Just wondering??

[covey 0]

Did every good BASE jumper start out skydiving? I have seen all the posts about minimums before trying BASE. I am going to get more canopy experience through skydiving don't get me wrong. But hasn't there been jumpers that went straight into BASE. I don't want this labelled as a troll post. So i am just going to read the replies and not respond.

Believe those who are seeking truth. Doubt those who find it. -Andre Gide

[Brokeneagle 0]

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Did every good BASE jumper start out skydiving?

No, little brother- I'd have to say it depends on who you know as to how you get into BASE; I know of a couple of jumpers who started BASE jumping before they ever made their first skydive out of a plane- remind me to introduce you to a BASE boy-wonder;he usually jumps with us- he did kinda like you on AFF, one level after another, but got his BASE instead... now those kind of folk are few and far between- and the minimums spoken of here are for skydivers who are thinking about making the switch- it's a very different kind of jumping-

Brokeneagle.

I'm really very gentle, no matter what my kung-fu teacher says... he is giving me a reputation I do not deserve!

[Dd0g 0]

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No, little brother- I'd have to say it depends on who you know as to how you get into BASE; I know of a couple of jumpers who started BASE jumping before they ever made their first skydive out of a plane- remind me to introduce you to a BASE boy-wonder;he usually jumps with us- he did kinda like you on AFF, one level after another, but got his BASE instead... now those kind of folk are few and far between- and the minimums spoken of here are for skydivers who are thinking about making the switch- it's a very different kind of jumping.

I was trying to think of a politically correct answer to the initial query, and you pretty much nailed it on the head.

Not every good BASE jumper stared with skydiving. However, before anyone decides that this is a quicker way to get into BASE without the hassle of those AFF jumps, a metaphor:

There are climbers out there who pretty much started climbing at a V8/.13a level right off the bat. From there, they quickly moved up to V10/8A climbing and have never looked back. Sharma was putting up .13d routes less than two years after starting (remember his Ubermensch in the Needles? Sick!). However, mere mortals don't follow this path.

Remember, it's piss easy to make BASE jumps. It's much harder to become a BASE jumper, and to stay a jumper without dying or being mortally injured. Only by accomplishing the latter does anyone earn my respect.

Peace,

D-d0g

+~+~+~+~
But this, surely, was the glory that no spirits, canine or human, had ever clearly seen, the light that never was on land or sea, and yet is glimpsed by the quickened mind everywhere.

[kokaneegirl 0]

Remember, it's piss easy to make BASE jumps. It's much harder to become a BASE jumper, and to stay a jumper without dying or being mortally injured. Only by accomplishing the latter does anyone earn my respect.

Peace,

D-d0g