skreamer

Bust GC'ing BASE jumpers less than a month after your first skydive/tandem? I'm trying to think how this could've happened but I don't want to make a total tits of myself.

bring on the new blood, we're a dying breed.

Quote from Sentator Golden : Yes, wakes them up from their sleep at 3AM going 'I see BASE jumpers!'...

It was not a new canopy design, only the vents changed. I've got both canopies (both MDV), apart from the vents they are identical. After comparing my canopies, measuring lines, I asked Stane in person - he confirmed canopies are same. Changing only the vents is not a new canopy design. Hope that isn't too complicated for you.

So by this you mean it is similar to a regular Troll? I own a Troll 265 MDV and a Troll 265 DW. I've laid them out and compared them, measured the lines. They seemed identical apart from the vents (DW has 5 vents but smaller total vented area than older Troll's 4 bigger vents). I asked Stane if these two canopies were identical apart from the vents, he said they were. I own a regular Troll MDV and a DW (both 265). For slider down jumps with sketchy landing areas I prefer the regular Troll, handles better in steep, braked approaches. (not experienced at slider up, so can't compare there)

Yeah, Borat took me there 2 years ago. But he said it was too windy to jump so he made jumps with both our rigs to prove it. He was right. What a guy!

When you first start BASE it feels a bit wrong because it is so low compared to skydiving. Then when you do low SLs it feels very wrong because it is so low compared to freefall BASE jumps. That half second after you exit on a low SL will really fuck you in the head.

And to follow on from what AD said, speak to as many experienced riggers as possible and ask them about repacks. Which containers are their favourites/least favourites to repack and why. Riggers love questions like these, they lead on very easily to main riser covers, harness design etc. Just be sure to do it when they aren't busy and you will learn a lot.

Check on your local tunnel's web-page for contacts, they probably get asked questions like this quite regularly.

No, I think it is earlier in the deployment sequence - has more to do with the weight of the packed canopy once the container is open.

How about asking the place where you intend to do the training all your questions : http://www.skyventurenh.com/contact_us.html Just make sure you still have enough money left over to skydive, the freefall skills you learn in the tunnel won't help you under canopy.

That was a reference to the little skinhead who had a go at me in the tent during the boogie and got carried out. As you put it he was a little 'weird', probably off his face on speed. Sorry if the reference was too oblique.

Hey Regan, please don't bring any 'Doc Marten wearing midget skinheads on speed' with you. Next time he might land a punch and bruise one of my knees!

Tell them that getting treated in a local hospital could result in a very (HIV) postive experience.

But given that the coach fee is always small in comparison to the tunnel time, IMHO you are better off going with an experienced coach. You'll pay a little more but you'll learn faster (and safer). I won't pay a tunnel coach because of their skydiving skills so they can get some free tunnel time (and a little cut by using their cheaper block rate), I pay for a coach because they have proven experience in teaching people to fly better in the tunnel.

Good point Ed, I think this applies equally to freeflyers too. In-air skills mean nothing if you don't have the discipline and awareness to fly your slot responsibly.

Nice flying, good camerawork Nigel.

Dude, I thought 'Impact' was funny but 'Top Gun' is just downright hilarious! Talk to me Goose!

He is correct. Also, there is an established rule in BASE that whenever a skydiver wrongly tries to claim beer from a BASE jumper for a BASE first that said skydiver then has to buy the BASE jumper a bottle of single malt of the BASE jumper's choice. Sorry, but when you try to enforce skydiving rules in BASE you have to be punished. Hope your friend enjoys his whiskey.

Yeah, I'll third that. Fabian has both the in air coaching experience and the tunnel coaching and competitive experience. He knows how to teach and is a lot of fun to be around. Paul might own the business but Fabian owns that tunnel.

Goodbye Eddie, you were a friendly guy, a real gentleman - this is a big loss.

Is this the guy who loves pink more than Avery? I have heard of this one, we await his return...

Actually zero is probably the answer. Mac had an invite to the UK crane boogie and respectfully turned it down (he doesn't go for the high profile stuff). I sneaked my way onto that load and made 9 jumps (plus another jump that night with Belgian Johan). I had one of the best days of my life, Mac might've done a solo that night and felt the same - to each their own. Generally I only take an occasional hit from the BASE pipe, but I've got some friends who have a sub-terminal needle hanging from each eyeball with an intravenous static-line on the side. I jump enough to keep me happy and sane and that is good enough for me. As for this 'prissy posse vs. the we're so fuckin' rad crew' bullshit - I reckon all of you should take a break from that stupid fucking bridge and come make some jumps back out in the real world.

Same, back then Chuck helped me out a lot with canopy and life stuff. Wrote me some long PMs with straight up advice. I trusted the monkey back then and I've never regretted it.

Best BASE jumper in the world? That is easy : everyone who isn't next on the list. I look forward to visiting again and trying to climb faster than your granny (with one leg). Tell my hero John he is still my god and the shrine is growing...