dmcoco84

I just wanted to add something. I was just talking to a buddy about my last post and he wanted to let me know how he perceived that post. He stated that “throwing doubles off A's with 36 jumps is not a good thing for the guys who are evaluating jumpers for a high-profile event to know” and “but right, wrong or indifferent...it doesn't paint the most conservative picture to someone who doesn't know you (the organizers).” Very good points! I appreciate all constructive criticism. Yes, doing aerials at my level is definitely on the less conservative side of BASE jumping than what has generally been observed through this sports progression up to today. Every time I make a post I try to think about how others will perceive what I have said. Sometimes I catch shit for it and sometimes I make a good point and am applauded. I was aware that this and my last posts about the aerials I have done at my level would most likely be looked at negatively. But regardless I think honesty is very important and I would much rather someone know the type of jumper I am than to give false perceptions or hide the truth. Even though I am moving at a less conservative pace in my “BASE career” I feel I have taken many steps to ensure that the types of jumps I choose to do are backed by research (speaking to people first hand about technique {got some great advice on gainers at BD from Kenyon Salo, thanks again!}, reading articles like Aerials in BASE by DW, and analyzing aerial technique through repeated viewings of videos), and sport/technique specific ground training (gymnastics, diving, trampoline) like that in which I do in gymnastics. I wish I could utilize high platform dive training like those jumpers in this sport who are the best of the best in aerobatic base but there is unfortunately none in my area or within 2-3 hours (Best I have found is 3M spring which I will probably end up using. Besides BD you’ll never find a spring board at an exit point but spring is better than nothing.) One very high profile jumper stated he started doing gainers on his 13th jump. “I trained off of really big cliffs where I had a lot of time. I knew that if I messed it up I’d have enough time to recover and track away and still open safely. So most of my acrobatics in the beginning were off of very big cliffs. So that’s where I trained to start with. But I then wanted to do things a little bit more complicated…” He then talks about dive training to add twists, changing the directions of his flips and cleaning up his acrobatics to make them look nicer. I too only do aerials from high objects (with adequate wind conditions) to give me more time to deal with a problem. My aerials are also quite basic when it comes to aerobatics in BASE as a whole. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not using this person to say it’s all right for me to be doing aerials at my skill level because “he did.” I’m simply stating that with adequate training, research, “safer” and higher objects, aerobatics can be done early on and not always be looked at as a reckless decision. I definitely do not feel I am “immortal or bullet proof.” Yes, speaking about the types of jumps I do may look negatively in the eyes of an organizer and if that’s the case I can always apply next year or the year after once I have acquired more jumps and more references that would speak highly of me. At the moment I would say I have a few good references that could comment on my personality/character and a few that I have jumped with who can comment on my decisions, attitude, and abilities so far. This summer I will doing a lot more traveling and will have the ability to meet other jumpers and demonstrate to them that I am a safe jumper and that I make smart decisions. One of my biggest goals in life is to travel the world, BASE jump in as many different countries as I can while meeting and jumping with as many different people as I can. Perception is everything! And although many of you may at this moment have a negative initial perception of me with what I said in my last post, I will just have to meet more of you and prove ya wrong! L8er Coco Edit for Spelling

Wow, John is one sloppy ass packer!!!! I know there are many different ways to pack a BASE rig but I truly hope that pack job was just for the video and not for a jump because I have never seen anyone just throw their pack job down like that. That’s pretty scary!! Maybe that’s your problem right there! Pack job is a lot more important in this sport bro!! Coco

Oh Yes! I'm very carefully. But as I said from a previous post I have done a lot of work on the ground before I ever tried anything in BASE. From another post: Coco

Oh well yea! New objects are great and with the help of my DC buddies I was able to open up a new object in my area!! Thanks guys that kicked ass and I can’t wait to have you back! And I’ll be back up there after May 12th for sure!! But I’d definitely have to say that the double back flip I did off it last jump was a lot more of a rush than the flat and stable I did on my first jump off it. But yes, that first jump off a new object does have a very special and different feeling to it than subsequent jumps! Coco

BASE isn't going anywhere. Why rush? Savour the moments. You can only jump a new object once. No rush…I just love BASE. If you find something you love why only do it every once in a while… And being at the exit point is one of the most comfortable and happiest places I have ever found myself. On many occasions I have found myself ready to jump but just standing there looking over the rail at the landscape, breathing the fresh air and realizing how lucky I am to be able to take part in such a life affirming activity. I’d jump every day if I could! You can only jump a new object once?? Huh?? Coco

How many jumpers below 100 jumps were invited last year to just the KL tower? What is the last day to submit applications? I only have 36 right now but with the way I was jumping before I started EMT class (at least 3 jumps a week), in 4 weeks when EMT ends I'll be jumping that again plus multiple jumps per jump night, along with 3 days of jumping at TF for memorial day I would be suprised if i wasn't damn close to ~80-100. Coco

Yea thats a big reason why I'd rather just buy. That way I don't have to keep fixing stuff. The PF suit will last a lot longer! But I am definitally interested in how you have made your suit. Maybe down the road when I have the time I'll give it a shot. Coco

Email sent Coco

Holy Shit! That talus looked pretty close!! How high above the ground would you say you pulled on that one? Yea, Well...I'm what you could call a lazy bastard when it comes to making stuff like that so I'll probably just buy a PF track suit set. Coco

And this is BASE related how? Coco

My dad just did his first jump at BD 05. He was 50, now 51.

Damn! I wasn't even born yet! "Tipping my hat in respect to my elders" But that doesn't make you old! Coco

Yea good points. I've learned a lot of the stuff you listed but definitally not all. But this stuff can also be learned at the same time! Coco

I was 20. BD 04. Would have been at 19 but I wanted more canopy experience and also wanted to learn more about the sport as a whole before I started. I was glad with my decision. Coco

I'm a sponge, I love to learn! What kinda things you got on your mind, what do you feel should be learned first? Coco P.S. I'm going to bed. Its 3am. I'll reply in 3 hours.

Well as Tom said you want to be able to land in water. You can do that easy at Bridge Day and the boats can pick you up. Now if you can't fly your canopy into the area's of water that are good to land in than in my opinion you don't have enough canopy experience and shouldn't be BASE jumping. Yes I did start doing aerials a lot earlier than most people but I have the ground training to back it up. If I could find some damn platform diving closer than 10+ hours away I'd be doing that too. Plus every aerial I've done so far has been 850-1100 feet. So if I fuck up I have plenty of time to recover. I think it’s all about your comfort zone and what you feel your abilities can handle. At the moment I don’t think I’m pushing to hard. Now I'd definitely not be doing what I do from 900 feet out in TF. At the moment I can do 2 solid back flips come out into my track and get a good 2-3 second track before I deploy. I have spent hours watching videos of other people’s aerials, (rewinding and each time looking at a different part of their body as their do the aerial, I’ve very meticulous) and I do gymnastics (but on a hold right now due to Fire Academy, will start back up after May 12). So far I have 1 single front, 2 single back, 1 double front and 5 double back. All have been very smooth. “shrug” To each his own! Coco Edit to add: And my single back flip at BD 05.

I did mention a FJC in with Apex at TF but that is also not always doable for everyone. I did bridge day and then jumped with experienced jumpers. I didn't have the means to get out to TF and take a FJC but yes that is the best route to get into BASE. Coco In addition to what I already said you have mandatory gear checks and also free FJC's at the Holiday Inn for BD. (though not quite as extensive as an Apex course in TF)

PM'ED

How long were you two together? Coco EDIT to add: That is if you don't mind me asking.

Yes TF is very safe also! And yes it does have a much safer landing area. But I think on a whole a larger percent of new BASE jumpers do their first jump at Bridge Day. In addition to what I already said you have mandatory gear checks and also free FJC's at the Holiday Inn for BD. (though not quite as extensive as an Apex course in TF) You don't really need to static line it. Your not super low and you don't need to worry about the added consistency that a SL brings to heading performance. If you've got the balls to jump off a bridge, you should have the balls to be able to hold your PC and take a 1 second delay. But do what you gotta do. What ever makes you feel better about a jump is what counts. Coco

Thats a bag case of "easier said than done"!

I thought 18 years old for consent was a federal law? Am I wrong? Coco

Bridge day it also a great place to do your first aerial. I did my first gainer there last year on my 9th jump. I've been doing gymnastic for training for a while but didn't feel ready to try anything off of an A. After doing the gainer at Bridge Day, then acquiring a few more jumps for a better comfort level in the BASE environment, and doing more ground training, I started doing them of A's. Now I’m dialing in my double front and double back flips. Its great! Bridge day is one of the best jumps there are! Would just be nice if it was more than one day. But it’s just a matter of time thanks to people like Jason Bell. Coco

Bridge Day. New River George Bridge in West Virginia. One of the safest jumps you could make. One because of the object itself. Very little chance for object strike as long as you pass the bridge supports before you deploy (1 second delay I think) and there are also boats to pull you out of the river if you do not feel comfortable landing in the very small landing area. Its a daylight jump (most jumps are made a night) and the pressure of being sneaky and having to run from police is eliminated which makes your stress level much lower than a regular jump. My 2 cents Coco

Makes sense to me! Coco