Wingsuit champ remembered
WINGSUIT racing trailblazer Chris Byrnes has been remembered as a “charismatic” and “charming soul” after he died in a BASE jumping accident in Switzerland.
The 34-year-old Toowoomba man took up wingsuit racing and BASE jumping in his mid-20s after being inspired by some of the greats of the sport, Jokke Sommer and Jeb Corliss.
Within five years, he had set multiple world records, opened several new flight paths from atop some of the tallest mountains in Europe, won dozens of championship titles and earned the respect of his idols and peers.
Chris was the youngest of 11 children born to Graham and Terry Byrnes.
He excelled at sport from a young age and played first grade cricket for Western Districts in Toowoomba shortly after graduating from Centenary Heights State High School in 2005.
He was also handy on a skateboard and was known at the Chalk Drive Skate Park as the “King of the Manuals”.
Despite his talent, Chris was initially a shy and pensive child until he discovered the philosophy of Alan Watts and was driven by his words.
It was through sheer force of will that Chris transformed his personality, let go of fear and embraced the world.
Within a matter of years, he became the person so fondly remembered as the life of the party.
“It has been an honour to have lived a moment with the charismatic, charming soul that is Chris Byrnes,” friend Shane Turner said.
“One of our last conversations was tackling the world of speed and working out how to be faster than our best.
“He was always looking to be a better version of himself and to share his experiences with those around him.”
Chris learnt to parachute at Toogoolawah and progressed to teaching others the craft. When he was qualified to wingsuit fly he again mentored others.
John McEvoy was one of the people who taught Chris to fly at the Snake River BASE Academy in Idaho and took him on some of his early wingsuit jumps.
“Chris was solid, extremely motivated and had an infectious energy,” he said.
“He was extremely motivated to be one of the best in the world. He went on and actually did it.”
Chris loved the mountains of Europe where he set several world records including BASE total speed after jumping off “The Ecstasy Board” on the Eiger, Switzerland, and clocking 333kmh.
He set a world record for the King’s Challenge and was at one point the fastest man in the world. In recent months he achieved a long-held dream of being the first wing suiter to record a flare over 100 metres.
Friend Jeff Weatherall said Chris lived by the motto to always be like the “Major of the Town”.
“(The motto) means we look after those around us, the community and everyone we come in contact with. Say ‘hi’ to that stranger, spread a smile, and help someone in need,” he said.
As someone who jumped off cliffs for a living, Chris knew the dangers and was prepared to meet death.
He would start every jump with the countdown, “three, two, one, dream” because if the worst happened then he wanted his final words to mean something.
“That would be my one word message to humanity – dream,” Chris would often say.
“Let your imagination run wild and anything that you want is yours.”
Chris was cremated at a small service in Switzerland on Thursday.
His ashes will be released over parachute grounds in Toogoolawah and Jurien Bay at a date to be set.