Daredevil divers take practice plunge into the Thames Estuary

2:00pm Thursday 6th September 2012 in News

Going down – cliff divers Gary Hunt and Blake Aldridge, inset, warm up for the World Series off Southend Going down – cliff divers Gary Hunt and Blake Aldridge, inset, warm up for the World Series off Southend

CLIFF divers completed a daring plunge 18 metres into the Thames Estuary from the Maunsell Forts.

British divers Gary Hunt, who is reigning world champion, and Blake Aldridge, a 2008 Olympian, took part in a group dive.

They were practising on Sunday for the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Wales on Saturday.

Blake said: “I’m looking forward to Wales as it will be the first time the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series has come to the UK.

“Competing in front of a home crowd is going to be very special, and, of course, I’ll be doing my new dive, which is the world’s hardest dive.”

The forts, which include the Principality of Sealand, are ten miles off the coast of Southend.

They were built in the Second World War to help defend the UK. Having been decommissioned in the Fifties, they were re-occupied for pirate radio, including Radio Caroline, in the mid-Sixties, until they were closed in 1967.

Comments (15)

2:34pm Thu 6 Sep 12

perini says...

This will end in tears or worse, as there is a lot of scrap metal under the surface there.
This will end in tears or worse, as there is a lot of scrap metal under the surface there. perini

2:51pm Thu 6 Sep 12

leighman says...

I think the Echo 'researchers' may have goofed again. I don't believe Radio Caroline ever transmitted from there. But, I could be wrong of course.
I think the Echo 'researchers' may have goofed again. I don't believe Radio Caroline ever transmitted from there. But, I could be wrong of course. leighman

2:54pm Thu 6 Sep 12

SpaffSpiff84 says...

They should use them to house the people from felmores bail hostel
They should use them to house the people from felmores bail hostel SpaffSpiff84

3:33pm Thu 6 Sep 12

notinwestcliffanymore says...

10 miles of the coast eh,, still more accessible than garon parks diving pool then,
10 miles of the coast eh,, still more accessible than garon parks diving pool then, notinwestcliffanymore

3:37pm Thu 6 Sep 12

APR says...

Radio Caroline were never there.
From memory, there was Radio Such (Screaming Lord Such)
Radio 390
Radio City

Rather stupid diving there.
Radio Caroline were never there. From memory, there was Radio Such (Screaming Lord Such) Radio 390 Radio City Rather stupid diving there. APR

3:47pm Thu 6 Sep 12

midgetman says...

And when it ends in tears i do hope they dont start whinging that there wasnt any signs warning them.
And when it ends in tears i do hope they dont start whinging that there wasnt any signs warning them. midgetman

4:06pm Thu 6 Sep 12

aduksquack says...

Great idea to make use of a local landmark for training. Well done lads, good luck in Wales.
Great idea to make use of a local landmark for training. Well done lads, good luck in Wales. aduksquack

4:14pm Thu 6 Sep 12

rodgdodge says...

Maybe fit some diving platforms to the end of the pier, would make a good competition site?? attracting money-spending spectators!! ect
Maybe fit some diving platforms to the end of the pier, would make a good competition site?? attracting money-spending spectators!! ect rodgdodge

4:33pm Thu 6 Sep 12

perini says...

..and at low tide?? What then..sit back and wait for the compo claims of broken necks etc.!
..and at low tide?? What then..sit back and wait for the compo claims of broken necks etc.! perini

4:39pm Thu 6 Sep 12

1nails says...

Was'nt this the place that, Roy Bates and Co claimed...."The kingdom of Sealand". ??
Was'nt this the place that, Roy Bates and Co claimed...."The kingdom of Sealand". ?? 1nails

4:44pm Thu 6 Sep 12

aduksquack says...

1nails wrote:
Was'nt this the place that, Roy Bates and Co claimed...."The kingdom of Sealand". ??
No.
[quote][p][bold]1nails[/bold] wrote: Was'nt this the place that, Roy Bates and Co claimed...."The kingdom of Sealand". ??[/p][/quote]No. aduksquack

4:51pm Thu 6 Sep 12

perini says...

That's Ruff Towers in the North Sea off Harwich
That's Ruff Towers in the North Sea off Harwich perini

5:10pm Thu 6 Sep 12

perini says...

Looks like these are the ones at Shivering Sands
Looks like these are the ones at Shivering Sands perini

6:27pm Thu 6 Sep 12

Southend Timeline says...

This is Red Sands as there are seven towers, you can also see the Jungle Walkway that has been erected as part of the restoration program, the new landing stage is also visible at the bottom of the tower they a diving from.
This is Red Sands as there are seven towers, you can also see the Jungle Walkway that has been erected as part of the restoration program, the new landing stage is also visible at the bottom of the tower they a diving from. Southend Timeline

8:55am Tue 11 Sep 12

not telling you says...

Radio caroline definitely did not operate from here, i know this because my father did......
Radio caroline definitely did not operate from here, i know this because my father did...... not telling you

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