tombstoning.com

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 (Dan Brown) 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 aswell. 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 drunkly 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’.

Dan Brown

I live on the south coast, and have done so my whole life. I have always been obsessed with action and outdoors adventure. As a kid I was often taken to places like Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, Dancing Ledge and Winspit. The coast was the most amazing place to be and learn about. Swimming and rock-climbing were two of my favourite past-times and they soon met in my unimaginatively named sport of ‘rock-jumping’. I was hooked and would go as often as possible. On this site I hope to convey my enthusiasm for the sport of ‘tombstoning’ and what we should all be doing to make it as safe as possible and protect it from a blanket ban.

Ben Norton

The passion for water based sports and activities, has been the basis for a large part of my life. I have tried my hand at everything I could and spend most of my spare time around the water. Having grown up on the south coast and surfed, dived and sailed in many different countries around the world, the sea has always fascinated me in what it has to offer and the power it is capable of. Everything we do, we try to do safely, we leave little but fate to chance. The jump is over in a second…the preparation sometimes takes hours.