Miami Daredevil Mateo Massoni Redefines Urban BASE Jumping

A conversation with the athlete on the deliberate process, patience, and intention behind his viral videos.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:05pm

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In a world obsessed with immediacy, BASE jumping remains one of the few sports where time stretches and presence is not optional. For Mateo Massoni, a Miami-based daredevil, the space between the idea and the action is where the real experience exists. In this interview, Massoni discusses the meticulous preparation, decision-making, and creative vision that goes into his viral urban BASE jumping videos, which often only show the final few seconds of a much longer process.

Why it matters

Massoni's perspective provides a rare glimpse into the thoughtful, intentional mindset required for high-risk extreme sports like BASE jumping, which are often oversimplified or sensationalized online. By highlighting the patience, restraint, and problem-solving that precede each jump, the interview humanizes an activity that can seem impulsive or reckless from the outside.

The details

Massoni, who grew up moving around frequently before settling in Miami, discovered his passion for height, movement, and skydiving as a teenager. He eventually transitioned to BASE jumping, which allows him to navigate and explore urban environments in a fluid, creative way. However, Massoni emphasizes that the few seconds of each jump shown in his viral videos are the result of extensive preparation, including drone flights, weather monitoring, and mentally mapping out every detail of the jump. He also notes that introducing new variables, like an additional camera flyer, can quickly complicate even a well-planned jump.

  • Massoni got his skydiving license at age 15 while living in France.
  • He has been BASE jumping for several years, building up his skills and experience.

The players

Mateo Massoni

A Miami-based daredevil known for his viral urban BASE jumping videos, Massoni emphasizes the deliberate, patient process behind each jump rather than the final few seconds of action.

Miles Daisher

A prominent BASE jumper who has influenced Massoni's approach to the sport, particularly in terms of executing high-profile jumps in real-world environments.

Vince Reffet and Fred Fugen

The French duo known as the 'Soul Flyers,' who Massoni credits as pioneers in creative, technically advanced BASE jumping and wingsuiting.

Jokke Sommer

Another influential BASE jumper who Massoni had the opportunity to fly with, describing it as a 'surreal' full-circle moment.

Scotty Bob and Julia

Two of Massoni's closest friends and mentors in the sport, who have had a significant impact on his approach both in the air and outside of it.

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What they’re saying

“What people see is the last few seconds, the part where everything comes together. But that moment is built on days, weeks, sometimes months of figuring things out; observing weather, obstacles, testing ideas, going back and forth on whether it even makes sense to do.”

— Mateo Massoni

“It's not chaos, just precise enough to look like it.”

— Mateo Massoni

“When it's right... Time slows down, and everything just makes sense.”

— Mateo Massoni

What’s next

Massoni is currently working towards completing his commercial pilot's license by the end of the year, which will further expand his capabilities and opportunities within the sport of BASE jumping.

The takeaway

Mateo Massoni's approach to urban BASE jumping challenges the common perception of the sport as impulsive or reckless, instead highlighting the deep intentionality, patience, and creative vision required to execute each jump safely and successfully. His perspective provides a more nuanced understanding of the skill and discipline involved in this extreme activity.