| Our 16' long commercial aluminum diving board and platform was first used at Bridge Day 2003 and proved to be one of the most interesting exit points ever offered at the event. Jumpers will have the opportunity to test out the diving board again this year. Jason Bell, the BASE Jumping Coordinator for Bridge Day 2003, designed the framework for this special system utilizing AutoCad 2000i software and the assistance of experienced divers and BASE jumpers. Local machine shops built the frame and handrails in September 2003 and the system was tested over solid earth before being used at Bridge Day.
"Convincing the Bridge Day Commission (BDC) to allow us to use the diving board for the first time was not easy", reports Jason. "BDC members were initially concerned with jumpers hitting their heads on the end of the diving board, but our mandatory helmet rule overcame these concerns". The diving board is open to experienced jumpers and helmet use is mandatory. The system has an adjustable fulcrum in order to provide more or less spring. Approximately 20-50 jumpers utilize the diving board each year for everything from twisting front flips to McConkey roll-over jumps. |
