Photo Credit: Kaya Lindsay
Taz, who prefers to go by one name, is the founder and director of the Moab BASE Association, now referred to as the Moab BASE Access. Standing up straight she reaches around 5 feet tall, speaks with a thick French accent, and is covered head-to-toe in black and blue tattoos. Taz is also passionate about BASE jumping. For those unfamiliar, BASE jumping is an extreme sport that involves jumping from high points and landing safely with a parachute. The acronym “BASE” stands for the high points BASE jumpers like to jump off: Buildings, Antennae, Spans (bridges), and the Earth.
There is a thriving Moab BASE jumping community, all with Taz—and the Moab BASE Access—at its center.
BASE jumpers may have a reputation for being reckless (they throw themselves off bridges, after all) but Taz’s thoughtful approach to community-building is anything but.
“Our primary goal is to ensure the sustainability and safety of BASE jumping in Moab,” Taz said. “We are involved in addressing the potential ban on BASE jumping in Bears Ears National Monument. We’ve raised over $180,000 for local nonprofits, we’ve also partnered with the Bureau of Land Management on several local projects, and we offer educational events like medical seminars and focused on safety.”
The annual “Turkey Boogie” has become a staple event of the Moab fall season, drawing in hundreds of BASE jumpers from all over the world to make new connections, celebrate, and of course, BASE jump. This has historically been during the weekend of Thanksgiving, and culminates in a large party to wrap up the weekend.
In a recent blog post, the Moab BASE Access announced the following: “While we will continue the long history of gathering and socializing, there will no longer be an official ‘party.’ This shift emphasizes that our community is dedicated to responsible recreation and committed to cultural changes that reduce our impact on the surrounding community.”
When asked about this shift, Taz said, “Since the beginning Turkey Boogie has been an ever-evolving event. We are constantly striving to find the best way to bring the BASE community together and support the Moab BASE Access mission while minimizing any inconvenience for the Moab community and its already strained resources.”
This year the Moab BASE Access has multiple community-focused events going on. On Monday, November 25 at 5 p.m. the group partnered for a fundraiser at Cactus Jack’s.
“All profits going to support SAR and local nonprofits,” Taz said.
People interested in getting involved or learning more can connect with the Moab BASE Access through their Facebook page, visit their website moab.baseaccess.org or email them at mba@baseaccess.org.
