Author: Jorge Perez
BASE jumping, according to a Google search, involves jumping from a fixed object and using a parachute to land. Furthermore, BASE is an acronym for Buildings, Antennas, Spans (bridges), and Earth (cliffs). Not much is widely known about BASE jumping. When I first heard about it, I thought it was just people jumping off of high places with parachutes to land safely. What I didn’t realize was that it’s an entire culture that attracts people who love adventure.
I had the opportunity to watch FLY, a documentary by Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau, which explores the world of BASE jumping. The film follows a select group of jumpers as they explain and show what it means to be part of this unique community. I also got the chance to speak with some of the jumpers featured in the film to better understand this exhilarating sport. The BASE jumpers I interviewed are Espen Fadnes, Amber Forte, and married couple Scotty Bob Morgan and Julia Botelho Morgan.
While I knew the standard definition of BASE jumping, I was curious to hear how the jumpers themselves would describe it. Scotty Bob Morgan said, “It’s a collection of misfits. It’s people that like to explore the world and experience new things and maybe have a little less fear of risk. We all get into this through skydiving mostly. In skydiving, we’re jumping out of anything that flies, but in BASE jumping, we’re jumping off stuff that’s attached to the ground.” Forte added, “Well, I’ve only ever done the jumping from the earth spot, so technically, I’m not a BASE jumper. For me, BASE jumping is about climbing up an object, jumping off it, flying down, and opening a parachute so I can land safely.”
Though BASE jumping is exhilarating, many people may wonder, “Are they crazy?” or “Why do they do this?” These questions are valid, but BASE jumping offers a significant release for these athletes. I asked how BASE jumping has affected their mental health. Fadnes reflected, “Most of the people around me stopped having hobbies. They moved on to work, studies, and building a framework for life. I felt there was a deep hole inside me, something missing, a lack of purpose, and it disturbed me mentally. BASE jumping, in a way, forced therapy or meditation because when you jump off a mountain, you’re very present. You’re not thinking about what to have for dinner when you’re in free fall. You’re just right there.” Julia Botelho Morgan added, “I lived both sides. I was a lawyer, working mainly to please my parents, especially my dad, who’s also a lawyer. I did that for six years until I realized I was unhappy. It was hard to switch careers, especially when I was making money, but I wasn’t happy. For me, it was important to accept that, even if it didn’t make my family happy.”
On the other side of the camera, I was curious to learn more about what inspired FLY and how the filmmakers approached such a challenging subject. Schwarz shared, “This documentary was seven years in the making. I had a friend who was a serious climber, and he told me about a group of climbers-turned-BASE jumpers who were jumping in Yosemite. We went out there thinking, ‘What are these people doing? Do they have a death wish?’ But we quickly met a group that had a life wish, and they inspired us. We realized there was an amazing documentary here because it’s time the world got to know these people.” The documentary offers incredible angles and perspectives of the jumpers, with Schwarz and Clusiau allowing viewers to experience the life of a BASE jumper as closely as possible. It also raises the question: “Am I brave enough to do this?”
Given the challenges of making this documentary, there were bound to be stressful moments. I asked Schwarz and Clusiau how they managed self-care during the process. Clusiau shared, “We’re partners in work and life, which has both benefits and challenges. A lot of it was about keeping each other honest.” She emphasized how having someone going through the same experience was essential for maintaining self-care. “We spent a lot of time talking about the subject, the issues, and the film. Having a partner made me feel like I wasn’t doing this alone.” Schwarz added, “Christina nailed it. It was a long journey. Seven years is longer than people think, and when you see the final product, it looks so easy.”
When I asked what they hoped viewers would take away from the documentary, Forte replied, “I hope people gain a greater understanding of who we are and what we do. I want them to be less ready to judge us for being selfish or risk-takers. People often call me crazy or an adrenaline junkie, but I don’t feel like a crazy person. I feel quite normal. This film is a real representation of what it feels like to be in this community and do this for a living. I hope viewers understand that.
FLY premiered on National Geographic on September 24 and will be available on Disney+ and Hulu starting September 25. Check it out for an in-depth look into the world of BASE jumping!
