Gathering In Malaysia Is An Annual Event

In what has become an annual four-day event, 95 professional BASE jumpers gathered in Malaysia recently to plunge from the top of the 1,380 foot tall Kuala Lumpur Tower. The oldest of the jumpers was said to be 72.

The event has come to be known as the International Tower Jump. The Sun newspaper reports that the BASE jumpers came from 18 countries including France, Austria, Australia, and New Zealand to participate in the 12th annual event.

According to the event's website, the jumps are organized by 56-year-old Malaysian Aziz Ahmad, who first asked for permission to jump from the tower in 1999, and was surprised that it was granted. He was one of three people to jump from the tower during a celebration of the third anniversary of the opening of the tower.

Only experienced BASE jumpers need apply. The organizers say that those who participate in the event must be "capable of jumping in a sensible and safe manner." They "prefer" applicants to have at least 100 BASE jumps, have made at least 20 BASE jumps within the previous 12 months, and have been actively BASE jumping for at least 2 years.

The event features four full days of BASE jumping, including night jumps. It continues through this weekend.

(YouTube frame capture from 2010 event)

FMI: www.kltowerjump.com