garydiver

I wasn't expecting a tricky question like that. I think I'd take my chances of the extremely hot chicken. I'm pretty happy with this dimension.

I learnt to high dive in a show in Italy, we had a pool about 8m in diameter and 4m deep. There was a 9m platform, a 13m and an 18m. The first time I went from the 18m I couldn't beleive how small the pool looked. I was scared I was going to miss it. I really had to trust in the training I had done and go for it. After a while I got used to it and then the next show I did was 20m and I went through the same sensations. When I started to do competitions I started with a 24m comp and again when I first went to the top I asked myself why the hell am I doing this? But after that first jump the feeling of satisfaction was definitely worth the anguish. Each step higher gave me the same fears and doubts but with each successful jump you build your confidence. However it only takes one degree from vertical and a body full of bruises to put you in your place and to remind you to respect the water.

I tried to do a front quad with 2.5 twists with a running take off. I didn't have enough rotation and landed with my chest out. I was concussed and had to go to the hospital. I didn't break anything but I couldn't move my neck or my shoulders for 2 weeks.
The worst injury I have heard of was Joey Zuber when he hit the bottom, he broke his femur in two, lost a lot of blood and had kidney failure on the way to the hospital which was a long way away. This was in the wilderness in Colombia so he had to be helicoptered out. It was a close one but he's ok. He's now the commentator for the Red bull cliff diving world series.

a little fiddling under the water normally does the trick.

For me the best part is just after the takeoff. Before I jump I have so many doubts in my mind. I'm scared, I try and talk myself out of it, but when my feet leave the platform I have no choice but to dive. It's a big sense of relief.