Portland

[guest]

What does the weather have to do with base jumping?

[guest]

>NOBODY CARES! The majority
>of the BASE jumping community
>doesn't know about or doesn't
>care about the IPBC.
>It's only 40 testosterone driven,
>ego toting males who feel
>the need to show they
>can hit a dot on
>the ground.

Au contraire. The IPBC provides me with (in order of importance):

1) The chance to meet very experienced jumpers, ask them questions about BASE, watch them pack and jump and learn from them. Example: On the day I made my 100th jump, I had dinner with a group of jumpers, and sat between two guys with more than 600 jumps each, and got to pick their brains about the best ways to stay alive in this sport.

2) A chance to practice my BASE survival skills in a controlled environment, where I can really get a feel for how well I am managing the truly critical aspects of BASE--opening away from the object and landing safely on target.

3) An opportunity to hang out with an exceptional (and exceptionally interesting) group of people, to make new friends, to see old friends, and to generally have a good time.

It is only the most superficial view of the IPBC that sees it as "40 testosterone driven, ego toting males who feel the need to show they can hit a dot on the ground." The IPBC is about much, much more. Further, it is the only organization that has ever succeeded in unifying any group of American BASE jumpers for an extended period of time.

I do know, respect, and like several jumpers who believe that the IPBC has a negative influence on our sport. Although I can see their points, I must, respectfully, disagree.

--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@ucdavis.edu

[guest]

hey! you're not me!

not that i have any problem with that last reply, but I DIDN'T POST IT!

[guest]

Why is it that no one ever mentions the women in this sport? There are women in this sport. And some of them are kicking the guys' asses.

[bps]

Hello -

Actually, I think the IPBC is great. Ditto on what Tom has already said.

I have made many friends through the IPBC as well as improve my jumping performance. And I also like the competition aspect...it fuels my drive to improve.

I'll also be the first to admit that it's not for everyone, so I respect your opinion on not liking the IPBC. But I think you'll find that there are quite a few people out there that do like it.

:-)

C-ya,

Bryan

[guest]

I'll mention women...

I think it's great that women are measured in this sport the same as men! All things are equal... no handicaps.
Sure, I appreciate a door being opened for me by the opposite sex, but when it comes to BASE competition -
Bring It On!

Havin' a blast!
532

[guest]

Portland sucks!