Devil’s Pool and daredevils
March 5, 2008 11:23 PM Subscribe
Taking risks at really large waterfalls: Swimming at the edge of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe with video, closeups here and Niagara Falls Daredevils.
Daredevils of Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls interactive map
The world's largest waterfall, Victoria Falls, Wikipedia
Daredevils of Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls interactive map
The world's largest waterfall, Victoria Falls, Wikipedia
OK that's not completely retarded or anything, hanging your kid over the edge of the falls.
Although I have to admit had I known about this when I was there a couple months ago I would have definitely done this. I'm sure my mother would like me to thank you for not posting this until now.
posted by allkindsoftime at 12:29 AM on March 6, 2008
Although I have to admit had I known about this when I was there a couple months ago I would have definitely done this. I'm sure my mother would like me to thank you for not posting this until now.
posted by allkindsoftime at 12:29 AM on March 6, 2008
At first I thought NO WAY... Can't be!
But then I read the contents and it seems insanely true--wow--just wow.
Thanks a billion for these nicky! My sister's going to enjoy 'em.
posted by hadjiboy at 12:32 AM on March 6, 2008
But then I read the contents and it seems insanely true--wow--just wow.
Thanks a billion for these nicky! My sister's going to enjoy 'em.
posted by hadjiboy at 12:32 AM on March 6, 2008
Maybe I will get back to visit Victoria Falls. Because the enlightened authorities of South Africa choose to put in my passport that I was in a same-sex relationship (the condition of my permit to live there), I was unwilling to risk a trip to either Zimbabwe or Zambia, where being gay is a serious crime. Perhaps if I visit again, after my aged passport is replaced. It would delight me to an extreme to lay at the lip of that waterfall, and have some photos taken. But I do hope the problems associated with fresh water in warm, African climates, don't apply to that specific place.
posted by Goofyy at 12:59 AM on March 6, 2008
posted by Goofyy at 12:59 AM on March 6, 2008
I once stood right on the edge of Balls Falls drunk out of my mind after a night of cross border drinking. I remember thinking how powerful the water felt. I'm still a bit surprised I survived my youth.
posted by srboisvert at 2:03 AM on March 6, 2008
posted by srboisvert at 2:03 AM on March 6, 2008
What with this and that video of someone doing pull-ups off a construction crane gantry, I'm starting to think my acrophobia is an evolutionary advantage.
posted by unSane at 5:06 AM on March 6, 2008
posted by unSane at 5:06 AM on March 6, 2008
I'm starting to think my acrophobia is an evolutionary advantage.
Why would you ever think otherwise?
posted by DU at 5:52 AM on March 6, 2008
Why would you ever think otherwise?
posted by DU at 5:52 AM on March 6, 2008
someone contact children's protective services... what idiots!
I hope that, someday, 20 years from now, those kids take a look at those photos, look at their parent, and punch him/her in the frigging nose.
posted by HuronBob at 6:01 AM on March 6, 2008
I hope that, someday, 20 years from now, those kids take a look at those photos, look at their parent, and punch him/her in the frigging nose.
posted by HuronBob at 6:01 AM on March 6, 2008
Oh hells, I feel queasy just looking at those rock pool pictures. My Imp would have me over the edge in a second.
posted by gaspode at 6:03 AM on March 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by gaspode at 6:03 AM on March 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
Just looking at those pics made my balls shrivel up
posted by fatfrank at 6:33 AM on March 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by fatfrank at 6:33 AM on March 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
As you stand this close to such raw, natural beauty, you can barely hear yourself screaming above the sound of the water rushing down while adrenalin pumps through your body turning it into a shaking, excitable mess. You realise why the not-eating-before-swimming rule has always stuck
Heh.
someone contact children's protective services... what idiots!
I hope that, someday, 20 years from now, those kids take a look at those photos, look at their parent, and punch him/her in the frigging nose.
Don't be ridiculous—they're clearly not in imminent danger. And your idea of what makes grown-up kids upset about their childhoods is bizarre. When my family visited Iguazú Falls, the teenage me snuck out of the restaurant overlooking the falls where we were having lunch and made my way to a dry area between two streams of water going over the edge and got as close as I could; naturally, it freaked my parents out, but I had a blast and don't regret it for a minute. Danger is fun.
posted by languagehat at 6:38 AM on March 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
Heh.
someone contact children's protective services... what idiots!
I hope that, someday, 20 years from now, those kids take a look at those photos, look at their parent, and punch him/her in the frigging nose.
Don't be ridiculous—they're clearly not in imminent danger. And your idea of what makes grown-up kids upset about their childhoods is bizarre. When my family visited Iguazú Falls, the teenage me snuck out of the restaurant overlooking the falls where we were having lunch and made my way to a dry area between two streams of water going over the edge and got as close as I could; naturally, it freaked my parents out, but I had a blast and don't regret it for a minute. Danger is fun.
posted by languagehat at 6:38 AM on March 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
I'm starting to think my acrophobia is an evolutionary advantage.
Why would you ever think otherwise?
posted by DU at 5:52 AM
Because there is an evolutionary advantage. The alternative is not necessarily thinking otherwise, but simply not thinking. We inherit the quick gene package rather than the rational gene package to best avoid the cumulative mistakes of our ancestors. This will eventually do us in, of course, but fundamentalist cockroaches will take over.
My legs are still tingling.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 7:03 AM on March 6, 2008
Why would you ever think otherwise?
posted by DU at 5:52 AM
Because there is an evolutionary advantage. The alternative is not necessarily thinking otherwise, but simply not thinking. We inherit the quick gene package rather than the rational gene package to best avoid the cumulative mistakes of our ancestors. This will eventually do us in, of course, but fundamentalist cockroaches will take over.
My legs are still tingling.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 7:03 AM on March 6, 2008
Thanks for the panic attack!
posted by nonmerci at 7:07 AM on March 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by nonmerci at 7:07 AM on March 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
wow. I love being up really high and looking down, that's my kinda pool! also I am glad my parents are the type that would have let me swim, had we ever gone to victoria falls.
posted by MNDZ at 7:28 AM on March 6, 2008
posted by MNDZ at 7:28 AM on March 6, 2008
Me: I'm starting to think my acrophobia is an evolutionary advantage.
DU: Why would you ever think otherwise?
Because of all those show-offs when I was a teenager who impressed girls by doing stupid things that I wouldn't.
posted by unSane at 7:35 AM on March 6, 2008
DU: Why would you ever think otherwise?
Because of all those show-offs when I was a teenager who impressed girls by doing stupid things that I wouldn't.
posted by unSane at 7:35 AM on March 6, 2008
"Don't be ridiculous—they're clearly not in imminent danger. "
you're kidding right... a toddler sitting a foot from a drop like that with only her idiot dad holding on...
remind me not to let you babysit!
posted by HuronBob at 7:47 AM on March 6, 2008
you're kidding right... a toddler sitting a foot from a drop like that with only her idiot dad holding on...
remind me not to let you babysit!
posted by HuronBob at 7:47 AM on March 6, 2008
HuronBob,
The point you're spectacularly missing is in the links.
(The guy who survived going over Niagara (just) but died after slipping on orange peel during a visit to New Zealand.)
Risk is not always as obvious as it seems!
posted by Jody Tresidder at 7:58 AM on March 6, 2008
The point you're spectacularly missing is in the links.
(The guy who survived going over Niagara (just) but died after slipping on orange peel during a visit to New Zealand.)
Risk is not always as obvious as it seems!
posted by Jody Tresidder at 7:58 AM on March 6, 2008
Oh please the father is clearly taking care to be sure he has a hand or two on his kid to protect him and keep control of him. You would never take your kid into this pool and thats fine. But there is no evidence in these photos that he is putting his son at great risk to his life.
posted by MrBobaFett at 8:03 AM on March 6, 2008
posted by MrBobaFett at 8:03 AM on March 6, 2008
I don't know about my own kids, but I'd sure trust that guy with somebody else's kids.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 8:05 AM on March 6, 2008
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 8:05 AM on March 6, 2008
Those made me nervous, even though they're beautiful pictures.
I can understand swimming around in the safe pool, but I can't imagine standing right at the edge. All you'd have to do is slip, you don't need something like a water to physically push you over. Don't people die like that at the Grand Canyon where there isn't railing?
Well, if anyone needs me I'll be curled into a ball, not leaving the house.
posted by Nattie at 8:16 AM on March 6, 2008
I can understand swimming around in the safe pool, but I can't imagine standing right at the edge. All you'd have to do is slip, you don't need something like a water to physically push you over. Don't people die like that at the Grand Canyon where there isn't railing?
Well, if anyone needs me I'll be curled into a ball, not leaving the house.
posted by Nattie at 8:16 AM on March 6, 2008
Looks like fun. I'd bet your life on it.
posted by blue_beetle at 8:26 AM on March 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by blue_beetle at 8:26 AM on March 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
"Risk is not always as obvious as it seems!"
but obvious risk is always risk.
"Oh please the father is clearly taking care to be sure he has a hand or two on his kid to protect him and keep control of him"
him and Michael Jackson...
posted by HuronBob at 8:51 AM on March 6, 2008
but obvious risk is always risk.
"Oh please the father is clearly taking care to be sure he has a hand or two on his kid to protect him and keep control of him"
him and Michael Jackson...
posted by HuronBob at 8:51 AM on March 6, 2008
this is very cool and I am freaking my friends out with it now.
posted by anotherpanacea at 8:56 AM on March 6, 2008
posted by anotherpanacea at 8:56 AM on March 6, 2008
Slightly dangerous-waterfall related story: Heard a young lass get interviewed on Australia's government funded yoof radio station, JJJ. She was at Victoria Falls, right in amongst the “safe” touristy part...
Went with her girl friend for a leisurely walk literally just around the back of a cafe and came face to face with some kinda antelope thing with horns. She believes it must have been rutting season, but bottom line is the thing went for her and almost killed her.
Broken leg, broken pelvis, punctured this, punctured that, huge loss of blood, months in a Zim hospital, months in a hospital back home. She said some local dude,a Brother, not even a resort employee, bravely came to her rescue while the thing was still next to her and saved her life.
How effen ripped of would you feel, eh? Not as bad as being eaten by a fish, but close.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 8:59 AM on March 6, 2008
Went with her girl friend for a leisurely walk literally just around the back of a cafe and came face to face with some kinda antelope thing with horns. She believes it must have been rutting season, but bottom line is the thing went for her and almost killed her.
Broken leg, broken pelvis, punctured this, punctured that, huge loss of blood, months in a Zim hospital, months in a hospital back home. She said some local dude,a Brother, not even a resort employee, bravely came to her rescue while the thing was still next to her and saved her life.
How effen ripped of would you feel, eh? Not as bad as being eaten by a fish, but close.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 8:59 AM on March 6, 2008
Just looking at those pics made my balls shrivel up
Likewise. At the same time, I really really want to have sex there.
It would appear that I have reached an impasse.
posted by LordSludge at 9:01 AM on March 6, 2008
Likewise. At the same time, I really really want to have sex there.
It would appear that I have reached an impasse.
posted by LordSludge at 9:01 AM on March 6, 2008
That's convenient...while I sit in the pool wetting myself due to my fear of heights, the water will literally wash all my fears away.
posted by JibberJabber at 9:12 AM on March 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by JibberJabber at 9:12 AM on March 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
It seemed to me like the current or waterflow on the "safe" side of Victoria Falls is more pronounced on some days than on others. I wonder if there are days when they have to close it up. I also wish I could get a better handle on the rock formations there to understand whether there's some sort of high rock ledge there in the deeper parts or whether it's more or less you against the current. (I understand there are flat bits of rock in the places featured in most of the pics, but it seems a little different closer to shore.)
These pictures are really cool and I would be tempted (though scared!) to wade out there for the experience of a lifetime. I do wonder whether there are ever any accidents there. I kept waiting for one of the videos to show some horrible moment, and was so relieved when none did!
posted by onlyconnect at 9:27 AM on March 6, 2008
These pictures are really cool and I would be tempted (though scared!) to wade out there for the experience of a lifetime. I do wonder whether there are ever any accidents there. I kept waiting for one of the videos to show some horrible moment, and was so relieved when none did!
posted by onlyconnect at 9:27 AM on March 6, 2008
I distinctly recall a travel show about the falls where the local guys talked about finding body parts among the rocks....
posted by aramaic at 9:31 AM on March 6, 2008
posted by aramaic at 9:31 AM on March 6, 2008
Well, I kind of wish I hadn't eaten breakfast before looking at the links, and I'm not even afraid of heights.
Wicked cool post, though. Thanks, nicky!
posted by rtha at 9:42 AM on March 6, 2008
Wicked cool post, though. Thanks, nicky!
posted by rtha at 9:42 AM on March 6, 2008
wooooo... I love the picture of the guy going over Niagara in the kayak. That kind of "everyone knows this is a bad idea; physics doesn't care how tough you think you are" sense, and the picture of him right at the very edge - what's he thinking? Is he starting to think, you know, maybe this wasn't such a hot idea after all? Is he thinking, I'll die but it will be a hell of a thing?
posted by LobsterMitten at 9:47 AM on March 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by LobsterMitten at 9:47 AM on March 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
I just saw a picture of someone standing in that spot at Victoria Falls in National Geographic, and I got the willies. Pretty amazing but I doubt I would be able to do this myself. Unless someone started chanting "Bok, bok, bok."
posted by Mister_A at 9:56 AM on March 6, 2008
posted by Mister_A at 9:56 AM on March 6, 2008
I do hope the problems associated with fresh water in warm, African climates, don't apply to that specific place
Isn't it just standing water that's dangerous?
posted by pinothefrog at 10:19 AM on March 6, 2008
Isn't it just standing water that's dangerous?
posted by pinothefrog at 10:19 AM on March 6, 2008
Great post. My wife travels to Africa with some regularity for business, so I pointed it out to her for her next trip.
And I was expecting a Michael Jackson-esque dangling of the baby in the photos somewhere -- not even close. Would you stand on the street near speeding traffic, holding onto your kid while you wait for the light to cross? Same thing, but I'll bet the experience at the falls is a hell of a lot more memorable. Everybody accepts different levels of risk and raises their children accordingly.
posted by Pantengliopoli at 10:54 AM on March 6, 2008
And I was expecting a Michael Jackson-esque dangling of the baby in the photos somewhere -- not even close. Would you stand on the street near speeding traffic, holding onto your kid while you wait for the light to cross? Same thing, but I'll bet the experience at the falls is a hell of a lot more memorable. Everybody accepts different levels of risk and raises their children accordingly.
posted by Pantengliopoli at 10:54 AM on March 6, 2008
(Also, check out the kids swimming with dangerous polar bears (okay, separated by glass) page that is linked from the first site link above. And the bears and submarines link. Wild! Thanks, Nicky!)
posted by onlyconnect at 11:16 AM on March 6, 2008
posted by onlyconnect at 11:16 AM on March 6, 2008
(Whoops, the kids swimming with bears link is here.)
posted by onlyconnect at 11:17 AM on March 6, 2008
posted by onlyconnect at 11:17 AM on March 6, 2008
Great link, nickyskye, amazing photos.
Reminds me of this recent FPP on the kid who went over Niagara Falls by accident, and survived, as told by Stewart McLean.
posted by Rumple at 2:18 PM on March 6, 2008
Reminds me of this recent FPP on the kid who went over Niagara Falls by accident, and survived, as told by Stewart McLean.
posted by Rumple at 2:18 PM on March 6, 2008
My father is 91 now and walks only with great difficulty. But back in the day he was a first-rate gymnast. Long after his sons were past their own youthful craziness he finally shared with us the story of his first hike up Half Dome in Yosemite with a friend. When they reached the top, he did a handstand and hand-walked over to the edge. Backed off safely and returned to his feet as his friend quietly vomited.
In the parallel universe where he overbalanced, I'm of course not writing this...
posted by Creosote at 8:26 PM on March 6, 2008 [4 favorites]
In the parallel universe where he overbalanced, I'm of course not writing this...
posted by Creosote at 8:26 PM on March 6, 2008 [4 favorites]
I visited Victoria Falls in 2004. Our guide told us that he saw 2 hippos fighting each other atop the falls and that they both were swept away.
posted by pwedza at 8:38 AM on March 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by pwedza at 8:38 AM on March 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
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