BASE Jumping

History

BASE jumping originated in the late 1700’s. The sport involves a parachute jump from a fixed object. ‘BASE’ is an acronym for Building, Antenna, Span and Earth, the four categories of objects from which a jump can be made. Jumps have been made from airplanes, skyscrapers and bridges and even from the Statue of Liberty!

BASE jumpers may use skydiving equipment but they jump from much lower heights than skydivers. Most BASE jumps are made from an altitude of less than 610 m.

One of the reasons this sport has not become very popular is the high fatality rate. Carl Boenish, a great jumping enthusiast who coined the acronym BASE, himself had a fatal fall off a cliff in Norway in 1984.

Rules

Base jumpers must use the right parachute— an extra large one that will open faster than the one used in skydiving.

The fall should be proper. If the jumper tumbles, he will get trapped in the parachute.

The jumping path should be clear of trees and rocks to ensure a safe fall.

Legends

For BASE jumpers and skydivers across the world, Austrian Felix Baumgartner is the best BASE jumper in the world today. He is described variously as a ‘human bullet’, ‘daredevil birdman’ or the ‘modern Icarus’ and holds several world records. In 2007, he became the first person to BASE jump off Taipei 101, Taiwan, then the tallest building in the world.

Donald Cripps, from the US, was recognised as the world’s oldest BASE jumper when he was aged 84 years and 37 days.