CanuckInUSA

LOL ... good one with the accelerated BASE number through tandems. But first before we go mainstream with the BASE tandem business, I think we need a tanning saloon to start offering static line BASE jumps to the whuffos using old military rounds. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Before you ask if paying a bunch of $$$ for a FJC is too much? You need to ask yourself if BASE jumping is something you want to do, period. BASE jumping is not like skydiving and BASE jumping is not safe. But it sure can be as dangerous as you want to make it. It sounds like you need to attend a Bridge Day event and hopefully get a jump or two in. BASE jumping is a blast, but it's dangerous. The decision to make a BASE jump is not one to be taken lightly. And the decision to get into BASE requires even more thought and for certain dedication towards learning. If BASE is something you want to do, you'll find a way to do it. I recently took one of those FJCs and I am happy with the instruction that I received. Was it perfect? No ... but it was an introduction to the sport and so far (knock on wood) with the information the instructors taught me and the info I've personally researched, I've managed to make a bunch of jumps since my FJC and have improved my skill and experience in the sport immensly. But to me the key was the fact that I had certain BASE jumping goals before I even made my first jump. And part of those goals were to spend time jumping the same very legal span that many of the FJCs will take you. You see every day is Bridge Day for the fine folks who get to jump in Idaho. But if Idaho is too far ... just know that it takes myself and my friends 10 hours each way to drive there from where we live. So to me, I didn't just sink $1200 on a FJC, I made a financial commitment towards gear, gas, food, lodging and let's not forget to include some money for partying on not only the past trips I have made, but also the trips to come. BASE jumping is not safe, nor is it cheap. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Unless I'm mistaken, the Pro Swoop Tour people will be participating in the 2005 World Games (the first step towards being accepted into the Olympics). Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

You forgot to include one very important URL for all of us BASE jumpers to read. The BASE Fatalities URL. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Which OS do you use? What about the Browser? Microsoft has many holes in their OSs and Browsers and it's possible that worms/viruses are uploaded onto your box without your knowledge. Microsoft just released Service Pack 2 for their XP OSs (which addresses some of the security holes), but you might want to consider using a different browser if you're an IE user. As to how to clean up your system after it has been infected, well there is no trivial answer. It all depends of what's changed and your knowledge of the registry settings and administration tools which comes with your OS. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Wrong sport. But congrats on you B. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I already told you people. I am a part of PETA People Eating Tasty Animals Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Congrats ... but since you'll no longer be a a cube with the rest of us slugs, I guess you won't be posting as much? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

To date my most awesome jump was my 666th. A wingsuit jump out of a hot air balloon. I exited at 5400 feet, and 30 seconds later (using a GTi) I initiated my deployment at 2500 feet and according to my ProTrack was fully open by 2100. Awesome jump I tell you. But that's also because I've yet to venture into the BASE environment with a wingsuit. I'm not ready yet for this sort of devilry, but it's on my list of things to do. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

0:0:0 No jumping for me this weekend. I'm still recovering from an existing foot injury. Sucks to be grounded, but what can you do. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I was a pilot before I was a jumper. And some of my best days were the mountain flights I did over the rocks here in Colorado. But I haven't been PIC since the spring of 2003 and have decided that I get more out of skydiving (and BASE jumping) than I do out of flying. So my flying has been put on hold. At least for now. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I know this buzz you speak of (beer, coffee and well what they heck ... pot). But I've never been able to maintain it for any period of time (like an entire night). For sure with coffee (and alcohol is similar) once you go overboard and have too much, the buzz no longer exists and is replaced with that icky, I went too far feeling. With pot, I find the initial buzz to be pleasant, but every subsequent round has lesser and lesser of an effect and eventually I'm just wasting the resources as well as myself. Maybe pacing is the answer and I need to refine my techniques. Or maybe it's just an unobtainable pipe dream (maintaining the perfect buzz for the evening). Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Here's a question for you. Let's say that you and I go make a skydive. Who's more likely to get hurt and/or killed? On the surface, most whuffos would say that the lesser experienced person is more likely to be hurt and/or killed. But it just doesn't work that way. The dangers of skydiving never go away no matter how experienced a given jumper may be. If people with thousands of jumps are being severely hurt and/or killed, then the message needs to be embedded in our brains that we're all at risk and all of us are capable of messing up. It's a "Risk" vs "Reward" question that each jumper must come to grips with. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Next to politics, religion, guns, high wingloading and AADs, there is likely no other hotter topic on DZ.COM when it comes to opinions. With regards to this subject, we could make hundreds and hundreds of jumps safely and become complacent with our feelings towards the dangers. But all it takes is one moment of lapsed judgment, or worse being in the wrong place at the wrong time for our entire worlds to come crashing down on any one of us. But does that mean that we all must stop doing something we enjoy (and be like all the other whuffos)? Well I can't speak for any others but myself and my answer is "hell no". The rewards out weigh the risks. I know we are talking skydiving and not BASE (BASE being an order of magnitude more dangerous than skydiving). But there is a saying in the BASE world which can be applied to skydiving and it goes like this. "BASE jumping will never be safe. But it sure can be as dangerous as you want it to be." Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

BASE jumping? Okay the two are somewhat related ... People are fooling themselves if they think skydiving is safe. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Bummer ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

If you know what you are doing (static line the exit) and you use BASE gear (and know how to fly a BASE canopy), then sure you can survive the jump. But are you going to buy the gear just so that it'll be there for that 1 in a million chance that you will need it? Plus how current do you plan on being with setting up a BASE static line deployment system and how current will you be with flying a BASE canopy in potentially nasty conditions? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Hey Clint If you can get your hands on some BASE gear and can find someone experienced to take you out to an A in your neck of the woods. Then go for it. But as others have already said, if you really want it, get out there and seize the moment and don't let money get in the way of your dreams (but being somewhat responsible with your money is still a good idea). Plus I can't tell you what a great place the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls Idaho is to make your first "x" number of BASE jumps at. Where else can you jump legally without the fear of getting busted, jump during the day (or at night if you want night jump training). Plus this span is the perfect height (not too high, not too low), it has a decent landing area and the option for water landings if you have some sort of gear malfunction always exist. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

No the night-time wingsuit jump was made on Friday night. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Not sure I understand your question. It wasn't my first night jump nor was it my first wingsuit jump. But it was my first wingsuit jump at night and no I don't remember the moon being blue. But I did buy beer, so there's no point in saying "beer" as that opportunity has come and gone. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

0:5:1 No humps ... 5 jumps ... I was hoping for more, but my ankle still hurts. 1 case of beer owed and paid for my first night-time wingsuit dive. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Just got back from the Perrine? Congrats ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Well said, my bad. We shouldn't compare the instruction of someone who knows what they are doing compared to some wanna bee with an attitude. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Check the home DZ in my profile. In case you're too lazy to click a button, here's what it reads: "Wishing it was Eloy, but it's not". Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Yes Lou I agree that there needs to be a 3rd category, one for those of us who enjoy both BASE jumping as well as skydiving. Maybe I'm in the minority with the BASE community, but I still thoroughly enjoy my time when I'm skydiving. There are so many cool things for me to do (freeflying, tracking dives, wingsuit dives, swooping, CReW) and on at least three of those, they are things that I can use to make myself better in the BASE environment (tracking, wingsuit for BASE and CReW). But I'm also a BASE jumper (albeit just a newbie) and weather permitting I will be at the Perrine next weekend. But I am no jet setter (as someone earlier referred to some of us out of towners). I am someone who drives 10 hours each way to and from Twin Falls as I feel the drive is worth it for myself to gain some much needed experience in the slightly safer confines of the Perrine Bridge. As far as our tanning guy is concerned. I know there is one person here who is definitely qualified with the appropriate BASE experience, military gear experience and over all good guy with a good head on his shoulders capable of talking with someone without going over the deep end (BPS for those who haven't figured it out). But the question remains as to what he feels about all of this and does he think it is worth the effort to talk to the tanning guy? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over