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Bridge Day

Jump Together Now

Fayetteville, West Virginia, U.S.A.

For the past 30 years, hundreds of parachutists have been leaping off the New River Gorge Bridge during the world’s only legally sanctioned BASE jumping event—Bridge Day. More than 450 BASE jumpers and up to 200,000 spectators attend this fall festival in Fayette County to celebrate and be entertained by the world’s second-longest, single-arch bridge.

The acronym BASE stands for the different stationary structures from which enthusiasts of this extreme sport catapult themselves: buildings, antenna towers, spans, and earth. Most times, BASE jumpers run the risk of arrest because they must trespass to climb tall buildings. On Bridge Day, jumpers are safe from arrest, but the other risks of this adrenaline rush, including death, are as great as ever.

While novices can safely attempt skydiving in tandem with experts because there’s time for safety precautions and back-up measures like reserve chutes, BASE jumpers typically have just 2 to 4 seconds to deploy their parachutes because of the low altitudes from which they take off. BASE jumping is a seriously dangerous exploit reserved solely for practiced daredevils.

If you’re one of them, you must pass strict requirements to qualify as a jumper off the 876-foot (267m) New River Gorge Bridge. You must have already completed at least 100 skydiving parachute jumps and attend an advanced training session called “Bridge Day First BASE Jump Course (FJC)” or be trained by an approved mentor. The Snake River BASE Academy (www.snakeriverbase.com) teaches training courses right before Bridge Day. To learn more about BASE jumping preparations, sign up for classes, or register for a jump pass; visit www.bridgeday.info.

10 Skydiving Adventures: Thrills on High

Skydiving has always attracted thrill-seekers and daredevils. Whether you’re interested in overcoming a fear of heights or feeding an adrenaline-sports addiction, skydiving won’t disappoint. Below are areas and outfitters who offer some of the best skydiving in the world. As usual, before you make the leap (er, fall) be sure to inquire about instructor experience and certification as well as about company safety records. —CL

Gruyere, Switzerland: Not only is the region in southwest Switzerland home to some of the world’s most delicious cheeses, but it’s also the launch-point for some of the world’s most daring adrenaline junkies. It’s hard to imagine more stunning scenery than the Swiss Alps. Good thing, because you’ll be hurtling toward them after jumping out of a plane at 4,000m (12,800 ft.). The Ecole de parachutisme de Château-d’Oex keeps things interesting for its divers by moving around from location to location within the area on various weekends. 41/22-366-18-70;www.epco.aero.

San Diego, California: Only 25 miles from downtown San Diego, Skydive San Diego offers a unique diving experience. Where else can you take off and land in the same spot? Because they’re located at a dedicated skydiving airport, Skydive San Diego allows your friends, family, and others you want to impress to watch as you hurl yourself from sky high and float gracefully back to earth. Launch a tandem jump or an AFF Solo jump, depending on your level of experience (and nerves). The views are amazing. From 13,000 feet (3,900m) you can see downtown San Diego, Coronado Island, and the San Ysidro mountain range. 800/FREE-FALL [373-3325] in California or 619/216-8416; www.skydivesandiego.com.

Oahu, Hawaii: Although it offers only tandem jumps (no soloing here), it’s hard to beat the setting for skydiving over the island of Oahu. Known for its amazing surfing and the big city of Honolulu, the most urban of the Hawaiian isles is also spectacular from 14,000 feet (4,267m) in the air. From your sky-high vantage point, you can see the entire island, including Pearl Harbor, the North Shore, and all the way to Diamond Head. The experienced staff at Pacific Skydiving