Charlotteville To Host Døds Diving League World Tour For Second Year
For a second year, the community of Charlotteville will host the Døds Diving League World Tour.
This Norwegian extreme sport, which has captured worldwide attention, is bringing its championship event to the small Tobago fishing village and is set to be broadcast live on ESPN.
The diving competition originated in the 1970s in Norway but has captured the attention of millions worldwide.
According to Døds Diving instructor Simen Fisk, it’s an extreme sport that is not so extreme.
« It’s all about faking a belly flop. So you’re lying in the air… is he going to do it, is he going to do it, and then you tuck in the last second. It’s all about getting people to think you did a belly flop. »
Mr. Fisk said Døds is a combination of courage, creativity and dramatic poses in the air without making a big splash.
« It’s easy on the eye. It’s easy to understand what we are doing. It looks like we are running slow-mo in the air, and it looks cool, and that’s why people like it. »
One local, Delroy Baptiste, is already competing among the pros. He told TTT News he never intended to dive but gave it a try during the competition in 2025.
« When I came out the Saturday morning and I started training, it was like crazy. I didn’t even know I was going up there the Saturday morning, but I was to sign a waiver and then yo, I don’t even know how to explain it. It was like so happy for me. »
He made an impression and was encouraged to dive from the platform 13 metres high.
« The organiser was like, ‘Hey, you have to go up there to compete the jump.’ I’m like oh yeah? By that time I am scared. Yeah man, by that time I was scared because I never jump that height before. This is my first time ever jump like 13 metres. I am like ok, I went up and I just did my thing. »
Mr. Baptiste said ever since that day, he has been longing to dive again and wants more people to try. He will be competing alongside many divers, like Mr. Fisk.
« I would say hey, come on let’s have some fun together. Come on. I am coming for you guys, this is my day, Saturday is my day. »
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine is excited about the Døds Diving League and wants Tobagonians to come out.
