead air awareness in general.

This.

It's a little like trying to get into heroin before you get married. You know, because wives are always so uptight about heroin.

Lol awesome analogy. you really do diminish the pool of fish that are interested in you when they find out that you jump off bridges and antennaes.

LOL. So true. My wife loves that I jump. Or not.

That's why it's an option to jump young and look for others once you're 30, or even 40

i got into skydiving over 30, and into BASE at almost 40; except for the hikes, it doesnt seem to bother me much..

Really depends on everyone!

As someone who's never done it before, I can't say that I can do it responsibly while having other commitments like family/wife/career. Maybe if I've started jumping I'd find a way to do it safe or choose to give it up, but I can't judge where I'm standing now.

You have a lot of super experienced and talented locals in your area to get in contact with, and theres even a great object within 10 minutes of one of DZs in your area, if not where you actually jump.

I had the great opportunity to jump quite a few of the exits around sydney, and even open a new one last year. There are two stereotypes in BASE that I have found to be true.

1. Russians are as crazy as everyone says
2. Australian landing areas are as bad as everyone says

I'm not trying to skip sky jumping

I just want to know whether I should work towards freeflying an elliptical or put a BASE canopy in a skydiving rig!

You keep talking like skydiving = freefly/swooping.

It doesn't

Well definitely I don't see myself getting to know any BASE jumpers (except those I run into at the DZ); I can fully understand it though.

I guess it's best for me to get my jump numbers up before I start looking to know the community.

That's the direction I would take my skyjumping if I didn't focus on BASE skills

And Russian Base jumpers living in Australia are great to party with ;)

Dude, hunt down the base jumpers in NSW and do everything you can to get them to let you join them on their hikes thru the blue mountains. Ive been to some of the coolest spots in Australia just out bushwalking with local jumpers :)

You will find very experienced people at both DZs in your area and if you havent yet, you really should get out to Elderslie! There is much more of a "community" there.

Haha last I searched all 4 BASE jumpers I know of were not at Picton :(

Skydiving's taken a quick backseat (overseas) but I'll be getting back to it when I'm back

I'll keep you updated on my progress

You should just focus on getting your jump numbers up.

Keep jumping, go visit some other DZs (e.g. Elderslie, Moruya), hang out with people, and you eventually will get the skills, experience, and meet the people that you are after.

Just be prepared for it to take time. Sounds like you have the right idea though.

Yep Thanks for the reply.

This isn't something I can force. Someone also said that once I get my jump numbers up and/or go for an FJC it'll be a lot easier to join the community.

A very common mistake. I've been ridiculed for my low skydive numbers. However, ALL of my skydives, 95% of them are solo hop-and-pops, have been BASE oriented. Even during AFF, when I was under canopy, I was doing the BASE canopy drills off the PDF file that Tom shared with you. It's all about preparation.

I went from a Navigator 220 to a Navigator 240 to a Raven III 249 to (various)BASE canopies 260's and 280's and up...

Sounds like you're getting fatter ;)

Exactly, it's not how much time you put into your practice but how much practice you put into your time.

In my opinion, BASE is more about psychology than technique. I mean -- you only need half a brain to climb an antenna, jump off, trow a PS, turn and flare to land. Even easier is someone holds onto your PS. But the mental component of planning, preparation, keeping control of your feelings (which in turn influence your emotions) plays a great part because everything happens very quickly in BASE, you need to be 100% focused.

I suggest that you watch a BASE move called "The Bridge to Nowhere" (In's on YouTube, it is in Russian but has YouTube subtitles) -- they show a fatality where a jumper turned up at the exit point after a long night of partying, was talking on the phone standing on the edge and lighting a smoke flare - all the same time. He had a bad exit and died impacting a cliff.

The reason I raise this point is because as soon as your family finds out that you are involved in a sport that has an extreme chance of making you a qatro/paraplegic, a vegetable or a dead man -- they will most likely try to talk you out of it every chance the'll get. And being Asian (as I gathered from looking at your Facebook), there must be an expectation of you to look after your family as they grow old. Be prepared for the mind battle. It fucks with your brain even if they don't actively engage you with these conversations (which they will) because you yourself will be thinking about it as part of the risk-assessment that we all do. But don't count on the easy option -- most likely they will be saying something.

Managing family and relationships is the toughest part of BASE. Probably the toughest (managing injuries comes next, I believe).

Loosing your current non-jumper friends is another consideration you would be forced to make. The more you get involved with the sport, they less interesting you become to the society because your conversations will be around a totally foreign and incomprehensible subject. The good news is that friendships are made quickly in the BASE community (in general) however be prepared to loose or significantly distance your current friends. And girlfriends too, actually -- don't get me wrong, they might be Ok with watching a video of you going off a bridge at a party but when you get up at 4am to go jump that bridge and then disappear for the entire weekend to practice jumping at your local DZ, then spend all your money on gear, then instead of doing a Club Med romantic trip you go for three weeks to PB, living out of a shitty motel and jumping your ass off while she stands on the bridge either bored shitless or scared shitless -- well, that's your relationship breaker right there, mate. Logistics of jumping in Australia is even tougher so the hours are even crazier, travel distances are greater and girlfriends are angier :)

We all get into this sport for various tactical reasons but with the same strategical reason -- to mentally better our selfs. Since BASE is primarily a mind game, we all join this game to alter that part of our personality that we believe could do with improvement. We do it consciously or sub-consciously but we all do it.

Let's face it - there should be nothing fun about an interrupted suicide attempt. But being able to take control of your emotions (which we cannot control directly by the way -- they are hard-coded into our brain by millions of years of evolution, but we can take conscious actions which control our feelings which in turn invoke emotions) is very rewarding. I have mates who are in special forces and they compare it to going into a full-on assault where you have a great chance of dying in a fire fight. Other people see different parallels. Some do not see parallels at all treating it like any other sport but most people I've met in the community treat BASE is like a mental gym. Some do it more than others, but this is the reality that I see around me.

Regardless of what YOU will end up working on inside your head, BASE could be the vehicle to get you there. But vehicles can be a fun ride, a practical transport or a deadly killing machine so if you are not mentally prepared -- or at peace -- with yourself, it has the capacity to fuck you up both physically and mentally, destroy the relationship you have with your family, friends, work, study, and on and on. So, for example, if you were hoping to become more independent of your family as time goes by, then BASE could be the vehicle to get you there -- you will mature very fast and grow pretty wise, pretty quickly.

Thanks a lot for the time to write all this! Appreciate your thoughts and advice.


I've heard about it but haven't gotten down to watching it, I will!


Actually, the rest of my family know about the contents of this post. They haven't talked me out of it, or, for that matter, displayed any hint of negativity towards it. It could be because they don't know how dangerous BASE is or maybe they are just giving me space and not being to restrictive.


If nothing goes wrong, I shouldn't have to support anybody in my family (either in terms of necessity or obligation). Nonetheless, life has a habit of throwing curveballs and I want to be prepared for every possibility


Hence why I hope to start young! The later in life, the more things there are to think about (career, family, relationships). If I start young, I have less responsibilities and can weigh my options better in the future.

Well guys, I have just finished watching "The bridge to nowhere". Here are my thoughts:

1) Yes, BASE is dangerous. It is completely different to see cool stuff on youtube/epic.tv and to watch "the bridge to nowhere". It does make me stop and pause and think what I want about BASE. Do I feel that I still want to do it? I still do. Do I feel that I want to be prepared and mitigate the risk? Definitely.

2) Someone once said something along the lines that it's one thing to think you're ready (even after enough skydives), it's a completely different thing to stand at the exit point and still think you're ready. The point of this post to engage the community is really to understand it fully, to see it from a closer perspective, and to make a better informed decision. All my decisions (in other areas as well) all constantly change base on information that I have. Maybe I will one day decide not to take it up, maybe I won't. But I definitely will make an informed decision.

3) I also read somewhere that we will never really be able to know how prepared we are to see someone's passing. Of course it depends on a lot of factors like how well we knew the person, our emotional state at the time, whether the person passed in front of our eyes, etc... Sometimes though, we have to put ourselves into situations where this might be a possibility. We will have to make our own decision, based on information and experience, whether we are willing to put ourselves in such a position.

What do you guys feel about my reflections? Anything I'm thinking wrong or missing out?

+1 to all of that.

I think this underlines one of the core problems in BASE nowadays. People coming into the sport only look at youtube and think BASE is all fun and games and being rad and epic. And not spend a single thought on the fact that stuff can (and will, trust me) go terribly wrong. And they actually need to see a graphic clip from the internet to realize "holy fuck!" and only after seeing the carnage they start to think whether BASE is something they want to do or not. Whereas they would just use their brain and do some calculated thinking that yes, jumping off cliffs / buildings / whatever is horribly horribly dangerous and yes, you will see people get killed and injured and by a good chance injure yourself as well. And might even get yourself killed.

I think no one, absolutely no one, should enter the sport without being crystal clear about the fact that what you will (trust me, you will) experience is not the epicness and radness of what you see in youtube but the horror and pain of watching and experiencing death and carnage among your friends.