443rd Old Bridge high diving competition

[valiha]

I just watched the opening of the 443rd annual Old Bridge high diving competition in Mostar. It was held last night at midnight, and the competition is tomorrow. All I can say is Oh. My. God.

They had a stunt man put on a cape.

Then they doused him with gasoline...

...and set him on FIRE...

...and he jumped! 22 meters down into the cold water of the Neretva River!

I could not find any good, clear videos of the event, so I'm posting a clip of the Red Bull diving competition, which was held, I believe, earlier this year.

[Error: unknown template video]

Comments

[winks7985.livejournal.com]

oh my god that's nuts!

[dj-aida.livejournal.com]

And it's been going on for over 400 years! This is the first time a flaming man jumped in though.

[kizzie79.livejournal.com]

I didn't see the man on fire in the clip. Wonder whether to go tomorrow or just watch it at home.

[dj-aida.livejournal.com]

That's because he's not in this clip. I saw that on TV, but couldn't find a good copy of that particular clip anywhere. There's one I think on www.mostari.ba but it's poor quality. This was a recording of that exhibition sponsored by Red Bull.

Yes, you should go, and take lots of pictures for me!

[pezgirl7.livejournal.com]

Those people are crazy! I could barely get myself to jump off the high-dive board at the local pool when I was younger. Did it once, but never again!
The location looks beautiful though. :)

[dj-aida.livejournal.com]

It's considered to be a test of their manhood. :)

It's mostly locals, though in later years it has become a sort of a preparation ground for professional competitions, and jumpers from all over the world come to test their skills. In fact, they are comparing it to Acapulco, which is a huge compliment.

Oh it's even more gorgeous when you're standing right there!

[tpena19.livejournal.com]

Crazy people. Are they all men?

I'm afraid of heights so I too had trouble with the high dive, froze up there more than once.

[dj-aida.livejournal.com]

:) Most of them, though there was a French girl (I think she was from Paris?) who jumped legs-first.

Oh, me too! I can't even bring myself to look down when I'm on the balcony, lol.

These jumps can even be dangerous, since they're jumping into a stone cold river, and the temperature outside is over 40°C. Plus, if they don't execute their jump right, they could hit some of the rocks lurking near by.