What is Bridge Day?
Bridge Day, held on the third Saturday in October every year in Fayetteville, West Virginia, is the largest extreme sports event and largest gathering of BASE jumpers in the world. More than 450 BASE jumpers from 10+ countries and 40+ US states will leap from the 876' tall New River Gorge bridge, hundreds of rappellers will descend on fixed ropes, and up to 200,000 spectators are expected to attend this year's Bridge Day on Saturday, October 15, 2011 from 9am-3pm EDT. BASE jumper registration begins on July 1, 2011 at 2pm EDT via our web store. For those with no parachuting experience, but a desire to make a BASE jump at Bridge Day, please check out our Tandem BASE Jumping information page.
Bridge Day spectators are permitted to walk the length of the bridge and watch jumpers leap from the bridge railing, enjoy the fall foliage, or patronize hundreds of vendors who sell everything from handmade crafts to funnel cakes. Admission is free for spectators. BASE jumping at Bridge Day is reserved for experienced jumpers, however, those with no parachuting experience now have the ability to:
- Make a tandem BASE jump
- Make a tandem skydive
- Slide down the highline
- Take a catwalk tour
- Try the zip line canopy tour
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If you're planning on making your first BASE jump at Bridge Day, please read our First Timers page to see if you qualify (you'll need at least 100 prior parachute jumps). If you're happier with your feet on the ground, we have plenty of information for spectators as well. For answers to common questions, please read our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Who Can Jump?
Jumpers must register online starting July 1, show up prior to Bridge Day for gear checks and meetings, and follow a few simple rules set forth by the BASE Jumping Coordinator and NPS. In addition, jumpers must have prior parachuting experience (at least 100 skydives and/or BASE jumps) and BASE jumping gear (or approved skydiving gear). Jumpers must be age 18 or older, in good health, and have the skills needed to perform a fixed object jump. Non-jumpers can opt to make a tandem BASE jump.
Jumpers must have made a parachute jump (skydiving or BASE) in the two years prior to Bridge Day. Our FAQ should answer many of your questions. Don't forget to review the BASE Malfunctions list and educate yourself on things you may have to deal with while BASE jumping. If you're a first time BASE jumper, sometimes it's best to contact us with your questions. We're here to help you have a memorable time at Bridge Day.
Register To Jump
Registration for BASE jumping at Bridge Day will begin on July 1, 2011 around 2pm Eastern Daylight Time (18:00 GMT) with payment via Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or Check. At that time, Bridge Day jump tickets and vendor booths will have their inventory increased and all 450 available jump slots will be available until all slots are sold out (normally takes from three weeks to three months). Registered jumpers can make as many jumps as possible in six hours, in addition to receiving free water rescue, shuttle buses, a t-shirt, free pizza/beer/soda during post-Bridge Day party, seminars, video festival, packing tarps, diving board jumps, etc. (further details here). Don't forget to read the Frequently Asked Questions page.
What Is BASE Jumping?
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BASE Jumping is an acronym for the four types of fixed objects that are utilized for these foot-launched skydives: (B)uilding, (A)ntenna, (S)pan, and (E)arth. BASE jumpers first skydive hundreds of times from aircraft before attempting to BASE jump.
Most people will never understand why we jump and words alone cannot describe the amazing feelings experienced on a BASE jump. Many BASE jumpers have normal lives with normal jobs and families. Most have been jumping around the world for decades and they come from educated backgrounds. BASE jumpers tend to be open-minded, intelligent, and curious. Jumpers are probably more scared riding motorcyles or wondering through the woods on the first day of deer season than making a BASE jump. BASE jumping has evolved enough over the last 30 years to be considered fairly safe. With nearly 1000 jumps made at Bridge Day each year since 1980, there have only been three fatalities (in comparision, West Virginia saw 53 ATV fatalities in 2006). BASE jumpers have chosen to participate in something that most people only dream of and their drive, energy, and appreciation for living life should be applauded.
Unlike skydiving, BASE jumpers typically use only one parachute as the lower exit altitudes of 200-2000 feet above the ground do not normally permit deployment of a reserve parachute. While it is legal to jump at Bridge Day for six short hours, any jumps made outside this small window can result in $5000 fines, gear confiscation, and a year in jail as imposed by the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS owns a small landing area on the East side of the bridge and they've arrested and prosecuted jumpers who've landed in or near the park. Fortunately, there are many legal bridges and cliffs around the USA and Europe where parachutists are welcome to enjoy their sport. The safest cliffs in the USA reside in our National Parks, but BASE jumpers cannot legally enjoy their sport on park property. To rent the landing area for six short hours this year, the NPS is charging Vertical Visions $2500 plus the requirement of a "million dollar per occurrence" insurance policy (about $5000 in costs overall).
Can I Just Watch?
Absolutely! Bridge Day was originally designed to allow people to walk the length of the bridge while enjoying the fall foliage and beautiful scenery. Throughout the year, the New River Gorge Bridge is closed to foot traffic and stopping your vehicle on the bridge is prohibited. After five daring parachutists were permitted to jump at the first Bridge Day back in 1980, it soon became apparent that watching jumpers would become the major attraction. In the early 1980's, crowds increased and hundreds of BASE jumpers flocked to the area to enjoy six short hours of legal BASE jumps.
Today, hundreds of thousands of spectators travel to the Fayetteville area and the event has routinely shown on live TV around the world. Spectators are encouraged to read our FAQ for further information on where to watch, what items you are permitted to bring on the bridge, and how to dress for the event
Recent News
Photos - Bridge Day 2011
More than 13,500 Bridge Day 2011 images have been uploaded to our Photo Gallery for your viewing pleasure. Five photographers captured nearly 55GB of high resolution images from the crane basket, railing, over the jump platform, and the LZ. Jumpers can purchase enlargements or digital copies online.
DVD - Bridge Day 2011
The Bridge Day 2011 BASE Jumping DVD was filmed/produced by Avenfoto and you can order your copy now.
BASE Videofest Prizes
Mark Kruse with Rigging Adventures donated another dual-pin BASE harness/container for the Videofest. Mark converts jumper's old vector containers to 2-pin BASE containers for a fraction of new. Contact Mark Kruse (856-217-9778) for a quote. Vertical Visions will be adding some cash to the Videofest prize bundle.
New Exit Trainer
Apex BASE will be teaching all our training courses this year and here is a photo of their custom-built exit trainer. The exit trainer permits jumpers to simulate a BASE jumping exit and determine if body position problems exist.
Did You Know...
...that 71% of all Bridge Day landings are safely made on shore while 28% land in the water? The remaining 1% is reserved for unfortunate jumpers who opted for the railroad tracks, trees, etc.
Jumping Beyond Bridge Day
A BASE jumping expansion plan has been the recent focus of Vertical Visions and numerous other jumpers who would like to see jumping extended to at least three days (if not everyday). The proposed jumping would take place underneath the bridge from the catwalk, but DOH officials are claiming it would create rubbernecking problems (even though jumpers aren't visible from Route 19). Further information is available here.
Idaho Town Becomes Mecca for Bridge Jumping
Legal BASE jumping every day of the year from the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls, Idaho has become quite popular. "There are no rules basically to ban BASE jumping," said Shawn Barigar, a city council member and chairman of the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. "The general reaction is 'no harm, no foul'. As long as it is not disruptive, and isn't causing any problems, more power to them." Full story is here.
Gear Requirements
Only BASE jumping specific and approved skydiving gear will be permitted at Bridge Day. A complete list of acceptable gear is available in our FAQ. The recommended setup is a BASE specific 7-cell canopy with a low aspect ratio, a Velcro or pin closed BASE specific harness and container, and a 38-48" pilot chute with at minimum 9' bridle (required).
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A helmet and protective pads are highly encouraged. If you plan on taking at least a 3-second delay, you'll want to purchase a mesh slider to speed up the opening of your canopy. If you have attempted to modify or purchase BASE specific gear, a tailpocket is another good idea to clean up your pack job and provide reliable on-heading openings. You can also rent gear from many BASE jumping manufacturers. Keep in mind that a 9' bridle and minimum 38" pilot chute are mandatory. Our experienced riggers will inspect your gear prior to obtaining your Bridge Day jump pass. Check out our FAQ for more answers to your gear questions.
Bridge Day 2011
The 32nd annual Bridge Day event will take place on October 15 with 450+ experienced parachutists (BASE jumpers) and tandem BASE jumpers leaping off the 876' New River Gorge Bridge. Jumper registration starts on July 1, 2011 around 2pm EDT. Registered jumpers can make as many jumps as possible for six hours in addition to receiving free water rescue, shuttle buses, a T-shirt, free pizza/beer/soda during the post-Bridge Day party, seminars, video festival, packing tarps, diving board jumps, etc. (further details here)
Vertical Visions LLC, from Bridgeport, West Virginia, has been selected as the official BASE jumping coordinator for Bridge Day 2011. This is our 10th year coordinating all BASE jumping activities for the Bridge Day Commission. Team leaders include Jason Bell and Bill Bird, both having extensive parachuting, BASE jumping, and Bridge Day organizing experience. Assisting will be Jason's wife, Jennifer Bell, and more than 70 volunteers. Some amazing things were done at the exit point in past years such as:
- $3500 in event fencing for increased security and jumper accessability
- Still cameras mounted above the jumper exit ramp
- A $5000 raised platform exit ramp (10' wide x 16' long)
- 16' commercial aluminum diving board
- BASE jumper vendor booth near the South end of the bridge
- Continued nationwide TV coverage
Many other details for 2011 are in the planning stages and will be posted here when available. There is NO bungee jumping at Bridge Day. To learn more about Bridge Day and BASE jumping, continue reading this website or feel free to contact us.
BASE Jump Courses
First time BASE jumpers are required to attend one of our courses unless they've been trained by a qualified mentor. Two official Bridge Day BASE jump courses are available from our partner Apex BASE.
- If you're looking for an advanced BASE training course, Apex BASE will be instructing a 3-day long Bridge Day BASE Jump Course during Bridge Day week.
- Alternately, the shorter Bridge Day Introductory Course will be held for 6-8 hours on the day before Bridge Day.
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We make first time BASE jumpers attend our courses or seek training from a mentor because they likely had extensive training when making their first skydive. In addition, BASE jumping is more dangerous than skydiving. Bridge Day jumpers can purchase a slot in either course when purchasing jump tickets starting on July 1. Remember, all jumpers must have made at least 100 parachute jumps (skydiving and/or BASE jumping) prior to Bridge Day
Sponsorship Info
Sponsor Bridge Day 2011 BASE jumping with banners, custom parachutes, clothing, products, coupons, gear, etc. The event has been shown live on shows such as CNN, NBC's Today Show, Headline News, the Weather Channel, and others since 2004 and BASE jumpers are the main focus.
Bridge Day 2011 Coverage
- Fox News (live)
- The Weather Channel (live)
- CNN (live)
- Headline News (live)
- ESPN E:60 (delayed)
CNN, Fox News, and The Weather Channel aired Bridge Day 2009 on live TV while Bridge Day 2008 was shown live on NBC's The Today Show, The Weather Channel, CNN, and Headline News. WV Media broadcasted three hours of live TV coverage of Bridge Day 2004 and 2005 to more than 1 million households in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio, as well as a nationwide program on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN). We're excited to see what Bridge Day 2011 holds!
Tandem BASE Jumps
TandemBASE and Vertical Visions are excited to announce the availability of 10 (ten) TandemBASE jump slots for Bridge Day 2011. Available for the first time in Bridge Day's 32-year history, people with no prior jump experience will be able to make a BASE jump while attached to a highly experienced jump professional. TandemBASE is the worlds first tandem BASE jumping operation. Located at the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls, Idaho, TandemBASE has developed a jumping technique based on the tandem skydiving method of instruction.
Bridge Day TandemBASE jumpers will experience a heart-pounding thrill beyond what words can possibly describe. At Bridge Day, TandemBASE jumpers will step off the exit point 876' above the New River and experience a 2 to 4 second freefall followed by an awe inspiring 40 to 50 second canopy ride and landing in the New River Gorge. After the jump, TandemBASE jumpers will receive a 2011 Bridge Day Jump Certificate and t-shirt marking their participation in the very first TandemBASE jumps made at the event. This is ultimate rush for those who seek it.
Bridge Day 2010 Stats
363 out of 450+ registered jumpers attended with the average jumper having made 90 prior BASE jumps and 1099 skydives. We made 1030 jumps in 6.5 hours with four ambulance rides (broken wrist, broken ankle, broken tibia, lower back injuries). More than 12 countries and 40 US states were represented. At least 100 first time BASE jumpers from 10 countries attended. The oldest jumper was a 70 year-old. Bridge Day 2010 was broadcast on live TV (CNN, Fox News, The Weather Channel, and Headline News). Check out our Bridge Day Statistics and Bridge Day History for further information. Congratulations and thanks to all jumpers and staff.
About This Website
BridgeDay.info was developed in 2002 by the Bridge Day BASE Jumping Coordinator to serve BASE jumpers attending the event. Jumpers can register for Bridge Day and learn about the largest BASE jumping event in the world. If you're a spectator, you'll still find plenty of pertinent information here, but you might elect to visit the official Bridge Day event website.
Bridge Day Videos
