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jessespaulding
Mar 14, 2012, 4:39 PM
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Beginner Setup
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I am going to be learning how to sky dive in a month with hopes of getting into BASE jumping. I am going to be doing an AFF course down in Cali and then continue sky diving until I'm comfortable in MT.
Should I buy a whole BASE rig to learn on and what should I get?
I am 6ft tall and 145lbs.
Any suggestions are welcome.
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jessespaulding
Mar 14, 2012, 5:05 PM
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Thanks for the articles. I've been researching this for several years and have decided to start skydiving with some friends. We are committed to learn and I thought it might save me some money if I just bought my rig before learning.
Any suggestions on equipment?
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wwarped
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Mar 14, 2012, 5:32 PM
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Re: [jessespaulding] Beginner Setup
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fyi...
vid666 sells used gear, but is directing you elsewhere.
step 1
begin skydiving.
the school you choose will have gear requirements, but will also have gear to rent. they will start you off on large, safe parachutes. the sort that you may tire of quickly. most students look forward to advancing and flying more "fun" parachutes.
if you buy a rig your skydiving instructors deem "appropriate," they will let you jump it. 20 jumps on, you may wish you had something else...
step 2 (or 27...)
learn BASE
few actually complete all the skydiving training, so few will make it this far. (of course, EVERY experienced jumper has beat the odds...) buying a BASE rig to commence BASE training makes a ton of sense. buying it before you start skydiving could be an expensive mistake (if you fail to advance far enough to use it.)
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wwarped
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Mar 14, 2012, 7:08 PM
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Re: [jessespaulding] Beginner Setup
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it is your call. not mine.
skydiving will introduce you to parachutes, terms, and the technology. before you develop skills and judgement, how do you decide to buy, or which system to choose? how do you know what is right for YOU? how can anyone even give advice customized for YOU?
blind trust?
faith?
BUT, you don't have to listen to me. feel free to ignore me and make your own call.
this is only a random post from someone you do not know...
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jessespaulding
Mar 14, 2012, 7:14 PM
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That makes sense. I'm a climber so I guess it could compare to asking which climbing shoes to buy without ever climbing. Everyone's foot is different.
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TransientCW
Mar 14, 2012, 7:26 PM
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Re: [jessespaulding] Beginner Setup
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i paid 2300 for a BASE rig with about 5 jumps on it, which would normally cost around 3600 total roughly.
this is because the person who bought it brand spanking new had never BASE jumped. he put 5 jumps on it and decided that BASE wasnt for him. this happens to people sometimes, so even if you make it as far as doing a few BASE jumps, if you end up not pursuing the sport you will have wasted alot of money..........
just sayin, maybe you should learn to walk before you run bro.........cheers
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Halfpastniner
Mar 14, 2012, 7:31 PM
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Re: [jessespaulding] Beginner Setup
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jessespaulding wrote: That makes sense. I'm a climber so I guess it could compare to asking which climbing shoes to buy without ever climbing. Everyone's foot is different.
Actually its nothing like that. People don't die climbing because their 'foot was different.' They may because they got in over their head and did something they weren't ready for however. Buying a base rig before you've made a skydive certainly fits that category. It's also completely fucking retarded. Would you go buy a set of trad gear before you ever set foot in a gym? At least in that case, you wouldn't have the skills to get up the wall/get into real trouble. Unfortunately, in BASE, sometimes your first indication you didn't have the skills to do it may come wayyy too late.
Focus on skydiving. Its pretty dangerous, and if you really want to base jump, you will eventually meet the right people. Especially being a climber/videograher/ect.
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Zebu
Mar 14, 2012, 10:41 PM
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Re: [Halfpastniner] Beginner Setup
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Halfpastniner wrote: jessespaulding wrote: That makes sense. I'm a climber so I guess it could compare to asking which climbing shoes to buy without ever climbing. Everyone's foot is different. Actually its nothing like that. People don't die climbing because their 'foot was different.' They may because they got in over their head and did something they weren't ready for however. Buying a base rig before you've made a skydive certainly fits that category. It's also completely fucking retarded. Would you go buy a set of trad gear before you ever set foot in a gym? At least in that case, you wouldn't have the skills to get up the wall/get into real trouble. Unfortunately, in BASE, sometimes your first indication you didn't have the skills to do it may come wayyy too late. Focus on skydiving. Its pretty dangerous, and if you really want to base jump, you will eventually meet the right people. Especially being a climber/videograher/ect.
^ This
Equate what you ask to someone wanting to buy a full black diamond trad rack, shoes, ultra-light harness, porta-ledge, extra-long rope, full set of quick-draws, grigris, atcs, ETC without EVER HAVING set foot in a climbing GYM because they want to go do el-cap once they get their basics down. THAT is probably safer than just jumping into BASE....really ponder that a bit.
Go do your AFF (climbing gym), rent gear (climb on top-rope), do a bunch of practice skydives (lead climbing), and then find a mentor or FJC and do a few jumps BEFORE you buy gear (going out on a few trad climbs).
It will cost you LESS money because the entire time you can be scouting for awesome used gear deals (which you should run by experienced jumpers at the DZ). Trust me...take this from the guy that did pretty much what you're talking about. It worked out perfectly (I liked skydiving....love BASE) and STILL I wish I had done it the way I was told. You will save tons of money, get better gear suited for you, and MOST IMPORTANTLY - won't have the lure of the packjob bite you on the ass. When you get your BASE gear in, you won't be ready to jump. You will learn to pack with it. You will pack it over and over again until you get tired of just packing for no reason. Then you'll finish the PERFECT packjob that you don't want to unpack. Then you'll talk yourself into how a static line would be safe since you're a climber, you have basic parachute experience, and it's a pretty safe jump (even though you will have practically negative ability to determine what's within your skill set). And presto, you're in BASE way before you're ready. Some people take that route and do just fine. Some people die. Some people get fucked up.
Also, it'll ruin skydiving. You'll be so focused on BASE that you'll miss all the great opportunities in skydiving. The mention of the word BASE when you're still new will likely completely ostracize you from most people at your DZ, which will further mess up your ability to learn the necessary tips and skills that could save your life.
P.S. Tip - do not buy new shiny custom gear. You'll spend over 1300 that you could do ~57 more skydives with (that's a lot of experience). Also, don't get some nice zippy ZP top-of-the-line skydiving canopy. Instead, buy an old f111 7-cell reserve near your BASE canopy size (that'll handle a lot more like a BASE canopy) and use it instead (it'll be like a grand cheaper...theres another ~43 skydives) inside a used container....and the money you save will practically buy all the skydives you need...and why rush into BASE jumping when you have a bunch of skydives you can hammer out and do some awesome multi-ways with people. Hang out with anybody in the DZ that's into/good at 7-cell accuracy jumping.
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gauleyguide
Mar 15, 2012, 4:10 AM
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Re: [jessespaulding] Beginner Setup
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Just wait. What if you pound in on your first skydive and you destroy your back or knee? It happens all the time. Then you will have to sell your BASE rig to help cover whatever cost are associated with your injury and you will never make your money back on the rig unless you find some overly eager guy on the internet wanting to buy some gear before he starts skydiving.
If you are saying you want to buy a BASE rig before you skydive, you might as well say who wants to do my ash jump at BD. You're probably going to die BASE jumping and if you are wanting to prepare for it, then you need to PREPARE for it.
You said you have been researching this for years. What kind of research? YouTube? If you 'have' been researching BASE for 'years' and you still don't have a clue, quit while you're ahead!
Take it one step at a time. You've been to BD, you've seen an organized event that is somewhat safe. When you first start skydiving, 5000' will seem low, then 2000' will seem low, then at Spud span, 400' will seem low, but, eventually you will free fall 250' and have fun doing it. If you buy a BASE rig now, you could learn to pack, maybe get a discounted price at a FJC. It could also encourage you to hurry and jump it.
Good luck.
(This post was edited by gauleyguide on Mar 15, 2012, 7:56 AM)
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jessespaulding
Mar 15, 2012, 9:20 AM
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Re: [gauleyguide] Beginner Setup
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I see your concerns and this is why I wrote into the forum rather than just trusting the people I've talked to. I am by no means planning on rushing into the spot of BASE jumping. I am planning on getting hundreds of jumps before I move along.
I've been climbing for 15 years and have seen what happens to people that rush into the sport, and realize that BASE jumping is 100 times more dangerous.
I'll take it slow and just start with the rented gear during my AFF course and just invest more of my money into more jumps. I think that sounds like the best plan.
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jakee
Mar 15, 2012, 1:35 PM
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Re: [jessespaulding] Beginner Setup
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In reply to: Should I buy a whole BASE rig to learn on
No.
In reply to: and what should I get?
Nothing.
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jakee
Mar 15, 2012, 1:36 PM
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Re: [jessespaulding] Beginner Setup
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In reply to: I've been researching this for several years
Obviously not in any depth.
In reply to: We are committed to learn and I thought it might save me some money if I just bought my rig before learning.
No it won't.
In reply to: Any suggestions on equipment?
Don't buy any.
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jakee
Mar 15, 2012, 1:37 PM
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Re: [jessespaulding] Beginner Setup
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In reply to: I ask because my buddy was told to just buy a base rig before we start out.
He was told wrong.
In reply to: Neither of us have even been sky diving, but he's definitely buying a BASE rig before we head down.
Tell him not to.
In reply to: so that's why I've thought about buying a rig.
Don't.
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jakee
Mar 15, 2012, 1:40 PM
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Re: [jessespaulding] Beginner Setup
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In reply to: Everyone's foot is different.
And there are different types of climbing.
You're asking which set of cams you should buy to climb indoors at your local gym.
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long2jump
Mar 15, 2012, 7:27 PM
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Re: [jessespaulding] Beginner Setup
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To think about BASE jumping and buying your gear before you even start skydiving is idiotic. Your friend was told wrong and you should at lest get 100-150 skydives under you before attempting to learn BASE. I have 1200 skydives and am taking the FJC in June through Apex. There is alot to learn in skydiving, and you will have alot of fun doing it! You learn alot of skills skydiving. Tracking, parachute experience etc.. When you get that opening or tight spot to land in will you know what to do? Possibly even a malfunction you don't know how to clear before acquiring the skills needed to know what to do?
There is alot of folks here on this site and on Dropzone.com that will help and guide you. Your local DZ will love to have you and they will have fun teaching you. I know I have fun teaching students. If someone gives you on this site, it would be advisable to listen. It can save your life. I hope you enjoy learning skydiving from your local DZ. Which DZ are you planning to learn at?
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jessespaulding
Mar 15, 2012, 7:58 PM
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Re: [long2jump] Beginner Setup
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I am definitely listening to what everyone tells me. One of my favorite quotes is "Smart people learn from their own mistakes, but wise people learn from other peoples mistakes." I would like to be wise and learn from everyone on this site. There is a local place in Arlee, MT where I can start skydiving or I might head down to Cali for a week of training. Shit, maybe I'll do both and then just continue jumping out of Arlee. I'm in no rush, so I'll just dedicate a long time towards skydiving. Who knows, maybe I'll just get hooked on skydiving and be glad I wrote into this forum, and never bought a base rig.
I appreciate everyones input.
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hookitt
Mar 16, 2012, 8:59 AM
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Re: [jessespaulding] Beginner Setup
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http://www.dropzone.com/...s/Montana/index.html
That's the USPA dropzone list. I'm sure there are other non-uspa Dropzones or clubs as well. I didn't see Arlee listed but check it out if it's close to you.
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godfrog
Mar 16, 2012, 10:37 AM
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Yes Arlee is close to him, I believe Hod runs that one.
Lost Prairie is a few hours further north.
Can't remember where the Silver tips are jumping now. Some where around Zoo town.
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