How to Start BASE Jumping?

Posted on Nov 7th, 2008 | 13 comments


Hi.. My name is Amanda. My fiance is a big skydiver–has gone I think about 10 times. I want to find somewhere to surprise him to go base jumping, which is something he has always wanted to do. I was trying to look online, but can’t find a whole lot of information for places to go. I saw your website, and figured maybe you could point me in the right direction. We live in Denver, but I’m willing to drive wherever. Any help at all would be appreciated. Thank you!!!
Amanda

Dear Amanda,
What a nice fiancee you are! He is a lucky guy :) Skydiving is definitely the door into BASE jumping. My good friends at Apex BASE, Jimmy Pouchert and Marta Empinotti, are the best BASE teachers I know of. They actually run first-time jumper BASE courses at the Perrine Bridge, in Twin Falls, Idaho. The price is extremely reasonable, and unbelievably worth it, for the knowledge and experience you gain in a two-day period.

Over a weekend at the bridge, Jimmy and Marta teach jumpers everything they need to know to start BASE jumping safely (well, it’s all relative of course!).

And not only that, once you have taken their bridge course, you are always welcome to come and join them again on other courses they have.

Almost everyone agrees that you should have AT LEAST 100 skydives, before learning BASE. Most people would tell you it’s better to have 200. I think Jimmy and Marta require course applicants to have 100.

They teach students how to check wind conditions and landing areas, how to pack a BASE rig, how to exit properly, how to make a BASE jump with a pilot chute assist (someone else holding the pilot chute), and how to progress to a stowed pilot chute, and how to identify and handle emergency situations.

I think it would be great to surprise your fiance with a future Perrine course with Jimmy and Marta, after he has completed his necessary skydives….I bet he’ll also appreciate the extra incentive to spend more time at the DZ!
xx Steph

  • Kai

    Hi Steph,

    happy belated birthday!!!
    As a climber and BASE-fascinated person, I’ve been browsing all your posts because this blog is such an amazing repository of information and infectious enthusiasm – and one of the posts revealed that your birthday is Nov. 4th! Now since this year that’s even more of a historic day!

    All the best on your amazing journeys!
    Kai

    To other readers: there’s a lot of BASE related info in the posts, since they describe Stephs whole journey into it, starting with the first skydive. Great. I’m not sure if I should be happy or sad that this info comes into my life only now, because a few years earlier I would have probably chosen to embark on a BASE journey myself. Right now, it’s not an option with a little kid. (It’s sobering to read the BASE fatality list, http://www.nitrorigging.com/documents/BFL.pdf).

  • http://current.com/items/89546563/world_record_base_jump.htm Sally F

    Hi

    Check this out, a pod we have just produced on the world’s highest base jump!!

    It’s amazing. Jumping of the highest building in the world in Dubai

    It’s at current.com

    http://current.com/items/89546563/world_record_base_jump.htm

    Sally

  • http://none Priya

    Hi there
    I didn’t want to give my email as im only 12. Im researching base jumping areas and found this come up. Anyone know any places? Im really fasciniated that you need 100 skydiving attempts until base jumping! It sounds dangerously cool!

    Good Luck with the thing!

    From

    Priya

    x

  • Wade

    Hey There!
    Im a young guy from Kentucky, looking to find the next big adventure in my life! I’ve been wanting to sky-dive for the longest time, just dont know where to start. There are a few small companies close to Kentucky, but im looking for something somewhere else. I understand it requires alot of training to become a base-jumper, but i need to know exactly what that consists of. Just seeing if u had any info for me! Thanks Alot!!

  • http://none Chris Alloway

    I have never had any skydive lessons or anything but base jumping is something that iv always wanted to do. what is the best way to get into it? how much £££ would i be looking at spending?

  • Devin

    O.K. I was just wondering what the age limit is!

  • http://visitmoabutah.wordpress.com/2010/12/02/base-jumping-moab-steph-davis/ BASE Jumping Moab – Steph Davis « Moab in Action

    [...] Steph Davis loves a wing suit, climbing and BASE jumping. Read her blog for BASE jump details around Moab and farther afield. 38.573315 -109.549840 [...]

  • Albino Valdez

    hi
    ive always wanted to go sky diving, unfortunately im underage. i recently heard about base jumping and that caught my attention. are there any places where i can go base jumping in Texas.

  • Austin

    Well since 100 skydives are usually required before BASE jumping and the age requirement to skydive is 18… Well then, I believe you can figure the rest out.

  • http://www.facebook.com/tonysodza Tony Line

    I read somewhere you have to go sky-diving 100 times before you can base jump.  Is that accurate?  I can’t afford to sky-dive 100 times!

  • Tylermuncy1

    I am 12 I live in Virginia is there any place you know I can go base jumping?

  • http://www.highinfatuation.com steph davis

    when you are 18, you can start skydiving: there are lots of drop zones in the east. If you go and start hanging out at a dz, you can start learning how to pack parachutes, which is a great way to earn money and experience the scene.

  • miss.miyas

    Hey! :)

    I live in Minnesota and have been fascinated with base jumping for a while now. I’ve never really looked too much into it, because for the majority of the time I’ve spent being interested in base jumping, I’ve also been underage. I’m finally old enough and would love to start skydiving, and eventually work my way up to base jumping. Any suggestions on places to go, instructors to seek out, etc.? Any information would be greatly appreciated. =P

    Thanks a bunch in advance,

    Miya

  • http://www.highinfatuation.com steph davis

    You should be able to find a drop zone almost anywhere: if you have a summer free, you should consider packing there to earn money while you work your way up through skydiving. It is possible to immerse yourself in the sport, and pretty quickly be earning money as you jump (from packing to coaching to camera flying). :)

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