This morning, seasoned adrenaline junkie and skilled pilot, Jackson ‘Jacko’ Strong, took in the breathtaking Gold Coast views from a fresh perspective. He executed a spectacular BASE jump from the iconic Soul Surfers Paradise building. This thrilling spectacle, broadcast live on the Today show, stopped hundreds of onlookers in their tracks as they paused their morning walks and coffee runs to witness the spectacle.
Today’s leap is part of the three-month lead-up to the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast, scheduled for August. This event marks one of Australia’s first legally sanctioned BASE jumps off a building. Strong, at 32, has crafted a niche for himself as an adventurer of the skies and heights.
With a background in freestyle motocross, Jacko Strong has transitioned into a competent BASE jumper. He has accumulated over 250 jumps worldwide, including from the towering skyscrapers of Panama.
“Every time I do one, I have some fear, but I think that’s why I’m attracted to it,” confided Jacko. “BASE jumping makes all my problems drift away, and it is as addictive as the most potent drug in the world; you just can’t wait until the next time you get to do it.”
Living on his farm west of Wagga in New South Wales, Strong is also a passionate aviator. Having started flying over 10 years ago, he recently completed rebuilding his own Pitts Special after 5,000 hours of dedicated work.
Before this morning’s BASE jump from the 242-metre-tall Soul Surfers Paradise building, Strong emphasised the rigorous safety measures and protocols in place. He highlighted that this is not a feat just anyone can undertake.
Strong is set to become an ambassador for Pacific Airshow Gold Coast, promising to dazzle attendees in his newly built aircraft. He hopes to fly in formation with last year’s crowd favourite performers – the Screaming Diamonds. His fiancée, Saskia, a dental surgeon, supports his high-octane activities, keeping him ‘grounded’ despite her busy schedule.