Côme Girardot Breaks Death Diving World Record: 44.3 Meters

Côme Girardot set a new world record in death diving by leaping from a height of 44.3 meters at the La Cimbarra waterfall in central Spain.

The 22-year-old Frenchman took on this daring feat in challenging windy conditions, jumping from a 44-meter cliff near Aldeaquemada.

Girardot's plunge lasted about three seconds, during which he reached a speed of 106 kilometers per hour before hitting the water hands and feet first.

Reflecting on the experience, he admitted that the toughest part was overcoming the mental challenge at the start.

"The airtime was way longer than I expected," he said, adding that it gave him the biggest adrenaline rush of his life.

Supported by a team of fellow competitors from the Døds Diving World Tour, Girardot’s attempt was carefully planned to ensure safety.

Two of his friends, Ken Stornes from Norway and Lucien Charlon from Switzerland acted as lifeguards during the event.

Stornes had previously held the record at 40.5 meters, which Charlon later broke with a 41.7-meter jump in August 2024.

Death diving, or "døds diving," originated in Norway in 1969, created by Erling Bruno Hovden as a form of high diving.

It differs from traditional high diving in that participants hit the water with both their hands and feet at the same time instead of feet-first.

The sport is divided into two categories: classic and freestyle.

In classic døds diving, participants jump with their arms and legs spread wide, flying flat toward the water without flips or rotations.

Just before impact, they tuck their bodies to reduce the force of the landing, usually hitting the water with their feet, hands, or knees first.

Judges evaluate the dive based on factors like airtime, difficulty, form, and the splash created on impact.

Freestyle døds diving, on the other hand, includes maneuvers that resemble tricks seen in snowboarding or skateboarding, and the level of difficulty is more aligned with gymnastics.

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https://www.surfertoday.com/environment/come-girardot-sets-new-death-diving-record