dbagdrew 0
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Luke 0
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Fair point. But getting busted does not mean you lack ethics.
I've been busted 7 times so far which I guess ranks me up there with Ted Bundy for run-ins with the law. Every single one of them was avoidable I must admit, had i not jumped. But had i not jumped, I wouldn't really consider myself to be a BASE jumper...more of a BASE talker, and wow, does the world need a few less of them.
I've been on one and a half busts with you mate and we both knew and accepted there was a high bust factor in order to make those jumps, so you got to know I broadly agree with you; I'm definitely not having a dig.
But is it really necessary to do high bust factor jumps *all* the time in order to be a BASE jumper? Your ethics and ninja skills are exemplary, but you seem to routinely choose objects with so much security that even when you comfortably get away the police are involved.
Even though you're not usually caught and perhaps there is no official policy, "BASE jumpers" are no longer a whacky and amusing one off story around the local nick any more?
If jumpers are being pressed to accept significant warnings/charges from the police, rather than a friendly and slightly bemused chat you'd get only a couple of years ago, you might argue that these things are related.
I know that dealing with security is a significant part of the challenge for you (and a tedious job for me) and I really do value your thoughts on this.
All I can say is thank fuck most of them don't have guns in the UK; at the moment.
sabre210 0
Were any of them day jumps?.....NO
Were any of them busts prior to jumping?.....NO
Was i whooping and hollering under canopy?.....NO
Did i nonchalantly pick up my canopy and stroll away without a care in the world.....NO
Can i think of any way i could have reduced my chances of getting busted apart from by not jumping?....NO.
The funny thing about BASE jumping is that no matter how stealthy you are getting ontop of a building, try explaining that to a 305 square foot slider down canopy on opening. I've talked to it, explained the need to be quiet but it just won't play ball. Every time......BANG....LOOK AT ME.
Oh and i'm not talking about some high rise on the edge of sleepyville, I'm talking about jumping in London, or Barcelona or Kuala Lumpur city centres. Places which tend not to be dead at 4 in the morning.
The fact is....most of these jumps you have 2 options. Jump and risk being busted or don't jump. Like i said, i'm a BASE jumper so i jump, strange as that may seem.
Were any of them busts prior to jumping?.....NO
Was i whooping and hollering under canopy?.....NO
Did i nonchalantly pick up my canopy and stroll away without a care in the world.....NO
Can i think of any way i could have reduced my chances of getting busted apart from by not jumping?....NO.
The funny thing about BASE jumping is that no matter how stealthy you are getting ontop of a building, try explaining that to a 305 square foot slider down canopy on opening. I've talked to it, explained the need to be quiet but it just won't play ball. Every time......BANG....LOOK AT ME.
Oh and i'm not talking about some high rise on the edge of sleepyville, I'm talking about jumping in London, or Barcelona or Kuala Lumpur city centres. Places which tend not to be dead at 4 in the morning.
The fact is....most of these jumps you have 2 options. Jump and risk being busted or don't jump. Like i said, i'm a BASE jumper so i jump, strange as that may seem.
dbagdrew 0
Quote
The fact is....most of these jumps you have 2 options. Jump and risk being busted or don't jump. Like i said, i'm a BASE jumper so i jump, strange as that may seem.
Fair enough. I just thought that 7 seemed like a pretty high number, if you were being as careful as possible. I guess you are just jumping higher profile sites.
Much legal problems from all those busts?
sabre210 0
QuoteQuote
Fair point. But getting busted does not mean you lack ethics.
I've been busted 7 times so far which I guess ranks me up there with Ted Bundy for run-ins with the law. Every single one of them was avoidable I must admit, had i not jumped. But had i not jumped, I wouldn't really consider myself to be a BASE jumper...more of a BASE talker, and wow, does the world need a few less of them.
I've been on one and a half busts with you mate and we both knew and accepted there was a high bust factor in order to make those jumps, so you got to know I broadly agree with you; I'm definitely not having a dig.
But is it really necessary to do high bust factor jumps *all* the time in order to be a BASE jumper? Your ethics and ninja skills are exemplary, but you seem to routinely choose objects with so much security that even when you comfortably get away the police are involved.
Even though you're not usually caught and perhaps there is no official policy, "BASE jumpers" are no longer a whacky and amusing one off story around the local nick any more?
If jumpers are being pressed to accept significant warnings/charges from the police, rather than a friendly and slightly bemused chat you'd get only a couple of years ago, you might argue that these things are related.
I know that dealing with security is a significant part of the challenge for you (and a tedious job for me) and I really do value your thoughts on this.
All I can say is thank fuck most of them don't have guns in the UK; at the moment.
We all push our limits in different ways my friend. Some people do complex aerials, some people do complex unpacked jumps, some people fly as close to the wall as they can, some people strap wingsuits on their arms and inhibit their movement just to improve flight performance. Every one of the above increases the risk of injury and death, and consequently the risk of negative publicity for BASE as a sport.
Me, i keep my jumping simple in many ways, but i push my limits in others. You're right, a huge percentage of my jumps would fall into the 'high bust' category. I make absolutely no apologies whatsoever for that either. It's how i push my limits in the 'sport'
Is it necessary you asked? No but then neither are double gainers, roll overs, tard overs, wingsuits or proximity flights, and all of them carry additional risks of negative consequences to BASE.
sabre210 0
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Even though you're not usually caught and perhaps there is no official policy, "BASE jumpers" are no longer a whacky and amusing one off story around the local nick any more?
Utterly disagree. In the UK (that's worth making the distinction here) I have never found the Police to be anything but reasonable and understanding about what we do. In fact i'd go further and say most are pretty impressed with how we go about our jumps and how we conduct ourselves when caught.
As someone who has had a good few run-ins with the police, and therefore more experience with how they view us 'on the front line' than most, I can honestly say, the few hours here and there we spend in their company is probably some of the best PR work we could do for bandit BASE. They are often taken aback by how calm and rational and polite and helpful we are, and i have never once felt they walked away with a more negative view of us. Not once.
Consequently from the 7 busts i have to date, the worst thing to happen was that 50note on the spot fine for trespass on a railway and the caution for carrying false id, both of which were issued with much embarassment by the Police because they had to follow protocol but really knew how petty it all was.
I have seen no evidence whatsoever, that BASE is becoming less and less tolerated by the Polce in the UK. In fact judging by the stats, the only attempted prosecution i know of was DT's after his bridge bust many moons ago and even then the Police had to pay him compensation for unlawful arrest and seizure of his gear.
The UK is not the USA. It's very important we remember that and as long as it stays that way, i do not feel the need to adopt that default paranoia which sadly my US counterparts are forced to.
QuoteAs someone who has had a good few run-ins with the police, and therefore more experience with how they view us 'on the front line' than most, I can honestly say, the few hours here and there we spend in their company is probably some of the best PR work we could do for bandit BASE. They are often taken aback by how calm and rational and polite and helpful we are, and i have never once felt they walked away with a more negative view of us. Not once.
Amen.
The best thing you can do when seen by anybody, be it police or the guy walking his dog late at night, is to show that you are a friendly, polite, intelligent and productive member of society with just another hobby.
I've always managed to send people home with an improved opinion on BASE because they quickly see I'm not some criminally insane yahoo who swears and screams all the time.
Remember, these people come home to friends and families and the first thing they say is: "you can't believe what I just saw..."
just tell them u jumped from a prison tranport air caft
just like in CONAIR THAT movie was so cool rember when ave sapel set the induain on fire that ruled
PATATOEHEAD IS A SPORTSMAN TO THE END
just like in CONAIR THAT movie was so cool rember when ave sapel set the induain on fire that ruled
PATATOEHEAD IS A SPORTSMAN TO THE END
NYC 0
is this the potato head that landed a mr. bill at the ranch back in 99 or so?
and landed in the prison in 98 or so?
and landed in the prison in 98 or so?
SLAMBO 0
I live on the west coast and know potato head. I have seen him jump as well, so therefore you destroy your argument right there "towerrat."
Luke 0
Quote
Is it necessary you asked?
Very much so, Yes.
I worry about getting busted as much as all the other "negative aspects", so I tend towards being a bit too paranoid; subsequently jumping less, which is not ideal.
I stressed that I wasn't having a dig and I meant it: I value your thoughts and experience in these matters and I knew you'd give it the response it required.
sabre210 0
No mate
That's not what i meant. Curse of the missing comma?
That should have read " 'is it necessary?' you asked"
not "is it necessary you ask(ed)?"
sorry. my poor punctuation.
That's not what i meant. Curse of the missing comma?
That should have read " 'is it necessary?' you asked"
not "is it necessary you ask(ed)?"
sorry. my poor punctuation.
The only incorrect thing tower said was "The worst part is that I don't know anyone who has actually seen you jump." Tater seems to be a nice guy, jumps alot and has skill. However, makes horrible decisions when it comes to taking first time jumper to sites not to mention pissing just about everyone off at the DZ getting grounded and all the local BASE jumpers. I hope that he gets off and does not end up in much trouble but the decision to lend someone your gear to PCA him on his second BASE jump ever in an urban environment and have him wait while you climb down is just not smart. Your begging to get busted. Like I said I hope he gets off it being a federal offense in FL is ridiculous. Good luck to him
321Cya 0
Quotelend someone your gear
WTF. Why did Potatoman (or even the other guy) not organize a 2nd set of gear and jump this sweet building himself? It can't be that hard to get another rig from somewhere...
TomAiello 26
QuoteQuotelend someone your gear
WTF. Why did Potatoman (or even the other guy) not organize a 2nd set of gear and jump this sweet building himself? It can't be that hard to get another rig from somewhere...
Perhaps he was unable to borrow a rig from one of the other locals? It seems from the postings here that he's not unusually popular with the jumpers in that area.
Another, not too related, thought: I know that Potatohead has the "Death Rig" (converted Javelin) that I've seen him jump. I'm assuming that he (wisely) decided that rig wasn't appropriate for this jump, and lent his 'A' gear to the other jumper, deciding to walk off rather than jump the "Death Rig" himself.
-- Tom Aiello
Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com
Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com
I think the more important question is, were any of them avoidable if you had been more careful?
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