Cliff-jumping Certification Program. Draft 11-15-1999

[guest]

Cap'n Chaos,

Very thoughtful post . . . Thank you.

To answer your question concerning education and, "is anything written down?" Yes, we have our entire "First BASE Course" on paper. However, it is an outline and like most outlines it's useless without an Instructor to go with it.

I'd say about 90% of all BASE jumping information one could ever need can be had for free just by listening, searching the net, and other types of self research. However, without a knowledgeable current BASE jumper who possess an ability to impart information in a useful fashion, it's all just a bunch of typing and babble.

"Who should the Instructors be"?

That's a question best left to the market place at this point. Ask any individual who takes on new BASE jumpers if it pencils out financially and you'll find at best they may make expenses.

At Basic Research we started the First BASE Jump Course out of a sense of responsibility we feel toward the sport, along with a very large dose of self preservation. All the BASE manufactures had to take on this role as it became apparent it wasn't going to happen in the BASE community by itself.

It would be irresponsible for us (all the manufacturers) to sell the equipment and not offer this kind of support, not to mention we wouldn't sleep too well at night.

It would be great if we had "The BASE Institute", a sort of permanent BASE camp and clearing house for all information on things BASE.

But who can afford it? It seems we waste more money on lawyers, court cases and big shows of bravado when we'd probably be better served channeling all those funds into education.

We do a very good job of educating people at Bridge Day, but that's only one day a year. What about the rest of the year. Those people don't go into hiding only to re-emerge next Bridge Day.
Some things I'd like to see funded are regional seminars held a few times a year. A totally free BASE web site that includes the wisdom of the ages without trying to sell you anything.

So instead of trying to convince the non-believers that what we do is for real we should teach our young correctly and they in turn will become BASE ambassadors who, in the long run, can do us way more good.

I'm starting to believe we are not the generation that will get the plumb. But it will happen someday. It will be a generation or two down the road that will enjoy total BASE access and the respect of their fellow human beings.

However, take heart, we the present generation can all take solace in the fact we began the ball rolling . . . and someday they'll erect statues in our honor.

Overheard at the Boenish BASE Institute in the year 2047.
"Hi Joe, you working hard today?"
"No not really, today's the day I wipe off the pigeon poop from Mick Knutsen's statue."


Nick

[base428]

>I don't like the idea of a rating system.

If you want to jump legally in Yosemite, a rating system is necessary. This is the main reason from my discussions with some of those involved in the protest jump (and other jumpers).

It sounds like we ALL want to jump El Cap, but only a few of us want the rating system. I think for legalization, we must have the rating system. If you don't want a rating, then you can always jump your local antenna....

base428

[Mike]

That's all it is, words on paper. BUT to the opposition, it should reflect some credibility on our part, and we need that badly. Obviously their not buying in to the fact that we 'make our own rules' and actually follow them (you know, the way we've been doing for so long now.) Read the editorials. What we know to be true is of no concern to anyone else. Try to remember what a small group we really are. Making ourselves heard in the current manner has set us up for some harsh criticism. To bounce back and make progress, we might have to make sacrifices and TRY SOMETHING. Mick's made a good start, but he can't do it alone, so let's put our heads together and agree on something!

[guest]

You hit it right on the nose with the custodian analogy. They don't care if we play or not. The big issue is that They are in the position of power. The precidence has been set and the burden is on us to change it. If that means that we have to settle for some conditions we don't like, it may be just a matter of you take the bad with the good.
I am not advocating the liscence however. I feel that the best way a jumper can stay alive is by finding a willing teacher. Self preservation is a far greater influence to find experience than a liscence requirement. I think where self preservation lacks, Darwin should take over - although I understand the Beurocracy does not see it that way.
My point is this: Although I don't believe it should be required, it just might be necessary. I would just like to exhaust other possibilities before settling for this.
Todd
P.S. Where is Robin? Help us out here buddy!

[Keith]

Robin went to Singapore just after the Yosemite protest to be with his Singapore girl.

[guest]

Yo Todd!
Shoot me a mail when you get a chance!

C-ya!

[imported_mknutson]

I have presented this system because NOBODY HAS STOOD UP AND SAID IT BEFORE.

I did not expect all the negative feedback though. I thought that I would get negative and positive feedback.

I could site here and answer all the quesons in the world. But until you people stop ##### bitching and start listening or acting toward a common goal, my efforts are in vein.

I am not saying that I want to confine everyone. Why the ##### would I want to restrict myself? Even though I spend over 40 hours a week slaving over this site just to be battered, does not mean I do not enjoy all types of jumps (B.A.S. AND E.).
A real issue with this is that I keep seeing newbe's jumping stuff they are not knowledgable enough to jump and then getting into trouble and getting the site PLASTERED on the 10:00 news. Just to wave "peace" to the cameras.
We are running out of local objects because of ignorence.

I am just seeing too many people who have very little knowledge, trying to instruct their friend so they can be cool! What a dumb ass! The istructor needs to have a hell of a lot of knowledge and experience in order to tech! The student does not know any better. This system is geared to help both of these people.

I used a couple of objects in the back of the document as a general reference to what grades different objects are. Excuse me for putting something on ther you did not feel was correct. I have run out of time. I put something there in the hopes that a rational person would write me a list and help evolve this document.

I have felt a drive to help the community and need everyones help. There are not many of us worldwide . If you want to help, then do so now.

Mick...