Andy_Copland

As Tom said, i didnt go there to BASE. I went to skydive and found an opportunity. 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

Trying to untangle myth, flat out lies and truth from people you have never met is damn tough. I heard good things, i heard bad things and i heard down right laughable things. Tater is a friend and i am also friends with a jumper who doesnt like the guy. All i could do was watch and make my own judgement. Tater is my friend and if that makes people take a dislike to me then they show lack of moral fiber. So all i could do was make my own choice at that time. 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

OK here's the score. Potato did give me training, i saw him packing a BASE rig and went over to watch quietly in deep thought, all the stuff i had been reading over a year and a half started making even more sense as i watched the pack job (just for example the tailgate.) I started asking questions and noticed he was doing honking big heel stows etc and wanted to know why. After all this it took about a month for me to approach him and ask him to help me out. I HAVE done my canopy drills and put a few jumps on a Fury 220, im current as all hell right now. Im not an arrogant go lucky guy who thinks i wont get hurt or die. I'm very realistic about my mortality and i dont need to explain the fear to you guys, you know. I sat at the bottom of the tower with my back the the fence practicing exits with potato saying "not good enough, not good enough, not good enough" before he was happy. I ran over everything in my head that i knew about canopy control and what to do in the event of an off heading opening. Then i sat there for a good solid 5 minutes at the bottom of the Antenna looking up at the lights then the rig on the floor just battling to get my hands to pick the rig up and start climbing. I've never picked up such a heavy object as that rig. All while tater said nothing and let me make my own choice and fight my own battle. Taking a break on the climb i watched the sweat drip from my head down past a couple of lights and blowing in the little breeze there was. The rest is something i cant describe in any words i know, you know what i mean. When all is said i done i KNOW i took a bigger risk than is desirable, with choice of object, gear and general skydiving experience (or lack of.) But i did it, its everything and nothing at the same time. Everything to me and nothing because its a single jump. But nothing you guys on this board can say can take away the single worst and best experience of my life thus far. You guys slam Tater and i dont know about his history, but at the same time the guy said the most important thing to me which was "dont be afraid to back down, if it doesnt feel right listen to your body, it is not right." I have read every post in this thread and only had to ignore a couple (ones offering no advice) and recieved and am thankful for the PM's i have had. At the same time i dont understand where people get the idea that i want to go home and start jumping off random objects and be welcomed home. Living, learning, listening, not regretting. Andy 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

No respect? You dont even know me. Sitting at the bottom of that tower looking up after jumping was the most humbling experience of my life. 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

True But at the same time i wont ask this to be locked or apologise. I done all my apologising on the tower. 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

If you done something you felt was right at the time and had someone call you a twat how would you feel? especially someone you considered a friend. 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

I've been skydiving almost 2 years. When i first saw skydiving it was a thing that was unatainable, let alone BASE jumping. I started skydiving and the more i done it the more i realised that i could achieve the things i wanted. Bash me all you want Craig, it doesnt matter because nothing in the world can take away what i done. its not macho bullshit or "look at me i jumped..." Its a real sense of pride in a humble way. 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

I met you and i listened. edit to remove threat of physical violence ~TA Whatever Mac, you were the first person to admit that you went about it the wring way. Find reason. 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

Thanks Tony 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

Because im living at the DZ in a foreign country and ran myself flat broke, just so i could get this opportunity. Im all packed ready for sunset load, if you can think of a better way i should spend my time id like to hear it. 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

Oh yea, i repeat, get over yourself ***Real Name:almo supreme commander of the universe/*** 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

Thanks for the personal attack. I think that tells me enough about you. Like i said, im happy with my decision. Edit: Cry for attention? get over yourself. 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

I listened to what they said and i still carry it. For someone paying for their own jumps i'd say 66 in a month is pretty current working on canopy drills I dont plan on going back to the UK expecting to be welcomed and i accept that. All i ask is that people take a step back and remember their hunger for this shit and put themselves back in my position. 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

No worries mate 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

I hear ya. 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

So if i built my own rig and jumped it from a cliff that would be better? Kudos to that guy because that wasnt dangerous or unsafe. How about getting a guy who jumped in '66 to jump at bridge day instead? (rip) Flame me all you want, i done something that i know wasnt an ideal way to start BASE. But you know what? Im happy with it. I didnt burn any sites or piss off any locals, they all know i jumped it. 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

It was an actual bridle. 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

It was the actual bridle that tore from friction (on the tower). Not the connection. He locked himself into the tower and i done a double exit count as i lost my nerve on the first. He just sat there, said nothing and let me do my thing. No pressure, it was all my decisions. So before you slam the guy i'm not a kid who jumps on the band waggon. I'm an adult and make my own choices. And i know enough to know it wasnt the smartest choice but lets face it. BASE isnt safe is it? 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

I believe so. Before the jump there was another friend who was gonna go and was talking it all up while i just sat quiet because i really didnt know if i was going to do it. Physically picking up the rig and putting it on was nearly as tough as making my legs push off. Was sick. Launching head up his pretty intimidating when a rigs pushing against an object making you lean forward with your arms fully extended. 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

AM tower at night that broadcast gospel music and landing area was a graveyard, pretty sick for a first jump eh? PCA'd from about 325ft and the bridle ripped clean off. Perfect night and nice path to shoot for that was clear as day when my sight adjusted. Thanks PotatoHead™ Peace. 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

L&B strike again and thats why i wont buy any other. 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

Its a figure of speech, just for that you dont get spanked....hard 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

Just get your arse down here and save that cash 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.

Drink your Liverpool victory beer and shut the fuck up! 1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue.