Darío Barrio has been immersed in the world of cuisine since the age of 14. He carved out a niche in this profession and now balances it with his hobby: enjoying adventure sports.
His speciality is BASE jumping, and we saw his skills firsthand during exhibition jumps at the World BASE Jumping Championship, held recently in Benidorm. Darío shares his feelings about this sport and doesn’t hesitate to recount his experiences.
Yumping.- A chef by profession, how did you get into BASE jumping?
Darío Barrio.- I’ve always loved outdoor sports and I’m an adrenaline junkie, so BASE jumping was the natural progression from skydiving. Manolo Chana, the most charismatic BASE jumper, has been my mentor.
Y.- To dedicate yourself to this form of skydiving, you first need extensive experience as a skydiver. Why did you decide to take it further?
D.B.- I started skydiving in ’95, and the leap (pun intended) to BASE jumping was inevitable.
Y.- Do you practice or have you tried other adventure sports?
D.B.- Absolutely. I do hang gliding, white-water kayaking, and whenever possible, scuba diving... Triathlons also give me a great buzz, but BASE jumping is undoubtedly the ultimate.
Y.- Do you think extreme sports are addictive?
D.B.- I don’t just think so—I’m certain. Adrenaline demands more adrenaline.
Y.- Where do you train for these jumps?
D.B.- I travel with my friend Armein to various spots across Spain. We also go abroad—Lauterbrunnen (Switzerland), Brento (Italy), Stavanger (Norway), Angel Falls (Venezuela)... Basically, anywhere with bridges, antennas, or buildings over 60 metres (laughs).
Y.- Of the four BASE jump locations (buildings, antennas, bridges, or earth), where do you feel most comfortable?
D.B.- Every jump is special, incredibly special. But if I had to choose, earth jumps (from cliffs, ravines, etc.) are the most magical because of the raw connection with nature.
Take the jump from Angel Falls in Venezuela—it wasn’t just about the leap but sharing the expedition with the Proyecto Alas team.
Y.- How risky do you think this sport is?
D.B.- It’s a discipline that leaves no room for error. There’s no Plan B—everything must be calculated to the millimetre.
Y.- What goes through your mind in the seconds before a jump?
D.B.- So many things. You feel fear and think, "What am I doing here?" But then you realise you’re enjoying and embracing that fear. You wouldn’t trade that jump for anything. Jumping makes you feel alive.
Y.- BASE jumping or skydiving?
D.B.- No contest: BASE jumping.
Y.- We saw you jump at the World Championship at the Hotel Bali in Benidorm, where Yumping.com was a sponsor. If it’s hard to describe the feeling of watching you jump, putting the sensation of leaping into the void into words must be even harder. Could you try?
D.B.- The sensations are intense and overwhelming. You’re right—it’s hard to explain. The rush of blood makes me feel alive, but there’s also peace and freedom. It’s proof there’s life before death.
Y.- How do you balance your restaurant "Dassa Bassa", your cooking show, and extreme sports?
D.B.- I’ve found that stepping away from the restaurant to pursue my hobbies makes me more creative, productive, and improves teamwork.
My wife encourages my hobbies because I burn off adrenaline, and she knows it makes me happy.
Y.- Is there anything you wouldn’t dare to try?
D.B.- Yes—I’d never dare waste time.
Y.- What’s your next big challenge?
D.B.- Jumping from the Eiger in Switzerland this summer. It’s a 1,800-metre wall.
Y.- How far would you like to go in the world of adventure sports?
D.B.- There’s a saying for that: "Have fun, be safe, and soft landings."
