About Apex BASE

About Apex BASE

In the BASE Jumping industry, Apex BASE is the epitome of quality, class, dedication and professionalism in every aspect of the business. Standing strong on a foundation as the first BASE Equipment manufacturer, APEX brings more cumulative years of experience in BASE Jumping and manufacturing than any other company in the world. We are known not only for the superior equipment that we produce, but also for the exemplary standards that we exhibit in our ethics, education, and safety. APEX BASE founders, Todd Shoebotham, Marta Empinotti, and Jimmy Pouchert's resumes exhibit the experience and knowledge that can only be found by those persons at the forefront of any industry. APEX BASE is always available to discuss and answer any questions regarding equipment, objects, sites, conditions, general knowledge, and industry events.

The Apex BASE (R)Evolution

The 80's:

Todd began skydiving in 1984, started rigging 2 years later, then "jumped" into B.A.S.E. in 1987. By the end of that year he earned BASE #169,became an FAA rigger and was awarded his first instructional rating. Along with his brother Troy he founded T&T Rigging and began manufacturing the first BASE specific harness/container systems and accessories.


Marta moved to the US from Brazil at age 20. After only 30 skydives she discovered BASE while it was still in it's infancy. There was no BASE specific gear, and in 1988 she began building BASE gear, relying on her skydiving gear and BASE jumping knowledge and experience to make appropriate gear for the sport, and Vertigo was born.

The 90's:

In 1993 Todd partnered with Anne Helliwell BASE #222, who had designed the first BASE specific parachute, the FOX, and Basic Research, Inc. was born. Other BASE gear innovations included the Tail Gate, the Multiple Bridle attachment, and BASE jumping training and expeditions. By the end of the 90's BR had begun testing its new idea of bottom surface vents, later to be named Vtec.

Jimmy was following his dream of snowboarding in Breckenridge, Colorado, also participating in SCUBA, climbing, and mountain biking, then finally found skydiving. Soon after beginning teaching skydiving he decided it needed to be his daily event. Freeflying was the brand new skydiving discipline at that time, and Jimmy joined two other freeflyers and formed the team Perris Valley Structure Fire. Jimmy got an opportunity to try BASE jumping, and on a dark tower late at night, after five minutes of instruction, Jimmy jumped into the unknown and immediately was hooked for life.

Todd met Marta in Deland, Florida, for the first time during the early part of this decade, and in 1996 Jimmy and Marta met in Hawaii.

Into 2000:

Jimmy and Marta, uniting both personal and professional lives, moved to Moab, Utah, and changed Vertigo to "Vertigo BASE Outfitters", enjoying the uncounted jumpable cliffs of the Canyonlands as well as BLM tolerance for BASE jumping.

Back in Perris, the beginning of 2000 ushered in the first production of the Vtec canopy design, and in 2002, 9 years after the inception of the FOX, the FLiK canopy was tested and introduced. The sport had grown tremendously during the 90's, and as Anne exited BR to return to nursing, Todd, Jimmy and Marta decided joining forces was the course that would enable both sides to continue to provide BASE gear, training, expeditions and events without losing their minds. "And the Two Become One" was the motto of the newly formed Apex BASE, which made it's official debut at Bridge Day in 2004. (?) Todd would remain at Apex Perris and manage the production side of things, while Marta and Jimmy would run Apex Moab and manage all first jump courses and other events. Design would be a collaborative activity, which was proven nicely with the introduction of the Apex DP (Dual Pin) harness/container system jointly created by Todd, Jimmy and Marta.