Land Diving

Vanuatu · extreme sports · cultural tradition · physics

Vines, not bungees. Jumpers wrap tree vines around their ankles instead of modern bungee cords. The vines are traditional and stretch just enough to slow the divers before they hit the ground.

Super tall towers. The wooden towers are built about 20 to 30 meters high (that's as tall as an 8-story building!). Men climb these towers without any safety equipment.

Extreme g-forces. The sudden jolt when the vines catch the divers creates incredible forces on their bodies. According to Guinness World Records, this is the greatest g-force any human experiences in the non-industrialized world.

Ancient island tradition. Land diving comes from Pentecost Island in the country of Vanuatu in the Pacific Ocean. It's a ritual that's been part of the culture for hundreds of years.

Now a tourist event. What started as a sacred practice has become famous worldwide, with visitors traveling to see the daring leaps up close.