This site was first registered on 24th August 2005. The roots of the name ‘tombstoning’ appear to come from coastal lifeguards referring to the sport as an easy way to earn an early grave. As names go it certainly grabs attention. I registered this domain after years of jumping from the Dorset coast in to the sea; thinking I would post some of my favourite pictures of the local cliffs (with me throwing myself from them) for friends, family and the odd person who liked doing it as well. The plan was to gather a list of places along the south coast and surrounding area where this sport seemed safe (your interpretation of safe may differ) to take part in.
Two years on and things have changed dramatically. The news is awash with stories of people drunkenly jumping from piers and harbour walls. Visitors to the sea side finding the nearest cliff edge and hurling themselves from it. General perception now frames tombstoning as a foolish, dangerous and ill-thought action rather than a well planned and calculated ‘extreme sport’…
August 16th, 2007 at 7:45 am
Ironically all the press about the recent injuries and deaths made me curious about tomstoning! While searching the web I came across this site and thought I’d post a question. Primarily because this site seems to be of the few “sensible” pro sites out there. Anyway…
Does any one have a set of “safety” tips. Like should you wear a wet suit, what are the best ways to enter the water, advice on reading tides etc? And of course what not to do.
August 16th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Safety tips will be forthcoming very soon, although briefly I can say wearing a wet suit is always a good idea when in the sea. Depending on weather I wear a full wet suit and wet suit boots, or a shorty (exposing legs from the knee and arms from the elbow).
Wet suits protect you in a number of ways. They protect you from scratching or cutting yourself on the rock face (should you slip), they greatly improve your buoyancy in the water (stopping you from sinking to the bottom should an accident occur) and also keep you much warmer than just a pair of shorts/boardies should you get in trouble and are in the water longer.
January 12th, 2008 at 12:52 am
Thanks for information.
many interesting things
Celpjefscylc
May 12th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
The safety hints are an important first step. Additionally, I would like to see some basic hints about how to start and some “safe” places where one can practice this sort of thing without already being an expert.
In your own words “The plan was to gather a list of places along the south coast and surrounding area where this sport seemed safe (your interpretation of safe may differ) to take part in.” I’d be interested in such a list.
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Tombstoning is simply a name given to that which kids and (predominantly) young men have been doing since time immemorial. It is a foolish pastime for those who have had a drink and those who do not know the ground so to speak. Otherwise it is a relatively safe and fun pastime so long as one takes a few elemental precautions. Too old for that sort of stuff now, but was never adverse to a plunge if the notion took.