the current state of para-alpinism

KAVU Athlete and wingsuit legend, Scotty Bob shares culture shift and lessons learned within the ever changing world of human flight

By KAVU

October 16^th, 2018

For the last nine years, I have been an active participant in the experiment of wingsuits and cliffs. As a younger jumper, I watched videos of the old brigade using trial and error to accomplish their dreams of human flight from years past. I remember being awestruck by their fearlessness in the face of uncertainty.

After all, we are doing something humans are not supposed to be able to do.

As I began to progress into the world of big mountain wingsuiting, I learned that a safe progression is the key to survival.

Since that realization, the goal has been to spread knowledge and good decision making across the community.

After a few tumultuous years of learning the old way, I moved toward trying to understand the air just as much as the rock. Getting as much air time as possible is the key to survival in our sport.

As humans, we are obviously more comfortable with our hands on the earth rather than sliding through the air.

It's great to see the community becoming better decision makers in the sky.

After three months traveling, to and from every corner for the best alpine flying sites, I would say that jumpers are getting smarter every day. The proliferation of knowledge and a more diverse understanding of air sports has helped the wingsuit BASE scene become a more sustainable endeavor than in years past.

Application of technology and mountain knowledge has never been so wide spread than right now.

I personally witnessed first season jumpers using lasers to analyze jumps. I saw the new generation doing their homework, rather than relying on chance to survive.

These are the signs of an experiment becoming a sport.

It is easy to be cynical in sport so dangerous.

The future of our activity will be one based on time and experience. Experienced jumpers have a responsibility to pass on the knowledge they have gained through sweat and tears. The enjoyment of what we do will be based on how we apply it…

and the good times we create with the friends and family around us.

Onward for more KAVU days!

Scotty-Bob

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Footnotes

Scotty-Bob has been leading the way through an ever changing and evolving... and beautiful sport of human flight. Follow his KAVU adventures worldwide!

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FootNotes

Scotty-Bob has been leading the way through an ever changing and evolving... and beautiful sport of human flight. Follow his KAVU adventures worldwide!

Havasupai 2025

the current state of para-alpinism

KAVU Athlete and wingsuit legend, Scotty Bob shares culture shift and lessons learned within the ever changing world of human flight

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