Molly Carlson is just getting started with her stunning feats as a professional cliff diver.
She made headlines recently by becoming the first woman to dive from an iceberg into the Atlantic Ocean, declaring the experience was the “best day of my life.”
“This is definitely the scariest thing I’ve ever done,” Carlson mentioned in a documentary shared on YouTube with Red Bull.
The 28-year-old from Canada completed her nearly 50-foot plunge on June 11 off Newfoundland’s coast, motivated by her experiences with mental health challenges.
“For sure, the best day of my life,” she exclaimed, tears of joy streaming down her face.
Carlson, a leading diver in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, carefully ascended the iceberg before making a graceful backward leap into the ocean.
The team selected a free-floating iceberg referred to as “No Name,” located near Twillingate, known as the “Iceberg Capital of the World,” due to the many ice sculptures that drift by its shores.
The iceberg had to meet strict safety criteria to ensure a successful dive.
“It needs to have good boat access, a sheer edge to dive from, a clear landing zone, and a climb that’s doable for me without putting Will at risk,” Carlson noted.
“If any of those conditions aren’t met, we can’t dive.”
Carlson and her climbing partner, Will Gadd, scaled the iceberg, where she removed her climbing gear, changing into a wetsuit to prepare for the jump.
Months of preparation preceded the leap. Gadd, a professional ice climber, taught her essential climbing techniques necessary for tackling the iceberg.
The planning was crucial, given the inherent dangers associated with such a daring stunt.
“Icebergs are incredibly dangerous,” Carlson explained. “They can split, collapse, or roll without warning.”
Gadd, referred to as the “captain of adventure,” focused on training Carlson for the climb, which spanned approximately 65 meters.
“The biggest hazard is that icebergs can roll over,” he explained. “When they roll, it’s incredibly violent.”
Once she honed her ice climbing skills, Carlson faced the icy waters, acclimating by practicing with a wetsuit.
The wetsuit provided essential protection from the chilling water, but Carlson felt the shock of the cold immediately.
After surfacing, she hastily swam away from the iceberg to ensure her safety before taking a moment to reflect on her remarkable achievement.
“You have tough days, you might feel anxious or scared, and there can be so much fear. But, in the end, proving to yourself that you can accomplish incredible things is really special. I’m truly proud,” she shared in her reflection.
