Pacific Airshow Gold Coast BASE jump stunt promotion on Surfers Paradise beach

A heart-stopping BASE jump off a Surfers Paradise tower - green-lighted by police and the council - has stunned onlookers on the Gold Coast. See the full video

A daredevil stuntman and BASE jumper has hyped the 2024 return of the wildly successful Pacific Airshow with a heartstoppoing leap off a 77-storey Gold Coast highrise.

Seasoned adrenaline junkie and pilot Jackson ‘Jacko’ Strong pulled off the hair-raising BASE jump - sanctioned by police and council - from the top of the landmark Soul Building on Tuesday morning. He landed safely on the sand on live TV as onlookers cheered.

The thrilling leap from 240-metres up was one of Australia’s first legally-sanctioned BASE jumps to mark a 90-day countdown to the Gold Coast Pacific Airshow on August 16-19.

Mr Strong, with freestyle motocross background, has transitioned into BASE jumping and accumulated 250-plus jumps worldwide.

“The adrenaline sets in and everything just takes over and it’s just an indescribable feeling,” he said.

“Skydiving [is my background], and then one thing led to another. I had some friends who BASE jumped and then I just started too. It’s really a sickness once you start you can’t stop.” he said.

In a thrilling showcase to mark the 90-day countdown to the 2024 Pacific Airshow Gold Coast, two BASE umpers - Jackson Strong and a cameraman - launch off the Soul building. Picture: Adam Head

Mr Strong said he would be heavily involved in this year’s Pacific Airshow.

“Last year was already amazing so hopefully, we can add a little more BASE jumping this year and some dirt bikes as well. I’ll be here, there and everywhere between the bikes, BASE jumping and planes,” he said.

Among those nervously watching on was Pacific Airshow media advisor Deanna Nott who said the lead-up stress was high: “I was almost vomiting before he did it. But it was the most incredible thing you could ever hope to see.”

Mr Strong has been building his own plane for five years and hopes to fly it in the airshow.

“I just finished a five-year build about a week and a half ago. I’m looking forward to getting that up and I’ve just got to finish the test flying stages.

“I had a friend that built one. He did such a nice job and I saw his and thought you know what, I want to do that. Mine didn’t turn out quite as nice as his but it should be practical.”

In a heart-stopping high rise stunt, daredevil Jacko Strong performed a 246-metre BASE jump from the top of the Soul Surfers Paradise tower. Picture: Supplied.

In addition to the 246-metre BASE jump, Pacific Airshow director Kevin Elliott and Gold Coast City Councillor Darren Taylor landed on Surfers Paradise beach in a two STOL Bush Cat aircrafts.

“We try to do stuff that’s representative of the types of things that you’ll come to see at Pacific Airshow,” Mr Elliott said.

In a thrilling showcase set to mark the 90-day countdown to the 2024 Pacific Airshow Gold Coast, STOL Bushcat aircraft land on Surfers Paradise Beach. Airshow Director Kevin Elliott with one of the aircraft. Pics Adam Head

“Jacko Strong is a becoming an official brand ambassador. He’s a stuntman, daredevil, motocross guy, and BASE jumper.”

Also in the air on Tuesday morning was aerobatic pilot and aviation legend Matt Hall in an Extra 330 doing a handling demonstration, showing off the types of performances fans can expect come August’s three day extravaganza.

In a thrilling showcase set to mark the 90-day countdown to the 2024 Pacific Airshow Gold Coast, STOL Bushcat aircraft land on Surfers Paradise Beach. Red Bull pilot Matt Hall puts on a show. Pics Adam Head