Many forms of jumping are available in the area, from BASE jumping and sky diving, to the involuntary leap from rock cliffs and the occasional suicide. Most popular, though, are base jumping and sky diving. BASE Jumping BASE (Buildings, Antennae, Spans, Earth) jumping takes place at the New River Gorge Bridge on Bridge Day. The bridge is 876 feet high and overlooks the New River. Bridge Day, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., is the only time BASE jumping is legal. There are a limited number of slots available so you must register in advance to sure you will have the opportunity to jump. Bridge Day is the third Saturday in October. You should plan to arrive at least one day before the event and plan to stay at the Carnifex Ferry Cottages or the Driftwood Lodge, if available. Bridge Day is organized by Andy Calistrat of the World BASE Association. He’s organized it for the past several years. He holds the permit for the jumping, and everyone who jumps has to be registered through the WBA. His e-mail address is andy@starbase.neosoft.com, and his phone number is (713) 437-0323, evenings. You can also write to him via snail mail at World BASE Association
PO Box 451636
Houston TX 77245-1636 Rental gear has not been available in the past but you can get what you need to convert your own gear as long as you have the basics. You should also have reasonable accuracy skills, some exit practice, and live wet-water training. One-hundred jumps (sky diving) is a good minimum experience level. Bunjee jumping is no longer allowed at Bridge Day. The organizers of the event felt that BASE jumping offered more excitement and fun for the crowd. A BASE Jumpers “board” is available at http://www.websolution.com/base/board/. Happy jumping! Parachuting and Sky Diving Parachuting and sky diving are available at Sky High Adventures, Inc. With only 30 minutes training you’ll be out the door of a perfectly good airplane! Experience 30 seconds of exhilarating free-fall and a 5 minute serene canopy ride back to mother earth, all of which can be video taped by an in-air photographer allowing you to relive your experience again and again! Sky High Adventures, Inc. is located at the Summersville Airport off US 19, 1 mile south of Summersville. Their address is Sky High Adventures, Inc.
PO Box 786
Summersville, WV 26651 They may be reached by phone at (304) 872-0161 or toll-free at 1-800-DIVE-OUT. Carnifex Ferry Cottages and the Driftwood Lodge offer lodging close to the airport, Summersville Lake, and the many recreational opportunities that this area of West Virginia has to offer.
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