Mike Vail
Skydiving/ BASE Jumping

Accomplishments: World Champion 92/93 Freefly Skydiving…Gold Medal 1997 ESPN X-Games Freefly competition

Residence: Alpine Meadows/ Lake Tahoe California

Age: 28

When I’m not going huge I’m…(hobby’s, outside career goals)
Riding Motocross, Fishing, Flying Planes, Base Jumping….I’m always going Huge.

What tunes get you psyched?
Mettallica, Godsmack, Marilyn Manson, Pink Floyd, Soundgarden, Uncle Dick.

What is your Favorite place to shred, climb…?
In Skydive Lake Tahoe’s King Air.

Where is your favorite place to kick back, relax, and forget about everything?
Can’t say….'cause then the whole world will show up.

At what age did you begin your sport?
22

What was your worst sport related injury, and how did you get it?
Broke my right foot off when I opened my canopy too low.

What was your biggest influence that got you where you are now?
I was tired of doing the same old stuff.

What pisses you off?
Park Rangers

If you could initiate a change in your field what would it be, and who would you want to influence?
I would influence all the Park Rangers to stop being such a bunch of ill-educated, un-informed kooks.

In what ways has the popularity of extreme sports changed the way you operate?
It has made Skydive Lake Tahoe very busy.

As the popularity of your sport grows are there any issues for newcomers that, as an experienced professional, you feel need to be addressed? What types of actions and attitudes are going to effect your sport in positive ways?
New people need to watch their attitude! Old pros need to as well.

There must be some negative issues surrounding your sport (i.e. safety, land management). What sticks out in your mind, and do you have any suggestions to control or minimize these circumstances?
When people ask for insurance to do what you do tell them, there is no such thing. It’s also hard to get people to let you land parachutes on their land.

What do you see in your future, and where would you like to see your sport be at in 5 to 10 years?
Freeflying into large stadiums at night with lazers, smoke, people tearing up the half pipe…kind of an aerial warp tour.

If you could relate one idea to the world, related to your sport or not, what would it be?
BASEJUMPING IS NOT A CRIME!