Another world first for Dubai: American wakeskates on highrise's rooftop pool, then BASE jumps over the edge

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

American Wakeskating pioneer and three-time world champion Brian Grubb achieved an extraordinary world first in an innovative project that combined drone Wakeskating and BASE jumping. Perched atop the sky bridge at Dubai's Address Beach Resort, the Guinness World Record-holding infinity pool sits an astounding 294 metres above sea level. Grubb's daring journey began by wakeskating 94 metres across the rooftop pool, towed by a drone, before leaping over the pool‘s edge, seamlessly transitioning into a thrilling 77-story BASE jump and successfully landing at the beach below.

This remarkable accomplishment, known as "WakeBASE," realised Grubb's seven-year-old dream and marked a historic milestone. Here’s all you need to know: The WakeBASE project posed an unparalleled challenge for Brian Grubb, who has travelled the world Wakeskating unique places like Wadi al-Hidan canyon in Jordan, the icebergs of Cape Cod or Türkey's Cleopatra Pool.

The combination of Wakeskating and BASE jumping had never been attempted before, and Grubb was determined to be the first to showcase it to the world. Grubb explained: "I wanted to be the first person to do a combination Wakeskating switch into BASE jump and push myself to the highest level in my sports. I've had this idea for seven years, and not a day goes by when I'm not thinking about it."

Grubb added, “It’s been a long time coming, we had to build a drone that could pull us and I had to get more proficient in BASE jumping. Then we found this awesome location in Dubai and I just pulled off the sickest thing I’ve ever done on a wakeskate.” To prepare for this daring adventure, Grubb enlisted the expertise of Miles Daisher, a renowned BASE jump legend with over 4,500 BASE jumps to his name. Daisher designed a rigorous training programme to build Grubb's skills, recognising that Grubb had only 26 BASE jumps under his belt by December 2022.

 Grubb is towed by a drone as he wakeskates before the leap.

The pair began their extensive training at Daisher's facility in Idaho, USA focusing on mastering on 106m to 121m exit points. Next, Daisher and Grubb headed to Lauterbrunen, Switzerland, the best BASE jump area in the world and a town famous for its contribution to BASE jump lore. There, the focus was on six exit points, moving from the easiest to the hardest, High Ultimate at 305m, so Grubb could get comfortable and confident with freefall.

In total, Grubb clocked up 106 BASE jumps under Daisher's watchful eye. Grubb explained: “Mentally, this project was very demanding, but my training schedule prepared me for every moment. I’ve been training for BASE jumping all year with Miles Daisher to prepare for everything during the jump." In partnership with Prada, this world’s first project was also a fashion first for wakeskate and BASE jumping as Grubb was armoured in custom Prada Linea Rossa performance gear, optimised for both sports, combining high performance and innovation.

His shoes were specifically designed to ensure optimal grip on the custom Prada Linea Rossa Wake Skate, his board with a modern design, featuring the iconic emblem of the trademark. As Grubb continued to refine his skills, drone developer Sebastian Stare and his dedicated team undertook the extensive task of custom-engineering a drone specifically tailored for this unique project. “What makes the specific drone suitable for WakeBASE is the improved flight behaviour for Wakeskate moves. It was created at a semiconductor company specialised in automotive Microcontrollers, RADAR chips and power electronics.

It is our own unique IP, from hardware components to software ones like electronics, flight controller, algorithms, sensors, propellers, and safety tail. With insights from Brian himself, the drone functionality was improved and tested several times along the way to match the level he needs to perform WakeBASE,” mentioned Stare. Brian Grubb's WakeBASE project represents the culmination of over 20 years of Wakeskating and 15 years of skydiving, blending his two greatest passions.

For this latest project, Dubai was a natural location given its reputation as a hub for adventure seekers and as an iconic destination for astonishing feats. WakeBASE is a new landmark entry in the city’s incredible chronicle of remarkable achievements. On the unique location, Grubb concluded, “When we got this idea we looked for high water and there’s not much out there.

Then we saw the Address Beach Resort in Dubai with the highest invisible edge pool in the world and we had to come take a look at it. The building is set up for us, the way the pool curves is perfect for me as I’m right foot forward and the shape is what we needed for the ramp and then there’s this nice big landing area on the beach. As soon as we got eyes on it in person, we knew it was on and that’s when the real mission started.”