An article of mine from the Agenda section of today’s Sunday Business Post (direct link):
What it is: An extreme parachute jump from any fixed object that falls under the four BASE categories as follows: B for building, A for antenna, S for span (bridge, arch or dome) and E for earth (any natural formation). When a jumper completes a jump from each of the four categories of objects, they may choose to apply for a ‘base number’, awarded sequentially.
What it isn’t: Sky-diving without a plane.
What it entails: Not for the faint-hearted, base jumping involves jumping from structures and cliffs of minimal heights – usually from as little as a few hundred feet. A sky-diver, on the other hand, typically begins their descent at 12,000ft,with a freefall of about 30 seconds before the parachute opens around 5,500 feet.
One of the first recorded base jumps was undertaken in 1912 when Frederick Law jumped from the Statue of Liberty in New York. A recent jump by French base jumper Cedric Dumont from the Kippure antenna in the Wicklow mountains, however, was from just 110ft.
Due to its extremely dangerous nature, base jumping is not considered a beginner adventure sport but rather for seasoned sky-divers seeking a greater challenge.
The short fall incurs additional dangers such as avoiding surrounding structures.
The lack of time available during the jump leaves little room for error and quick reactions are vital. There has been a number of fatalities in the pursuit of this sport.
Where to do it: Real aficionados head to the base jumpers’ Mecca – Norway – but Ireland presents plenty of opportunities for base jumping.
However, legal issues must first be dealt with, such as gaining permission to use the object that is being jumped, and the area used for landing. Base jumpers follow an ethical code which stipulates that every effort should be made to respect and prevent damage to the property on which the jump takes place.
What you need: A parachute, but not any old parachute.
Base jumping requires speedy deployment of a base parachute which is designed to open quickly at low airspeeds and has a specially designed canopy.
Jumpers use specially designed harnesses and parachute containers, with extra large pilot chutes, and jump with only one parachute because, with a total freefall time of less than ten seconds, there is no time to use a reserve parachute.
Standard safety equipment is also par for the course, while additional equipment such as climbing aids may be required to access an awkward jump site.
What they say: ‘‘Ouch. I don’t think I’ll be trying that again.†– Cedric Dumont after jumping from the West Link toll bridge in Dublin.
Who to contact: Irish-owned and Madrid-based company Freefall University offers a conversion course for sky-divers looking to make the move to base jumping. The intense one-month course can be done in one or two parts.
Students are gradually eased into the art of base jumping, such as making the right exit and the all important landing.
Freefall University can be reached at 01-4361827 or www.freefalluniversity.co.ukÂ