BASE Jumping On Bridge Day

BASE Jumping on Bridge Day

Publication Date: October 2000

The desire to jump fixed objects draws people from all walks of life. The spirit of fixed object jumping is equal to many of today's extreme sports. Mountaineers, skiers, kayakers, scuba divers, surfers, and skydivers travel thousands of miles for their sport. The skills needed are a combination of many of today's extreme sports. Planning and foresight are the norm.

Almost 25 years ago in Yosemite National Park, a man named Carl Boenish stunned the world by making successful foot-launched parachute jumps from cliffs such as the 3,090 foot sheer El Capitan - B.A.S.E. (Building Antenna, Span, Earth) jumping from fixed objects was born. The year was 1975.

Boenish persuaded National Park officials and obtained permits for legal cliff jumping. A small group of skydivers quickly abused the privileges and desecrated jumping areas. It was obvious the sport was too young and not ready for self-regulation. Needless to say the park service is hesitant to allow cliff jumping again.

At present, it is illegal to jump in national parks. Jumps made illegally in some cases cost thousands in fines and jail time. The only exception is Bridge Day in Fayetteville, West Virginia, where six hours every year B.A.S.E. jumpers are free to experiment and learn about their sport legally all under the watchful eye of the park service.

Jumping off the New River Gorge Bridge is crazy to most, daring to others, and outright insane to some. To the adventurous breed, it's a curious desire. To a few, it's knowing the true meaning of freedom. Overall, it's just misunderstood. On the third Saturday of every October, West Virginia opens the doors to the adventurous breed as thousands look on in awe.

This year will hold the annual Bridge Day Competition where jumpers can master their skills in style and accuracy. When judging style, the jumper can exit the object in any form, but their canopy must open facing the same way as the jumper. Accuracy, measured in meters, is attempting to land on a specific target. The target is usually placed on the sandbar near the landing area.

BASE jumping on Bridge Day is made legal because of the permit issued by the National Park Service to the World BASE Association, the group that organizes and coordinates the jumping.

Technically the park service cannot control who jumps off the bridge because it does not own it (the state highway department does). However, the park service does own the sandbar that jumpers use as a landing zone.

As a result, the park service has a lot to say about BASE jumping on Bridge Day. That's where the permit comes in. The once-a-year permit means Bridge Day is the only day people can legally parachute off the bridge. According to Ranger Rick Brown, the permit specifies a number of items aimed at ensuring jumper safety.

To maintain some semblance of control, jumpers are required to register with the BASE association.

Throughout the years, many advancements have contributed to the sport of BASE jumping. Anyone who has frequented Bridge Day can attest to the improvements in the jumper's gear, attitude, and safety. The gear is standardized and teaching curriculum is close behind.

Standing at 876 feet, the New River Gorge Bridge is an excellent starting point for first time jumpers. There's room for error and learning at this once a year BASE convention, where the nations leading manufacturers gather. Every year more and more skydivers are taking the plunge from fixed objects such as the New River Gorge Bridge. This explosion in growth can be seen every Bridge Day where more than half the participants are making their first jump.

All jumping must take place from the designated point at the center of the bridge. Park officials fear uncoordinated jumping from anywhere on the bridge might result in a midair collision. In addition, jumping from one end of the bridge increases the chances that a strong gust of wind might blow a jumper back against the under-structure.

Jumping must be done between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Park rangers will be watching from below, and anyone caught jumping before or after the time limits will be ticketed once they land.

Park rangers don't want the jumping to get out of hand, and they don't want to have to deal with "bandit" jumping. So they strictly enforce the time limits. In past years, jumpers eager to get in one last jump a couple of minutes after the deadline have been chased down by rangers and ticketed. They face a possible penalty of a year in federal prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Even worse, their parachute is confiscated for evidence.

Finally, the permit gives park rangers the authority to stop the jumping in case of unsafe conditions, such as rain, high winds and high water. Brown said in the past he has been able to rely on the operation of the BASE organizers to ensure safety. In fact, on several Bridge Days in the past, the BASE association has strongly recommended that only the most experienced make the jump.

For more information about BASE Jumping, check out the following web site: www.afn.org/skydive/base http:base/

For more information on Bridge Day, or to register to BASE jump, contact Keith Spangler at the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce: (800)927-0263.