A world champion cliff diver once went viral for ignoring a ‘no women’ sign at a water park.
But this wasn’t in some kind of Yorkie chocolate ‘not for girls’ move, it was because of the reported danger.
In Austria, Area 47 adventure park has a number of ‘extreme’ activities promising the ‘wildest adventures of your life’. And it was its mega water slide that had people lashing out as world champion high diver Rhiannan Iffland took it on.
She wanted to find out what women were missing out on when she met what was said to be ‘Europe’s fastest waterslide’.
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Women aren’t allowed to use the attraction, which boasts speeds of up to 50mph, but the Australian cliff diver shared a video of her trying it out anyway.
In the footage, Iffland excitedly approached the entrance to the slide while explaining that 'women aren't supposed to use this'.
She points to a sign above which stated: "Due to high risk of injury, women are not allowed to use this slide!"
Despite the warning, the 34-year-old didn't seem too concerned about the risk of hurting herself - until it came time to let go of the bars to send herself flying down a very steep vertical drop.
Iffland looked back at her pal filming her water park antics with an expression that seemed to suggest that was the moment she realised she f**ked up.
Instead, viewers watch her disappear down the male-only contraption while she lets out a piercing scream - much to the amusement of her friend watching from above.
Sharing the footage on Instagram, Iffland wrote: "Here for a good time not a long time! Another YOLO moment."
And despite her sliding on down, Area 47 has a very good reason for the divisive ‘no women’ sign.
Area 47’s response
A spokesperson explained to LADbible that the water park was built back in 2009 and at that time they ‘did not intend to create a ‘men only’ attraction’.
"Initially, this particular slide was open to both women and men," they said. "However, in the second year, we noticed a significant increase in accidents on this slide, which required us to take action."
The Austrian park then consulted with doctors, authorities and the slide’s manufacturer which ‘led to a difficult decision’: "Either disassemble the water slide or restrict its use to men only, as it stands now."
They continued: "Our highest priority is ensuring the safety and happiness of all our guests, regardless of gender.
"The risks for women using this slide were tragically highlighted a few years ago when a woman was severely injured on a similar slide in the Canary Islands."
The spokesperson emphasised that the destination is ‘not misogynistic’.
What's the danger?
According to the National Library of Medicine in the US, women can sustain horrific injuries when high pressured water enters their body. Plus, there is a risk of infections due to the foreign bodies found in the water.
In recent years, there has been multiple reports of women having their insides 'ripped apart' by high-speed water slides.
After her video went viral, Iffland told news.com.au: "It was never my intent to mock the safety regulations of this water slide. A person’s safety is paramount and I am constantly weighing up any danger with my job.
"To suggest otherwise, is wrong."
Topics: Viral, Theme Park
Jess Battison