BASE Jumping - The International PRO BASE Circuit

The International PRO BASE Circuit

Publication Date: November 2000

The International PRO BASE Circuit (IPBC) is the only group successfully organizing legal BASE jumping competitions in the world since 1992. The organizers are some of the world's best BASE jumpers, competitors and leaders in United States BASE jumping. Organized BASE jumping and the competition concept is perfected site by site. The IPBC has an outstanding safety and track record. The purpose of the IPBC is to perpetuate the art of BASE jumping through legal competitions.

SITES & EVENTS

West Virginia / Bridge Day / IPBC's "Nationals" - Third Saturday in October - The IPBC was born within "Bridge Day" in Fayetteville, West Virginia. Bridge Day is an annual event at the worlds longest span bridge. One day a year the spectators are allowed on the bridge commemorating the opening of the bridge. The organizers of the IPBC took the BASE jumper spectacle and turned it into a show. Bridge Day now attracts close to 200,000 spectators who come year after year to watch the BASE jumpers.

Moab Utah / "The Tombstone Challenge" / Late February, March - This event is held off a 390-foot cliff resembling a Tombstone. Access is excellent. The site is close to town and the base of the cliff serves as an excellent staging area. Perfect location for TV and crowds. The event is simple and growing in popularity in Moab every year. Jumping at this location is really in your face and the crowds just can't get enough.

Twin Falls Idaho / The Perrine Bridge / "Snake River BASE Games" / June - The IPBC's first event at this location was June 17 and 18, 2000. It was an immediate success and they have bigger plans in the works for next year. The town is perfect for this event and so is the site. The bridge is 450 feet and located on the North side of town. Access is great. Jumpers land in the canyon below and boated to the dock and shuttled back to the top. The staging area next to the bridge is a big parking lot with a tourist center. Lots of room for spectators who have an excellent view from all angles. The backdrop is spectacular. You can still see the mounds of dirt from Evil's attempted Snake River Jump back in the 70's. The locals are friendly and the IPBC looks forward to another great competition in 2001.

JUDGING

There are three different ways of judging the BASE jumping competition. The scoring system delivers a score that is easily followed in 100 point increments.

1) The exit and aerial maneuver, such as a back flip, front flip etc. This is judged on the jumpers execution of his jump plan with degree of difficulty factored in. (This only happens at The New River Gorge Bridge during Bridge Day and our Nationals. The bridge is our highest object at close to 900 feet.)

2) The opening is judged on the heading of the opening canopy in relation to the object. Perfect score is a heading directly away from the object.

3) The landing is judged on centimeters to a target with a radius of five meters. An electronic scoring pad is used and winners come down to the centimeter.

Every event includes an award ceremony. Trophies and plaques are given away for first, second and third places in all categories of judging, including overall.

According to Harry Parker, President of the IPBC, each event offers different possibilities for sponsor signage and cross promotions. In general, the most obvious place for signage is at the exit area, on the jumper, the jumpers parachute, the object itself, On the ground, the 10 meter diameter target, the landing area, interview area, T-shirts and at the Awards Ceremonies. Organizers have also packaged a 30 minute BASE show utilizing unique competitions around the country which is ready for sponsorship and TV exposure. "But this is just the start," said Harry, "coupled with TV, cross promotions would not be a problem in any of the communities we now visit."

If you have any questions regarding the IPBC, email them to TheIPBC@home.com or call (707)773-3950. For more information on the IPBC check out their websites at: www.TheIPBC.com or www.thebridgedayassociation.com