Your First BASE Jump

Every year, we help 80-100 people make their first BASE jump from the 876' tall New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville, West Virginia. And every year these new BASE jumpers leave West Virginia with a handful of BASE jumps under their belt and one of the biggest smiles you'll ever see. Skydiving is a lot of fun, but BASE jumping is a true adrenaline rush.

Tips for first time BASE jumpers:

Make sure you register online for Bridge Day starting July 1 around 2pm EDT (18:00 GMT).
First time BASE jumpers are required to receive some form of BASE jumping training before attending the event. The following choices are available:

Attend our 3-day Bridge Day BASE Jump Course. This course typically consists of 18-20 jumpers who want advanced training and the ability to pack by themselves.
Attend our 6-8 hour Bridge Day Introductory Course. This course typically attracts around 70 jumpers who want the basics at a reasonable price (or those with tight schedules).
You can be trained by a qualified mentor.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) from start to finish.
Secure Bridge Day lodging as early as possible. Vertical Visions has contracts for hotel rooms, cabins, RV sites, tents on platforms, and unlimited camping that are offered to jumpers on a first-come, first-served basis (registered jumpers will receive an email containing lodging codes immediately after their jump pass purchase).
Purchase, borrow, or rent BASE gear or approved skydiving gear. Please reference our Bridge Day Gear Guide before you purchase a jump slot if you have questions about what gear is acceptable. Make several skydives with your system and insure you are familiar with the canopy. If you plan on renting gear, please contact a BASE Gear Manufacturer as early as possible.
Purchase a 42" pilot chute (2-4 second delays) and 9' bridle.
Practice packing your Bridge Day parachute and make several skydives with it. Find an experienced BASE jumper to mentor you, if possible.
Register onsite by 4pm on Friday, October 15, 2010 at River Expeditions' Fire Creek Lodge. We recommend you arrive by Thursday, October 14 so that you can soak up as much information as possible. Also, the BASE Videofest is on Thursday night.
Attend the jumper meeting on Friday night at 7pm for weather briefings, water rescue instructions, shuttle schedules, and tons of other important information. This meeting is mandatory for new Bridge Day jumpers!
Jump...jump...jump on Saturday, October 16, 2010 from 9am to 3pm.
Return to River Expeditions later that night for free pizza, beer, soda, wrap-up meeting, photos, videos, awards, and the party of the year.
Have fun!
Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.