We're currently updating this page to reflect changes for 2012.
Twenty (20) tandem BASE jump slots for use at Bridge Day 2012 on October 20, 2012 will be available for purchase in May/June 2012. For the second time in Bridge Day's 33-year history, people with no prior jump experience will be able to make a BASE jump while attached to a highly experienced BASE jumping professional. Students will be able to experience approximately 2-4 seconds of freefall and a 40-50 second canopy ride and landing in the New River Gorge.
Requirements
Must be at least 18 years of age
Must weigh 200 lbs. or less and be capable of an active lifestyle
Must wear athletic shoes or hiking boots
Must sign our liability waiver
The Company
TandemBASE is the world's first tandem BASE jumping operation and they'll be providing the instructors, parachuting gear, and all tandem BASE jumps at Bridge Day. They've partnered with our company, Vertical Visions, who has organized Bridge Day BASE jumping since 2003. Located at the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls, Idaho, TandemBASE has developed a jumping technique based on the tandem skydiving method of instruction. In conjunction with these jumping methods, TandemBASE has also developed specialized TandemBASE jumping equipment including the Huck-It Duo harness/container system and the TBX-1, which is BASE jumping's only tandem BASE specific parachute.
History
The first Tandem BASE jump occurred at Bridge Day 1984 from the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville, West Virginia (more info here). The years since have been sprinkled with Tandem BASE jumps being made around the world from various objects, proving the viability. The Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls, Idaho, where it is legal to BASE jump every day of the year, has become an increasingly more popular BASE destination with the fortunate convergence of good altitude, large landing area, easy access, and an encouraging community. Excited spectators commonly ask how they can share in the BASE Jumping experience and have always been told that hundreds of skydives are needed and tens of thousands of dollars must be expended prior to learning to BASE Jump. In 2009, TandemBASE's Mark Kissner and Abbie Mashaal began discussing and prototyping the equipment necessary to perform BASE Jumps using the Tandem instructional method. The result is the first purpose built TandemBASE Jumping equipment.
Tandem BASE jumping is nearly identical to solo BASE jumping with the addition of a student. Modeled on the tandem skydiving instruction method and its millions of successful jumps over three decades, TandemBASE opens the door to BASE jumping for all. The thrill of standing on the edge is no longer limited - with TandemBASE nearly anyone who seeks the ultimate rush can attain it. And now, we're bringing the TandemBASE operation to the East Coast at Bridge Day 2012.
Equipment
At the core of TandemBASE jumping is a custom designed and manufactured set of gear that includes the Huck-It Duo harness and container system, the TBX-1 TandemBASE parachute, and the student harness. Built to military specifications for material and construction, the Duo's harness is task specific for TandemBASE.
Operation
The exit from the bridge is the crux of any BASE jump, and TandemBASE is no different. Drawing from a team with over 5000 BASE jumps, TandemBASE has developed a simple exit technique that results in consistent, clean jumps. The TBX-1 opens, flies, and lands with the predictability and precision that we have come to expect from a BASE specific parachute.
With a minimum of 500 BASE jumps, TandemBASE instructors begin as the sport's highest caliber jumpers. Instructors are then required to complete written and practical instruction and testing on TandemBASE Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) before being certified as TandemBASE Instructors.
All students are in the student harness prior to entering the exit area
Students are leashed to the instructor at all times
Students and instructors are subject to same gear inspection as all other jumpers
Students are fully connected to instructor prior to boarding the exit platform
TandemBASE pairs exit, open, fly, and land in the same amount of time as a solo jumper
Safety
BASE jumping is not safe, but history shows that it can be performed safely. TandemBASE takes all precautions to provide the safest environment possible within the realm of BASE jumping. Student harnesses include an inflatable PFD (Personal Flotation Device), with single pull activation, in the event of a water landing. All students wear helmets, knee and elbow pads, and proper footwear (athletic shoes or hiking boots). While TandemBASE has successfully tested the TBX-1 with a total payload of 430lbs of suspended weight, current operating procedures mandate a maximum instructor weight of 175lbs, and student weight of 200lbs, keeping the operation well within a safety envelope. Bridge Day also offers a friendlier exit ramp that does not require climbing over a railing (as shown in the Perrine Bridge video below).
What You Get
In addition to making one (1) tandem BASE jump, students will receive:
Bridge Day 2012 Tandem Jump Certificate
Bridge Day 2012 BASE jumper T-Shirt
Access to the BASE Videofest on Thursday night, October 18, 2012.
Goodie bag containing promotional items from BASE vendors (stickers, cups, flyers, Bridge Day 2012 magazine, etc.)
Water rescue in the landing area. Four boats will be ready to pluck you out of the New River if needed.
Bus and van rides to the top of the bridge after you jump and to/from the Holiday Lodge Oak Hill and other area hotels/motels.
The largest BASE jumper party in the world on Saturday night at the Holiday Lodge Oak Hill
Free pizza, beer, and soda during post-Bridge Day party.
Water and/or other beverages in the landing area and at the exit point.
Video of jumps shown on big screen TV at Saturday night party.
Jump photos and enlargements available for viewing and purchase Saturday night & Sunday morning. Photos are also posted online shortly after the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get video and/or photos of my jump?
Absolutely! Vertical Visions photographs the event using at least four still cameras, which are available for sale a few hours after jumps have ended. In addition, a video crew films the event from multiple angles and raw video and/or a DVD is available shortly after the event.
Can I jump by myself the first time?
No. Your jump must be tandem, in which you're harnessed to the front of a highly experienced instructor. In order to BASE jump by yourself, you'll need at least 100 skydives which will likely require hundreds of hours of training and tens of thousands of dollars over several years.
What's the landing like?
Most landings are quite soft, with many people doing stand-up landings. Sometimes, especially on calm days, the forward speed of the parachute will provide you with a smooth sit-down sliding landing. To achieve a safe landing, the student MUST follow their instructors commands. In some cases, a landing in shallow water may be required. Fortunately, we've got four rescue boats with decades of experience that can pull you into their boat within seconds. In addition, each tandem BASE system contains a personal floation device (PFD).
Is it safe, can I get hurt?
BASE jumping is not safe, but it can be done safely. BASE jumping is like any other extreme sport: there are inherent risks that require careful training and execution. Failure to follow that training can lead to serious injury or death. The equipment has improved considerably over the old-style round parachute and is so reliable that, when used properly, BASE jumping can be as safe or safer than any other extreme sport. That being said, there is no perfect parachute, no perfect instructor, no perfect weather condition, and for that matter no perfect student. You can be injured or killed while making a BASE jump at Bridge Day.
Will I be a BASE jumper afterwards/Can I jump by myself afterwards?
You will have entered the world of BASE jumping with your Bridge Day jump. However, having the experience of a tandem BASE jump will not permit you to jump by yourself in the future. Just as in skydiving, a single tandem jump does not prepare you for solo jumping, but is a start to whatever path you decide to take in jumping. If you enjoyed your tandem BASE jump and would like to continue in the sport, we suggest you visit a local skydiving dropzone and learn to skydive. In order to make a solo BASE jump at Bridge Day or any other BASE jumping object, you'll need at least 100 skydives.
What Do Experienced BASE Jumpers Think of Tandem BASE Jumping
In our opinion, tandem BASE jumping is an exciting way to experience the thrill of BASE jumping at a reasonable cost. Actually, we're quite envious of the fact that tandem BASE jumping offers people something that normally takes years of training and tens of thousands of dollars to achieve. A few experienced BASE jumpers think that tandem BASE jumping will reduce the sport's "cool factor" now that anyone can do it. The bottom line is that tandem BASE jumping, just like traditional BASE jumping, will only attract an elite group of people who have the desire and courage to step off a perfectly good bridge and experience something so rare. As the organizers of Bridge Day BASE jumping since 2003, we're excited to offer this experience to the public.
Why is tandem BASE jumping so expensive?
The TandemBASE team is based out of Idaho. They have to fly in their crew, secure hotel rooms, rent cars, and provide meals. All these expenses add up and we haven't even considered the price of gear, training jumps, etc. Tandem BASE jumping isn't for everyone, but each jump is worth the price. If you live near Twin Falls, Idaho, you can always opt to tandem BASE jump from a shorter bridge for around $400.
