Kuala Lumpur ( CNN ) -- Launching off a 300-meter-high tower platform with only seconds to pull your rip cord might sound like the act of an insane person . But that 's exactly what 103 base jumpers from 20 countries -- presumably all of sound mind -- did in Malaysia over the weekend . The jumps were part of the annual KL Tower International Jump 2013 , held in Kuala Lumpur from September 27 to 30 . Kat Donahue , 32 , a location manager from the United States , was one of six women jumping this year . `` A lot of people do say I 'm crazy but my family is pretty supportive , '' she said . `` Jumping can be scary , but when you calm your nerves and become quiet it 's very peaceful out there , meditative . Base jumping can be solitary but this is such a social event , it 's great . '' This year 's jump also welcomed Sean Chuma from the U.S. , a pioneer in tandem base jumps , and Lonnie Bissonnette , a paraplegic base jumper from Canada . More : 10 things to know before visiting Malaysia . `` Lonnie is inspiring for me as there are extra risks involved for him , but he has been jumping for years , '' said event organizer Gary Cunningham , 42 , an electronic engineer from Australia . `` Unfortunately his accident was caused by base jumping , but he highlights how if one avenue closes you focus on what you can do . Lonnie has been able to do some pretty amazing stuff . '' Cunningham has been organizing the Kuala Lumpur event since 2005 and has around 2,900 jumps under his belt . He said if you want to try base jumping , start by skydiving . `` Through skydiving you learn precision falling and how to handle parachutes . You also learn how to deal with things when they go wrong . The potential risk is very real . '' World 's worst pick-up line ? With risk comes reward -- the ultimate adrenalin buzz . But you 'd be mistaken to assume that saying you 're a base jumper works as a pick-up line . `` It does n't help you pick up women , it helps you lose them actually , '' said Peter Wyllie , 33 , a junior doctor from Australia . `` Women tend to see base jumpers as not a particularly secure future . Who wants to have babies with someone who is committed to tracking down a 4,000 foot wall ? '' The point was echoed by David Laffargue , 24 , from France . `` Some women say they 're scared of the sport , but then I do also spend all my time and money on base jumping ! '' '100 % of people who drink bottled water die ' Base jumping is dangerous . From 1981 to the present there have been more than 200 fatalities related to the sport . The base jumping community tries to minimize risks . In order to leap from the KL Tower , which opened in the Malaysian capital in 1996 , jumpers need to have two years of experience and more than 120 jumps under their belt . More : 10 best islands for a Malaysia holiday . Veteran base jumper Chris `` Douggs '' McDougall , 37 , known for shouting `` ready , steady , spaghetti '' as he throws himself off the edge , stresses safety . `` It 's not about having [ guts ] , it 's about arming yourself with knowledge -- risk management is key , '' he said . `` We accept what we do is dangerous but we want to see everyone walk away safely . One hundred percent of people who drink bottled water die . Life is a risk . If you accept that you will die you get on with living . Base jumpers focus on the positive . '' Insane ? `` Bonkers , '' `` mad '' and `` nuts '' were adjectives hurled at jumpers by spectators attached to the tower 's ledge with safety harnesses , as they looked over the edge and snapped photos . `` We did n't realize the festival was going on , '' said UK tourist Jessica Pugh , standing on the open deck of the tower watching jumpers leap . `` We were just sat in Nando 's and saw someone fall off the tower -- we thought they 'd jumped , '' added her partner , Jordan Lott . `` Thankfully we saw them pull the parachute . That was an experience in itself and then we came up here to see it . It feels better to watch than to do it yourself . '' More : How to do Malaysia ... and get it right . CNN Travel 's series often carries sponsorship originating from the countries and regions we profile . However , CNN retains full editorial control over all of its reports . Read the policy .
Base jumpers from 20 countries took part in the KL Tower International Jump 2013 . The jumper, who was born and raised in Germany, said he had been inspired by his father to try jumping after watching him jump off a building at an airport. Paraplegic base jumper from Canada among festival participants .