SitSki BASE - The world's first BASE jump in a sitski!

[SitSki13]

So I'm back in the UK and working on a detailed proposal to get funding for my next crazy idea; a sitski BASE jump.

I had some good responses from people at the ski show in Denver and really want to go ahead with this if I can get the support and funding.

I obviously need to go through a lot of training and preperation but see no reason why this isn't possible at all and think it'll make the most amazing documentary film in a while, plus hopefully make a pretty awesome ski porn segment.

I'm still working on everything so don't want this thrown out to people before it's all finished and the website is live, please don't pass this on to people to see if they'd be interested yet!

I just wanted to see if the maggots think I'm on the right lines and if you have ANY ideas for anything at all that might make the final proposal more successful.

Not sure how to upload a PDF for you all to see, so here's screenshots of the PDF as it stands at the moment.

[powdherb]

I like it a lot and I'm normally a skeptic dickhead. I would work on the language a bit, maybe get it professionally written and more succinct. Other than that, best of luck. Sounds like a rad idea that will happen.

[bostonjohn]

nice, i agree with some adjustments on the language... but i will be in at some level of support....keep doing what your doing

[SitSki13]

Any pointers on specific parts where the language/grammar/writing is crappy or needs improvement would be great.

I'm not the greatest writer in the world, otherwise I wouldn't of joined the Army and then become a ski-bum.

[bostonjohn]

i would put a link to your facebook page on your sig on this website... more facebook friends is KEY these days, i just checked for you on there and there are over 5k andy campbell

[SitSki13]

Pfft, facebook friends are nothing compared to the amount of facebook imposters you have. Obviously I have over 5k people impersonating me

(facebook link in siggy, add me)

[DoWork]

Sickness! That should make it way easier to approach potential sponsors... So pumped to see you taking this and running with it Andy! Let me know if there's any way I can help!

[Elkhound Odin]

You have a great deal about the training you need, but nothing about the film production crew you signed up to document this. Who are they and how are you paying them? It appears to be an afterthought at best.

[A2thaK]

This is rad. Good luck. Keep us posted when you get this up and running, I'd love to help out your cause!

[powdork]

PARAchute
PARAplegic

coincidence?
i think not.

[BestofShow]

Dedicated is right Andy! Keep up the drive. Ever consider adding a few comments from others in the industry you've ski'd/worked with? Could help marketing yourself if other pro athlete's, ski industry people, etc are quoted on your site describing you.

[Caucasian Asian]

Good luck with this Andy

[SitSki13]

You have a great deal about the training you need, but nothing about the film production crew you signed up to document this. Who are they and how are you paying them? It appears to be an afterthought at best.

I had planned on filming the majority of training myself, with the help of the jump schools instructors and camera set-up. GoPro want to give me cameras to film everything with too. I don't imagine much need for a pro production crew until the actual ski-BASE itself, and then editing afterwards.

I have an editor ready and willing to work on this with the expectation of it being pitched to TV networks and him getting paid through that.

So should I add another page explaining the film itself a bit more and how it'll be filmed, produced etc etc?

[mwthomsen]

Andy,

First off best of luck. I would agree with the others it needs to be more succinct. I am a former member of the 82nd Airborne Division, skydiver and skier, so I am immediately intrigued by your story, and I only made it through the first two pages.

One specific grammer part, second paragraph (learnt to paraglide) should be learned to paraglide.

[grizzle6]

Andy--
I didn't look at the whole thing, but it seems well put together and well thought out. The problem, however...is that I didn't read the whole thing.

Before pursuing photography full time, I worked in Marketing/PR for numerous years, and I imagine any other experienced Marketing/PR professional on here will tell you the same thing: Less is more.

I'd try and shorten down to a MAXIMUM of three pages. I think it would be a bit too lengthy even then, but you obviously have a compelling story with a lot to say.

If you still feel like you need lots of pages, maybe consider crafting a one-sheeter that has the what, when, why, how, where, etc. For those that show interest, you could then hand/send them the more lengthy and detailed version.

As it is now, I think people will be hard pressed to delve very far into at first glance, as it just feels a bit too long.

Good luck!

[SitSki13]

Thanks for the input. I'm taking "needs to be more succinct" as "fuck, you talk too much", where do I need to make cuts and shorten things out?

[Elkhound Odin]

So should I add another page explaining the film itself a bit more and how it'll be filmed, produced etc etc?

I'm hardly anyone to provide any advice about these kind of details. I was thinking this endeavour looked like it might fit the mold of Ewan McGregor's "Long Way Round", where he hired a camera guy to film his around the world motorcycle adventure. He realized right from the start, he needed a pro to do the filming to make the documentary worthwhile.

[Sessiøn]

Keep in mind that Andy is British. Therefore some of the wording will seem strange to others, but it is perfectly acceptable to him. I'm sure there are some Mag's out there with impeccable writing skills that could comment, or clean it up a little.
This seems like something Red Bull would be interested in sponsoring to some degree. It has all the elements. They sponsor all kinds of shit that regular everyday people will never be exposed to. So I don't see why something like this. Something that has awarenes goals. Would be less worthy of them dumping some money into.
Hopefully this goes farther. I'm looking forward to being able to donate to this. I just got my Die Living sweatshirt last week. I can't take it off.

[summit]

You could talk to this guy: http://www.zerop.net/website/pbase.htm
He's got 23 BASE jumps and claims to be the only paraplegic BASE jumper in the world right now.

[SitSki13]

You could talk to this guy: http://www.zerop.net/website/pbase.htm
He's got 23 BASE jumps and claims to be the only paraplegic BASE jumper in the world right now.

Yep, already talked to him. He is the only paraplegic BASE guy in the world at the moment too, totally awesome. There's only one other paraplegic even skydiving at the moment too. Part of all this is to prove what's possible and hopefully open up the sport to other guys. I'll be compiling a manual throughout training to pass to skydive schools around the world so they have a knowledge of the adaptive techniques required.

Allthough Russ has 23 BASE jumps none of them are with are with any kind of free-fall, essentially he's doing static line jumps. That's mainly because it's pretty hard to jump when you can't.....jump. By being able to propel myself off the mountain in the sitski I'll be able to clear any obstructions and hopefully get some free-fall time.

[Mathematics]

If you still feel like you need lots of pages, maybe consider crafting a one-sheeter that has the what, when, why, how, where, etc. For those that show interest, you could then hand/send them the more lengthy and detailed version.

agree with this...a shorter version to really get peoples attention, with maybe a "Get Involved" link or something at the bottom, than save the longer version for those that have shown interest.

stoked for you, I'm sure you'll be able to raise the cash flow in no time.

[Howie]

Wow. This looks extremely awesome. I'd definately want to see this if it happens. I'd definately donate some money for this. Best of luck.

[SitSki13]

Talking of donating money and helping raise funds: What do you all think about the 'rewards' and stuff for donating? Any other ideas or suggestions. What would you want in return for making a donation?

[summit]

Allthough Russ has 23 BASE jumps none of them are with are with any kind of free-fall, essentially he's doing static line jumps. That's mainly because it's pretty hard to jump when you can't.....jump. By being able to propel myself off the mountain in the sitski I'll be able to clear any obstructions and hopefully get some free-fall time.

For sure... I was wondering if you planned to eject your sitski (seems expensive and difficult) or do you plan to fly it down (seems even more difficult?)

[link1]

Yep, already talked to him. He is the only paraplegic BASE guy in the world at the moment too, totally awesome. There's only one other paraplegic even skydiving at the moment too. Part of all this is to prove what's possible and hopefully open up the sport to other guys. I'll be compiling a manual throughout training to pass to skydive schools around the world so they have a knowledge of the adaptive techniques required.

Allthough Russ has 23 BASE jumps none of them are with are with any kind of free-fall, essentially he's doing static line jumps. That's mainly because it's pretty hard to jump when you can't.....jump. By being able to propel myself off the mountain in the sitski I'll be able to clear any obstructions and hopefully get some free-fall time.

Andy, best of luck with your adventure! I have watched Russell go off the New River bridge. He actually dinged the bridge on the way down and broke some toes! There is another guy I know in Canada, who is a very knowledgeable BASE jumper and is a paraplegic. His name is Lonnie. If you need to get a hold of him I can probably get his info.