Molly Carlson Makes History With First Woman's Iceberg Dive
The Canadian pro cliff diver plunged nearly 50 feet into the Atlantic Ocean from a Newfoundland iceberg.
Canadian professional cliff diver Molly Carlson has made history as the first woman to complete a dive off an iceberg. The 28-year-old athlete plunged nearly 50 feet into the frigid Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, on June 11.
Carlson described the feat as the "best day of my life," though she acknowledged it was also the "scariest thing" she had ever done. The dive was documented in a Red Bull video released on Thursday. Carlson, a prominent competitor in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, was inspired to undertake the challenge by her experiences with mental health.
The chosen location for the historic dive was a free-floating iceberg, nicknamed "No Name," off the coast of Twillingate, Newfoundland. This region is known as the "Iceberg Capital of the World" due to the frequent passage of icebergs along its coast.
The dive required extensive preparation and careful selection of the iceberg. According to Carlson, the ice formation needed to meet several criteria for safety, including accessible boat access, a sheer edge for diving, a clear landing zone, and a climbable surface. She collaborated with experienced ice climber Will Gadd, who trained her in the necessary techniques for ascending the iceberg.
"Icebergs are incredibly dangerous," Carlson stated, noting their potential to split, collapse, or roll without warning. Gadd emphasized this danger, explaining that an iceberg's rollover can be "super violent."
Carlson adapted to the cold water by wearing a wetsuit during her practice dives, which provided some protection but still delivered an immediate shock upon entering the near-freezing temperatures. After completing the dive, she quickly swam away from the iceberg to ensure her safety before reflecting on her accomplishment.
"You have hard days, you might be anxious, you might be scared, you might have so much fear. But at the end of the day, to show yourself that you can do really cool things is really special, so I’m really proud," Carlson shared in her reflection.