Even the modern period of BASE jumping has changed.
Remember when it was difficult to get into BASE jumping?
Remember when starting BASE jumping meant that you found an experienced jumper that you looked up to and you practiced and learned techniques carefully and methodically? Now we have jumpers that say ##### it...I'll just go and huck myself off the Perrine. And jumpers with less than 20 jumps that do large multi ways from relatively low altitudes.
Remember when you jumped with your close bros and savored every single minute of the jump?
Remember when every jump was a mission. Stealth and out of sight...
Now we have idiots like Thomas aka Tokemon running around. And others. You dude, I'm so cool...I banged out 20 jumps this weekend at the Perrine...huh huh huh. What! Your not packed yet? I slammed my pack job out in 10 minutes. But it's cool! It's only a slider up jump from 480ft...huh huh huh...
Remember when you were simply scared and that is when you decided to pitch the pilot chute? Experienced jumpers simply used ground rush and a keen sense to deploy. Now we have a new generation that feels the need to have an audible signal to deploy.
Remember when 300ft was ultra low? Now we have technology that allows us to go lower and lower with increased canopy time. Pretty cool! But unfortunate that this new generation of jumpers think they can automatically freefall ultra low objects solely based on the fact that they have vented and valved technology.
On well over 10 occasions, I've seen BASE jumpers with 10 to 30 jumps teaching others how to BASE jump.
Remember when repeated behavior like this outcasted you from the society? It still does...but not quite at the level it should.
Change. It's going to happen. But let's think about what we're doing and try to preserve the values on which many of us were raised on.
And no matter what the world does, I'll still be out there pluggin along with my bros making kick ass jumps dytter free and with style...
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