Exit Point #17 - Matt Gerdes

Exit Point #17 - Matt Gerdes

Author: Exit Point July 12, 2022 Duration: 1:56:02

In 2012 Matt founded Squirrel, a company that manufacturers wingsuits, parachutes, and BASE jumping equipment. Among many other articles and publications Matt wrote the Great Book of BASE which is arguably the most comprehensive piece of writing on the sport. We talk to Matt about his early days in BASE, how he has seen the sport develop, and his process as a test pilot.  We dive into what motivates him to improve BASE jumping educational material and develop new technology in BASE.   Matt's links:  www.squirrel.ws https://base-book.com/

 


There's a particular kind of person drawn to the very edge of a cliff, a building, or an antenna, where the only way down is to leap. Exit Point is for them, and for anyone fascinated by what happens in that intense space between the decision to go and the ground far below. Hosts Laurent Frat and Matt Blank delve into the precise world of BASE jumping, but this isn't just a technical manual. The conversations naturally expand to explore the broader culture surrounding this extreme pursuit-the mindset, the community, and the constant negotiation with risk that defines it. You'll hear from individuals who have dedicated their lives to aerial sports and wilderness exploration, unpacking how they prepare, make critical decisions in split seconds, and process the profound experiences that come from human flight. Each episode feels like a candid hangar talk, offering tangible insights whether you're an experienced jumper with thousands of exits or someone who simply wonders what drives people to step into the sky. Tune in for a podcast that goes beyond the adrenaline, examining the meticulous craft and the powerful stories found at the literal edge.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 64

Exit Point
Podcast Episodes
#44 - Dan Darby: wingsuit progression, survival, training and racing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:56:14
In this episode, Matt and Laurent interview Dan Darby. Dan has been skydiving and BASE jumping for over fifteen years. He's a competitive wingsuit skydiver, BASE jumper, and a member of the US parachute team for wingsuit…
#41 - Yuri Kuznetsov: surviving and thriving in the world of BASE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:34
In this episode, Laurent sits down with Yuri Kuznetsov. Yuri made his first skydive when he was 13 years old, his first BASE jump in 1994 with skydiving gear, and has since made thousands of jumps. He has been active in…
#40 - Brian Germain: A Parachute And Its Pilot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:16
In this episode, Matt Blank interviews Brian Germain. Brian is a career educator with a master's degree in sports psychology and a groundbreaking parachute engineer and test pilot. Brian has authored numerous critically…
#39 - Luke Rogers: wingsuit performance, training and mindset [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:40
In this episode, Laurent speaks with Luke Rogers, a professional wingsuit pilot from Australia. He's won multiple national titles, podiumed at various world championships, and was the first person in the world to flare a…
#36 Marine Descols: Hypnosis, intuition, grief and a very close call [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:50
In this episode, Laurent speaks with Marine Descols. Marine is a hypnotherapist, wingsuit coach, and camera flyer. She did her first skydive at the young age of 12 and developed a passion for action adventure sports when…
#35 - Fred Fugen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:30:11
In this episode, Laurent speaks with Fred Fugen, a pioneer of modern parachuting and one of the most talented and innovative skydivers, wingsuit pilots, and BASE jumpers on the planet. Fred has won multiple world champio…