Twillingate (GNP): Canadian cliff diver Molly Carlson has become the first woman known to dive from a free-standing iceberg. She completed a backward dive of about 15 meters, nearly 50 feet, into the freezing waters of the North Atlantic.
The jump took place near Twillingate, Newfoundland, on 11 June 2026. Red Bull documented the project and released the footage in October, which brought the achievement to a wider audience.
Carlson is a professional cliff diver who competes in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. Her usual setting is a fixed platform, but this challenge asked her to climb a natural iceberg floating in the ocean before she could even take off.
To prepare, she trained with Canadian ice-climbing expert Will Gadd. He taught her to use ice-climbing equipment, move across frozen surfaces and climb safely in difficult conditions.
The team then travelled to Newfoundland to find a suitable iceberg. They needed a formation with an accessible climbing route, a good edge for the dive and a clear landing area in the water. After assessing several options, they chose a free-floating iceberg near Twillingate.
Gadd helped set up a temporary rigging system that allowed Carlson to climb towards the take-off point. Once at the top, she positioned herself at the edge and dived backward into the Atlantic.
The choice of location explains why the project carried so much risk. Icebergs can shift, crack, break apart or roll over without warning, and the freezing water added another danger. Carlson also had to swim away from the ice quickly after landing, because the formation could become unstable.
For that reason, the team weighed weather, ocean conditions, boat access and the stability of the iceberg before going ahead. Experienced professionals supported the expedition to help manage those risks.
Even with her background in cliff diving, Carlson described the project as one of the scariest experiences of her life. She has spoken openly about anxiety and, through her online community BraveGang, encourages people to accept their vulnerabilities and face difficult experiences.
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That message gives the story a personal side. It presents the iceberg dive as a test of her own fears as well as a sporting first.
The Red Bull Iceberg Dive documentary follows her journey from learning ice-climbing techniques to reaching the top of the iceberg and making the jump. It has drawn online attention for its unusual setting, its risks and the scale of the achievement.
The dive also shows how an athlete can apply existing skills in a completely different environment, and it introduces Carlson to audiences beyond the cliff-diving community.
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