Free BASE First Jump Course

[Tom Aiello]

I will hold a BASE First Jump Course on October 1st, 2nd and 3rd (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) in Twin Falls, Idaho. Course will begin at 8am Friday and conclude at 6pm Sunday.

There will be no charge for this instruction. The course will focus on basic BASE skills, with an additional emphasis on the history and ethics of BASE, and the teamwork necessary to many BASE jumps.


Course requirements:

1) Gear: I have some spare gear I can loan out, but it’s best if you can come with your own. Contact me for help finding gear, if you do not own it.

2) Mentoring: You must make a reasonable effort to find an experienced jumper local to you, who can help you with your jumping when you return home. You must provide me with contact information for this jumper, so that I can talk with them. If you cannot locate someone, I will assist you in doing so. This requirement will be waived for jumpers in an area where I am unable to locate a suitable mentor.

3) Skydiving prerequisites: You must have appropriate skydiving experience, as evaluated by me. I will ask for details of your experience when you contact me, as well as contact information for jumpers able to verify your experience.


Course Syllabus:

Day 1: Packing

Discussion: The risks of BASE
Exercise: Letter to family
Packing
Discussion: Differences between skydiving and BASE cultures

Day 2: Exits

Discussion: BASE History
Exit Training on Launch Simulator
PCA BASE jumps

Day 3: Deployment

Discussion: BASE ethics
BASE jumps: Hand held, delay nomination
Discussion: BASE community
BASE jumps: Delay nomination, stowed

Space is limited, so I will accept the best prepared applicants. If you want to come, you must contact me via email (tbaiello@mac.com). If you have any questions, post here, or PM or email me.

[Skinflicka]

Unbelieveable!...in a good way.

What a guy!

[Tree]

Congradulations Tom! Way to set a new direction in base, and to really do something about the poor state of things. TO me this looks like taking things back to the old school ways of helping others for the love of base. We all have the power to keep base from going (completely) commercial. This is one great way to to do it.

Can I sign up?

Cya.

[hamsandwich]

That's awesome. Tom, how would you feel about newer base jumpers sitting in just watching/listening? I wouldn't mind ducking in and out if I find myself up there that weekend.

-Abbie

[stinkydragon]

Did someone say freebase?

[stinkydragon]

Seriously though, how's the H2O temp in the river that weekend? I kinda wanna go for a swim.

[Tom Aiello]

I've been in the water in October before, without a wetsuit. It was cold, but doable. I think it depends on you personal tolerance (and level of body fat--I've got plenty of insulation).

[stinkydragon]

OK. Thank you. As long as it's doable I can hang with discomfort 'til I'm in the boat. Will Don be there?

[Stu]

Tom,
I am a jumper in Bozeman Montana looking to get into BASE. I saw your posted free BASE course and would like to get some more info. Write me back to see if I qualify at slange24@hotmail.com
Thanks,
Stu

[JLH]

Will you be doing this in march possibly? Sounds great!

[Tom Aiello]

Ok, the course is full.

Demand for this was overwhelming. I received 23 requests from prospective students, and 11 requests for more information from possible future students or from other jumpers interested in some of the material.

I will try to publish as much of my course materials on line as possible, as time permits (I want to organize them a bit more before that kind of release).

I will likely hold more of these courses in the future. I am considering a November course (still trying to decide if the weather will allow that), and will hold another course in the spring. If the response is positive, I will probably continue to do this at regular intervals.

I’ve already notified all accepted students, and most of the other applicants (I’m hoping I haven’t missed anyone, but with applications coming in at least four different ways, it’s been a little chaotic).

I’ve had several requests from other jumpers to audit portions of the class. I’ll consider that and respond to those people individually.

Thanks!

[yexotay]

Can I be in that?

[Tom Aiello]

Can I be in that?

You are welcome to come up and hang out any time. I've even got a spare bed. If you want to come to an organized class, cool, give me a yell. If you don't I'd always be up to spend a weekend doing some jumps with you.

[QuickDraw]

I’ve had several requests from other jumpers to audit portions of the class.

Can you explain what you mean by that please Tom ?
I was sort of hoping someone would chime in, but curiosity has got the better of me now.

[Tom Aiello]

Can you explain what you mean by that please Tom ?
I was sort of hoping someone would chime in, but curiosity has got the better of me now.

Several people have contacted me saying either: "I'm not ready to jump yet, but can I sit in on the discussions and non-jumping sessions, and help ground crew" or "I've already got 30 (or so) jumps but can I sit in on the discussions?"