Taken from The Times-News in Twin Falls, Idaho:
http://www.magicvalley.com/tn/opinio...Date=8/19/2002
Don't pull the ropes on BASE jumping
Kent Just
Should BASE jumping off the Perrine Bridge be regulated? No. The positive side of BASE jumping at the Perrine Bridge is several fold and far outweighs the risks involved.
The men and women of all ages from every walk of life from all over the world who come to Twin Falls to jump are extreme sports adventurers. They see that eight-second ride under a parachute off the bridge the same way that a bull rider sees his 8-second sport. Both are dangerous and require skill, training and excellent equipment. If you fall down on any of the three, your life might be in danger. Like the cowboy, they are tough but honorable and very decent people who view Twin Falls as a wonderful place to practice their passion.
BASE jumpers bring dollars to the community to spend on hotel rooms, restaurants and related items. Two thousand jumps or more per year is worth at least $250,000 to those serving BASE jumper needs. Spectators enjoy the excitement of seeing a person leap, hear the chute pop open with an echoing crack, and are in awe at the control the jumpers exhibit as they maneuver to the south side landing spot.
Regulation may place the regulators at additional risk. That could mean additional exposure for the Idaho Transportation Department, Twin Falls and Jerome counties if they attempt to place perimeters rather than basically turn their heads to other duties of real importance.
We are all sorry that a life was lost on June 15 in a BASE jump accident, but the young man knew the risks, had already made several jumps that day and was not "hot dogging." Eyewitnesses have told me it was an equipment malfunction. We've all had some kind of equipment malfunction in our lives, though not as deadly as this. But that was his choice. He purchased the equipment and packed his own chute as did the other seven who jumped at the same time with him.
He was taking a risk when he boarded a plane in Phoenix to fly to Salt Lake City. He was taking a risk when he rented a car to drive to Twin Falls.
Let the risk-takers take risks. They are dealing at a level few will ever reach but many wish they could. BASE jumpers know the dangers and they accept the challenges of attaining a perfect jump every time they leap. Twin Falls has quickly become a major BASE-jumping city in the world because we allow these men and women to ply their talents in broad daylight with spectators looking on. They love and respect our community. Let's not turn them into lawbreakers by pulling in the reins on their extreme sport.
Kent Just is the executive vice president of the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.
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