Death Diving is one of the fastest growing extreme sports in the world and one of the most unique water sports out there.
If you’re brand new to the sport, you might not even recognize what you’re watching at first. It may just look like a rowdy belly flop contest – and while you’re close – that’ not exactly what’s going on.
What is Death Diving
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Death Diving is a new trend with an old history. It’s the emerging trend of doing extreme flips and dives off an object and “opening up” to do a sort of belly flop – only to “close” at the last minute and use your body to shield yourself from the most painful belly flop of all time.
It’s been known by many names over multiple continents, but has recently blown up due to the epic viral flips and tricks showcased on youtube, tiktok and other social media apps.
The Origin of Death Diving
Death Diving was started in Norway. Also called “DØDS”, it has a tradition around the world – and is often called “bombs” in hawaii, and has terms other places, but the terms “DØDS” has stuck because the nordics have done the most to bring this sport from a casual sporting activity to the masses.
How to Death Dive
How to Death Dive (video)
If you want a quick 2-minute explainer on what death diving is – watch this 2 minute overview from Jonny Goes Hard on how to actually do it (featuring some word champion death divers)
The Three Types of Landings
There are three primary types of landings when it comes to Death Diving. The first and most important rule is to not land on your feet! While nothing bad will happen – you will be socially shamed until you don’t do it again :).
The Shrimp
The shrimp is maybe the most common type of landing. This is where you land with your hands and your feet at the same time so you end up “punching” the water.
The Crusher
The crusher is more often used in competition as it’s much more aggressive. It involves landing with your elbows and knees when you hit the water and has a much more intense landing.
The No Hander
This is just what it sounds like. Where you don’t close at all and land primarily with your face. You don’t want to do this over 10m as you can get concussed and this is easily the most dangerous type of landing. You need to make sure there is a water safety waiting for you as you land if you attempt this as it is the most dangerous type of landing – but can also get the most points during a competition.
The Official Organization & Sanction Death Diving Events
There’s an official organization of Death Diving called the DØDS Diving League. While they’re still small, they’re doing a lot to bring death diving to the larger diving community.
Here’s a behind the scenes of their 2024 world championship event in Norway.
There are also several unsanctioned events and self-organized events, trips and meetups where death divers get together to “sesh” together, push their limits and try new things.
Finding out more about Death Diving
Watch our documentary about the emerging sport of death diving.
We also sponsored a first-of-it’s-kind event called King of the Swamp. An epic death diving event done at night, in a swamp. It’s a lot easier to show than tell, so here it is.
