Bridge Day 2004 Report

[base428 1]

For those of you who made it to Bridge Day 2004, thank you very much for
attending! Despite some wet weather throughout the day, 390 jumpers showed up
making 645 jumps. The winds were cooperative until about 1:30pm when a brief
storm passed by and we stopped jumping for only 25 minutes. Nonetheless, I
will always remember Bridge Day 2004. In the future, we'll be asking each
other "where you were during the storm of 2004?". It was my favorite Bridge
Day from both a jumping and organizing point of view. I'm glad you could be a
part of Bridge Day 2004.

*************************************************************
THE BASE VIDEOFEST on Thursday night had over 15 entries shown on two large
screen TV's!
*************************************************************

Congratulations to the winners of the Bridge Day 2004 Videofest:

1st Place - Continuum II by Triax Productions, which also premiered on Saturday
evening. Triax Productions won a snowboard, two T-shirts from American Eagle
Screen Print & Embroidery (www.aeprints.com), and additional T-shirts and
stickers.
2nd Place - Adrenaline Exploits (Jay Epstein) Mexico BASE that includes the Cave
of the Swallows and El Gigante. Jay won a $100.00 gift certificate or 10% off
the next purchase from Apex BASE (a merge between Vertigo BASE Outfitters and
Basic Research, www.adrenalinebase.com and www.basicresearch.com), two T-shirts
from American Eagle Screen Print & Embroidery (www.aeprints.com), and additional
T-shirts and stickers.
3rd Place - Robert Pecnik, of Phoenix Fly, and his amazing BASE wingsuit and
track pants footage. Robert won a video package donated by Triax Productions
(www.triaxproductions.com), two T-shirts from American Eagle Screen Print &
Embroidery (www.aeprints.com), and additional T-shirts and stickers.

So start capturing your jumps on tape and be a part of the Bridge Day 2005 BASE
Videofest! As you can see, there were some valuable prizes this year......next
year will be bigger and better and Donk will be the MC once again! Thanks to
all of those who entered the Videofest.

*************************************************************
ACCURACY CONTEST WINNERS
*************************************************************

Congratulations to the winners of the Bridge Day 2004 Accuracy Contest:

NOTE: I am currently trying to contact our accuracy contest judge, Budd Connor,
to confirm scores and names.....so if your name is not listed below, we will
have your information shortly. Names and scores will be posted at
www.bridgeday.info in the next few weeks.

1st Place - Brian Daniska won $150 from Vertical Visions, a plaque, 30 minutes
of windtunnel time from SkyVenture (www.skyventure.com), a certificate worth
20% off the next purchase from Apex BASE (www.adrenalinebase.com and
www.basicresearch.com), two T-shirts from American
Eagle Screen Print & Embroidery (www.aeprints.com), and additional T-shirts and
stickers.
2nd Place - won $75 from Vertical Visions, a plaque, 30 minutes of
windtunnel time from SkyVenture (www.skyventure.com), a year's worth of maintenance
for a BASE rig donated by Rigging Solutions LLC (www.riggingsolutions.us),two T-shirts from
American Eagle Screen Print & Embroidery (www.aeprints.com), and additional
T-shirts and stickers.
3rd Place - Anthony White. Anthony won $25 from Vertical Visions, a plaque, a
very cool stashbag from Morpheus Technologies (www.baserigs.com), two T-shirts
from American Eagle Screen Print & Embroidery (www.aeprints.com), and additional
T-shirts and stickers.

*************************************************************
PHOTOS
*************************************************************

Photos captured by Whitewater Photography (the crew in the boom truck basket and
in the LZ) are online and available for purchase at Whitewater Photography
(www.leisuresportsphoto.com/mp_client/pictures.asp). If you didn't get the
chance to purchase an 8x10 at the Holiday Inn on Saturday night, then please
take a look at their website and order photos online. Photos are arranged
according to the time of day and location of the photographer so you can
quickly find your photo.

Again, their website is: www.leisuresportsphoto.com/mp_client/pictures.asp

Panoramic photos of all jumpers taken outside the Holiday Inn on Friday at 6pm
and from the boom truck basket on Bridge Day will be available at
www.bridgeday.info shortly. I just got a call from the photographer and he
reports that the group photo turned out GREAT! Prices are $30 each.

*************************************************************
VIDEOS
*************************************************************

The word from Triax Productions is that both of the Official Bridge Day 2004
DVDs are in post-production and looking great! They shot a lot of really good
footage and are very pleased with how the edits are turning out so far, and are
on track for the Jan. delivery date (that'll be the earliest EVER!). I have
been asked to pass on the word that the Triax website has been updated and the
Bridge Day 2004 video is now available at www.triaxproductions.com, as are
their other "Continuum" series DVD's (package prices still available). FFI
visit the Triax website or send them an email at info@triaxproductions.com.
Please visit their website ASAP and order soon so that Triax knows how many to
run in production.

We are looking for your best BD 2004 helmet footage on miniDV tape. Please help
us document the "Rainiest Bridge Day Ever" by sending us your air-to-air
footage, funniest BD moments, or other noteworthy BD 2004 footage as soon as
possible! Please be sure to specify your name, return mailing address, and any
pertinent information about the footage. People will get credit and there is
always a possiblity of free Triax Swag if your footage is used. Thanks!

*************************************************************
BASE GEAR TRADESHOW VENDORS
*************************************************************

Vertical Visions would like to thank the following vendors who participated in
the Bridge Day 2004 BASE Gear Trade Show:

Rigging Solutions LLC (www.riggingsolutions.us)
American Eagle Screen Print & Embroidery (www.aeprints.com)
Apex BASE (a merge between Vertigo BASE Outfitters and Basic Research -
www.adrenalinebase.com and www.basicresearch.com)
Magical Creations Embroidery & Screen Printing (704-827-4829)
Morpheus Technologies (www.baserigs.com)
Asylum Designs (www.asylumbase.com)
Whitewater Photography (www.leisuresportsphoto.com)
Triax Productions (www.triaxproductions.com)

Vendors, please send me a small logo so we promote your company on
www.bridgeday.info and provide a link!

*************************************************************
LIVE TV BROADCAST OF BRIDGE DAY
*************************************************************

I was absolutely shocked to see Bridge Day and BASE jumping on Live TV this
year! We put a lot of hard work into this by helping WV Media with the live
broadcast and it really paid off. Over three hours of live TV coverage was
shown to over 1 million households in WV, KY, and OH on Bridge Day. Our
wonderful sport was shown in great detail with explanations of BASE rigs and
several interviews with jumpers. Extensive BASE footage from around the world
was also shown. If you would like a copy of the broadcast, just mail me $5 ($9 outside the US) and
your shipping address if you want a copy on DVD-R (the $ covers my shipping
costs and the DVD). Please make sure your DVD player can read DVD-R!

Mail it to:

Vertical Visions
BD04 DVD Offer
PO Box 934
Bridgeport, WV 26330

*************************************************************
OUTDOOR LIFE (OLN) CHANNEL BROADCAST OF BRIDGE DAY
*************************************************************

A condensed one-hour version of the live TV broadcast will air on the Outdoor
Life Network (OLN) on November 12 from 12:30-1:30pm EST and on December 9 from
12-1pm EST in front of 60 million households. I'm only guessing that they'll
have additional footage in this program that was not used for the live TV
broadcast. Don't miss it!

*************************************************************
LEFTOVER T-SHIRTS
*************************************************************

I have a few extra T-shirts for sale that were handed out to jumpers at Bridge
Day. Go to www.bridgeday.info for further information later this week.

*************************************************************
THANKS TO STAFF MEMBERS AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS
*************************************************************

Many, many thanks to all staff members who helped with Bridge Day 2004. Without
your help, the event could not happen. The following individuals went far
beyond the call of duty to help this year:

1) Darren Jefferson Johnson (Sporto) - For his help setting up and tearing down
the exit area on the bridge! Yes, Darren is his first name!
2) Danny Baseheart - For his continuous assistance with the new exit ramp
system.
3) Tony DiCola (Donk) - For coordinating the BASE Videofest and putting
together a great show on Thursday night.
4) JJ Schuster - For his assistance with the BASE Videofest and setting up the
big screen TV's in the ballroom.
5) Jennifer Bell - For helping me throughout the year with everything from
T-shirt designs to ID badges.
6) Bill Bird - For attending monthly meetings in Fayetteville and running the
landing zone better than anyone else could ever do.
7) Emily McCarty - For having the guts to put BASE jumping on live TV and on
OLN in November and December. Thanks!
8) Jason Hamrick (Red Bull) - For helping us with registration this year and
for sponsoring us for the 2nd year.
9) Paul Morey and Shawn Kendall - For helping me tear down the exit ramp system
and load it into my trailer on Sunday.
10) Mike Davidek and Bruce Kramer - For helping me immensely with the new exit
ramp and offering their ideas and suggestions for Bridge Day throughout the
year.

*************************************************************
LOST AND FOUND
*************************************************************

I have in my possession the following items:

1) Black handkerchief
2) Protec helmet
3) Two camcorder batteries
4) An 8x10 photo of a guy with an NVertigo helmet

If any of these items belong to you, contact me with a more detailed description
of what you're missing and I'll send them to you.

I am personally missing the following item:

1) Quantaray tripod, light brown in color.

If you know where this tripod is, please let me know ASAP.

*************************************************************
"MORE" - WOMEN'S MAGAZINE REQUEST
*************************************************************

Susan Crandell, a freelance writer, is looking for women who did their first
BASE jump after age 40, to profile in an article she's writing for MORE, a
magazine for women in their 40s and 50s with a circulation of 1 million. You
can reach her at susan_crandell@earthlink.net or 845-534-7601, in Upstate New
York.

*************************************************************
RED BULL - THANK YOU!
*************************************************************

A special thanks to Red Bull, who sponsored Bridge Day BASE jumping again this
year. There was plenty of Red Bull at the Holiday Inn, exit area, and landing
area to quench the thirst of all the jumpers. The two rope swing jumps
performed by the Red Bull Air Force were amazing, to say the least. Without
Red Bull's assistance over the last two years, we wouldn't have the diving
board or the new $4500, 8' tall exit platform that made its debut this year.
Thanks again to Red Bull (www.redbullusa.com)

If you have any comments about Bridge Day 2004 or suggestions on how to improve
Bridge Day 2005, please let us know! We're currently working hard on extending
Bridge Day so that we have more than 6 hours to jump next year! Many, many
thanks to all of you for sharing the Bridge Day experience with me! Keep in
touch.

July 1st will be the start of registration for Bridge Day 2005.

Cya next year!

(c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted. <==For the media only

[alanab 0]

Quote

1st Place - Brian Daniska

yay Pyro!!
i didnt know you won:)
congrats buddy!

[BASE864 0]

Did anyone happen to record the Fox 11 news out of Charleston Sat night of Bridge Day? They had some interviews and jumpng footage on the 11:00 PM news. I would like to get the whole broadcast. I called the station and they want $50 for just the clip of the Bridge Day stuff. The interview was of some Kansas City jumpers.

Later,
BASE864

[base570 1]

Hi Jason,
another nice event, thanks.

Would you care to elaborate on the jumper whose jump pass was taken away after his jump? Maybe by letting everyone know what happened you might not get your toes stepped on next year. I have only heard the one side, saw the video and been told about your email to him. I would like to hear your side too.

Thanks
570

[base428 1]

It's pretty simple. As I told everyone at the Friday night mandatory meeting (to which this jumper failed to attend), there will be no cussing at the exit area or LZ as we were on LIVE TV. At the busiest time of day in front of thousands of young children and adults on the bridge, the jumper prompted the other lemming jumpers to say the Rodriguez chant....very loud, I might add. Many were offended. Fortunately, live TV didn't carry it. We cut his badge.

To add insult to injury, this jumper then somehow found his way on top of the bridge to do a live TV interview. This time, on live TV, the jumper again tried to make a fellow jumper say the Rodriguez chant. Fortunately, the other jumper did not respond.

If you want to cuss, feel free to do it anywhere other than out on the bridge. We were on LIVE TV and in front of a large crowd. That is no place to be yelling the F word. With all the hard work many of us are doing with legal BASE around the world, we don't need people yelling or prompting others to yell the F word.

Hope that answers all your questions, 570.

Quote

Would you care to elaborate on the jumper whose jump pass was taken away after his jump?

(c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted. <==For the media only

[base515 0]

The offending jumper didn't actually cuss, so why cut his badge? Why not the jumpers who actuallly yelled out the offensive words? There ain't know such thing as "live" Tv anymore. There was a delay built into the broadcast of at least 10 secs.

It may have been in poor taste, but what do you expect from BASEjumpers? If you are going to censor one , then why not all? The bridge days of old were more caranaval like and more fun. Now we have Military and checkpoints, censors and speech police. The future doesn't look so bright. 2004 looks and sounds a lot like "1984"

May we live long and die out

[base428 1]

I don't want to get into a pissing match, so I'll just say this. I am supported by Bill Bird (co-organizer) and the Bridge Day Commission on this. Prompting the crowd is just the same. If you don't like my rules, there will always be someone else waiting anxiously to take your Bridge Day slot. If you come to Bridge Day 2005 and cuss (or prompt other lemmings to do so), you will also be banned.

End of story. I stand by by decision.

(c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted. <==For the media only

[pope 0]

Quote

2004 looks and sounds a lot like "1984"

I'm not a fan of censorship at all...I am however, a HUGE fan of having the freedoms we are lucky enough to have in the US. Bridge Day is what it is. If anyone thinks they can't handle the rules, then they are free to NOT GO TO BRIDGE DAY...

Pretty simple--Bridge Day is a LEGAL, ONE-DAY event--There are those who are trying to make it legal ALL-YEAR-ROUND. I suspect that's why the emphasis on what you call "censorship."

I call it public image--it makes a difference when you need to get stuff done through legal channels I've been told.

[base515 0]

If you don't like my rules, there will always be someone else waiting anxiously to take your Bridge Day slot. If you come to Bridge Day 2005 and cuss (or prompt other lemmings to do so), you will also be banned.

It's only "your" rules if your proposal is chosen at the beginning of every year , or have you locked in some kind of contract for multiple years?

Since there is no cussing, how do you feel about my velcro closed pants that can be ripped off in a flash? It should be a crowd pleaser
As far as offending the crowds, if people are that uptight over a single word, how will they react if someone bounces before them on "live" Tv. I'm sure that will make little Johnny sleep well at night, but the parents didn't seem to mind taking a chance on that.

I say we should ban children.

May we live long and die out

[mnischalke 0]

(I cuss like it's my job, so please note I am not a prude)

I was standing beside Jason when he called down to cut the jumper's badge. My mind was on other things, so I hadn't even noticed the Rodriguez Bros. chant until I started listening to exactly what Jason was saying. I remember thinking, "whoa, that's harsh."

Then, I realized we weren't simply among ourselves. We were among thousands of moms, grandmothers and little kids. We were about to be piped live into thousands of livingrooms.

It wasn't harsh at all to cut a badge (actually I think they punched all 8 jumps out so he could still get back to the top of the hill on the bus). It was harsh to scream "fuck..." around people we don't need to offend, especially locals and officials. I like being able to jump off that bridge, and I look forward to future opportunities there--3rd Sat in Oct. or otherwise.

It was a tough call, but Jason did the right thing, and I commend him for it.

mike

Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

[base428 1]

Allow me to elaborate on the cussing rule. We are only concerned with people cussing LOUDLY at the exit area. You can say whatever you want in normal conversation, but when you scream it and the thousands of spectators hear you, that's where we draw the line.

It's all about having judgment. Would you want your kids to hear the F word at a public event? Probably not. Have some morals, people.

I hate censorship as well. Trust me, I can't stand it. I get upset anytime I hear about some new law that goes into effect. The NPS has about 19 rules according to their Bridge Day permit. If anyone of us breaks a single rule, they have the right to shut us down and everyone would suffer. I have only a few rules: Don't cuss loudly, don't cut in line, don't jump my fence, and don't jump your Icarus 47. It's pretty simple. My rules are not that tough to follow. If you can't follow them, then you are a risk to the event.

I don't want to have to read some editorial in the local paper complaining about use of the F word by the jumpers. My butt is on the line as the organizer.

The local broadcast did NOT have any type of delay. Having a jumper go in hasn't happened for 17 years, so the risk of showing a bounce was a risk we all took. I can't prevent a bounce on live TV, but I can prevent a $150,000 fine for the network if you say the F word on live TV. You all know as well as I that we are better off NOT yelling out cuss words at the exit area. It's kind of hard for me to believe that some of you are arguing with me about that.

If you rip off your velcro pants at the exit area, then you won't have to worry about me saying anything (the cops might wanna talk to you when you land, though).

And yes, I'll be organizing BD for at least the next 2 years....per my contract.

Cya.

EDIT: spelling error and Icarus 47 rule

(c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted. <==For the media only

[badenhop 0]

Don't sweat it Jason, you cannot please them all.
If anyone thinks they can do a better job, put in a proposal.

==================================

I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity. Dolly Parton

http://www.AveryBadenhop.com

[base515 0]

I'll agree that, cussing in loud voices (was) and is unacceptable behavior. I might even agree that the cutting of the badge and not being allowed to jump the rest of the day was acceptable. I do not agree with the childlike temper tantrum e-mail that you sent to said jumper. I have read the email, but have not talked to him about it, so my opinions are my own. Exactly what type of "true" feelings are you going to share with him if you meet him in person? Is in in your powers to have him arrested for simply being a spectator at the next BD, as you state. He's not out to destroy all you have worked for with his little stunt. He's not a disgrace to every jumper in the world, as you claim, nor is he scum as you also state. I don't feel like he jeopardized, my chances to jump at any future BD, nor yours. Where is the heat you promised to pour down on his head? What do I think? I think you need to get a grip man. I think he was just an overly excited jumper. To quote you " if you have a problem with any of the above, I'll be more than happy to discuss it wherever, whenever in person"

sincerely
MIke Bartlett

May we live long and die out

[JohnnyUtah 0]

Quote

Don't sweat it Jason, you cannot please them all.
If anyone thinks they can do a better job, put in a proposal.

Thats very hypocritically humorous Avery. Considering the fact that your 9-way used the same chant, F*** the Rodriguez Brothers as your count to jump at BD 2003. You know the 9-way I am talking about; the one Jason Bell coined as the Worlds Worse 9-Way. I guess that had something to do with the fact that 3 people were injured, there was a canopy entanglement, and one jumper went to the hospital. It was a major dent in the safety record for that year.

Have Fun, Don't Die!
Johnny Utah
My Website
email:johnny@johnnyutah.com

[truckerbase 0]

Good for you Mike. Cursing at bridge day is one topic, Jason Bell, the hypocrite is another. I also received, and have retained a threatening email from Bell on the subject of "christian nonsense", a term I used with respect to AM antenna broadcasts in the recent AM antenna post in this forum. Jason, a christian fundamentalist evangelical, is about Jason Bell. No jumper is interested or asked for tv coverage at this base event, but Bell's ego, it seems, craves it; it makes him look important to his state and his church, and he will heavy hand his religion in his own self importance. Curious how such a christian resorts to threats, and violence, a most insecure and unstable and jason centric person. Next year Ill be attending the colorado thing and let jason bring his disturbed blend of ego and religion to Bridgeday without my tacit involvement. I imagine that the bridgeday party thing is gonna start tapering off. Seeing as how Im an ex-Navy truck driver, who operates in life as a rationalist, Im not much concerned with his threats. He and I and his god have an appointment at my next cliff jump, it appears.

[base428 1]

Dennis, you know darn well that my email wasn't a threat. You only perceived it as such because you don't like that I'm a Christian. And you now call me a fundamentalist Christian? If you want to lie about me because you don't like Christians, then so be it.

Here's what I originally wrote Dennis:

Quote

Just wanted to let you know that I'm a Christian..........I also read your post about antennas and the fact that they broadcast "Christian nonsense". Someday, you may find yourself laying all busted up at the bottom of a cliff. That is always a good time for atheists to ask God for help.
Good luck.
Hope you had fun at BD.
Cya.

Then Dennis misinterpreted the email and blasted me, so I wrote this back:

Quote

Dennis,

You misunderstood my email...entirely, to say the least.

Have you ever heard of Wayne Crill and his incident in 1999 in Colorado when he
got busted up on a cliff and laid there for days? Wayne is an atheist, and I
asked him after he was rescued if he thought about God. He said yes.

Dennis, do you really think I want you to get all busted up on a cliff jump?
Heck no! Let me repeat that.....my last email was simply trying to tell you
that atheists believe in nothing until their life is in jeopardy and then they
often decide to ask for God's help. Do you really think that I would wish harm
upon someone? Absolutely not. You and I have never really talked, so you don't
know me as well as you think.

I don't really know how to respond to you. My email was maily sent to let you
know that there are some "believers" in the BASE world. I guess it's sort of
an obligation I have to defend my beliefs. If someone bashed BASE jumping in
front of you, I can only assume you'd defend BASE as well?

Please don't label all Christians as being hypocritical. That's like saying all
Iraqis are bad.

I'll cya at an exit point somewhere in the future. We'll talk more then. Email
is obviously misinterpreted.

I won't post what Dennis wrote back to me out of respect. However, Dennis, you only know me by the one email I wrote you a few days ago. I've been around for awhile, and my friends know who I am. Sure, I can get pretty mad when someone takes a jab at me. Perhaps my emails sound more threatening to others than they were meant to. But I'm also the guy who'll bend over backwards to retain your friendship, even if you bash me in public like you just did.

Mike, I meant every word in my letter to Mr. Jeff Pyne (Pepe Rodriguez), who obviously is resorting to lies because I pulled his badge. He will not jump at BD as long as I'm running the show. He is a risk. However, read the email I sent him again because there are no threats of arrest! You Rodriguez boys are pretty tight. I got tons of email from his brothers asking me to let him jump next year. And since I stood my ground, you guys wanna bash me? Go for it, I can take the heat. I may be a Christian, but I'm not perfect. I can hang with the best of you.

And lastly, I didn't ask for TV coverage this year. It came on it's own. I helped them because I love my sport and I want to see it flourish. Did you guys ever think that since I live so close to the NRGB, that I might want to help show our sport in a better light, so that we may be able to jump it more than 6 hours a year? Hmm......just read the $170 banner I purchased and hung at the end of the $4500 ramp I built for you.

As Avery said, you can't please them all!

Peace and love to you all. Cya.

(c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted. <==For the media only

[TomAiello 26]

There's a lot of interpersonal argument here that really ought to remain private, between the parties involved, I think.

Let's close this discussion, and try to take our personal differences back to private correspondence.

Thanks.

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com