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First Jump Course

First Jump Course: Taking a First Jump Course (FJC) is a highly recommended step of the Getting Into BASE. Just remember this always: You don't know, what you don't know!



Quote Originally Posted by Asylum BASE
Fixed object jumping is hard to learn without help. The senior members of our sport all learned the hard way. We were lucky to get away with as much as we did. Some were not so lucky. Two different courses of instruction are offered. They vary in length , depth and scope but both are provided to keep new or prospective jumpers from repeating the mistakes of those that came before.
NOTE: Just because finished a First Jump Course, does NOT mean you are ready to go out on your own and BASE jump! A FJC is merely a stepping stone to further education. It will not totally prepare you for the myriad of scenarios you are likely to encounter pursuing the sport. Upon returning from the course you should continue practicing your Skydiving drills while at the dropzone and seek out other BASE jumpers to continue your education.

Conversely, even when you have a friendly local and an experienced mentor that can teach you, you should still strongly consider taking an FJC, for several reasons:
  1. Your FJC will be taught by somebody other than your mentor. Learning from multiple people will expose you to more and better information.
  2. Mentors, are just that, Mentors, they usually are not trained as Instructors like in the FJC.
  3. Your FJC will probably be at a forgiving bridge, more than likely the Potato Bridge which is a great site to get to know. You’ll keep coming back to practice new things in a friendly environment.
  4. During your FJC you will meet new people and establish a first step towards a network and a reputation. This reputation combined with the Contact the Locals rule will allow you to visit other BASE scenes and jump there.

Important: Make a follow-up plan that kicks in when you return home after the FJC.

BASE jumping is a sport in which the participants can be very opinionated; keep in mind that there are many, many BASE jumpers who strongly disagree with FJCs. Those jumpers argue that it has become way too easy entering in the sport of BASE jumping. 150 skydives and some cash will buy you a slot in one of the many FJC available. A minimum amount of skydives and a FJC will not have anyone, even the most natural jumper, ready for the world of BASE jumping. In the end don’t be fooled thinking you are a BASE jumper after you have taken a FJC it is merely another tool in your arsenal of knowledge.

Which FJC

NOTE: Students should always be made to wear protective gear, including Helmet and Knee Pads minimum. If a FJC, or Mentor does not directly tell you to do this, reconsider how well they are going to teach you, as they are immediately not helping you be safe. A professional school will mandate this.

There is little point in recommending a certain FJC over another one. Few people have seen more than one FJC being taught, and even fewer people in the world have actually taken more than one FJC. Investigate, research, talk to other jumpers, and call the different Courses to get a feel for what is out there. Go with the one that you are comfortable with and that works for you.

If there were a course out there that were not up to standards, the BASE community would quickly find out. We encourage you to ask for opinions on any particular course on the The BASE Board Forums. Filter through any positive or negative reviews coming from people that have only taken that one course or may have limited experience, and heed potential warnings that might be given by experienced jumpers. Ultimately it is a personal decision that only you can make.

Most of the FJCs that are being taught are great introductions into BASE jumping, provided you have a Beyond FJC follow-up plan. It is best to contact via phone or emails the courses you might be interested in. Ask them lots of questions to figure out if their teaching style, schedule and general package is what you are looking for.

FJCs currently being offered

North America

Europe

Rest Of World

  • BLiNC is currently not aware of any FJC programs in other areas of the world. If you have information on such programs, please leave a comment or recommend a course on The BASE Board forums.

NOTE: Just because finished a First Jump Course, doe NOT mean you should ever stop practicing your Skydiving drills while at the dropzone. Good canopy skills, via skydiving, are essential in the BASE environment!





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