tombstoning.com http://tombstoning.com Most recent posts at tombstoning.com posterous.com Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:49:55 -0700 Cliff jumping tour of Scotland http://tombstoning.com/2009/08/28/cliff-jumping-tour-of-scotland http://tombstoning.com/2009/08/28/cliff-jumping-tour-of-scotland If you haven't seen it already, this is the video uploaded by a group of friends travelling around Scotland tombstoning, which has been in the news recently and branded as a 'map' of jumping sites. Having watched the video I think they give a good account of themselves; wearing wetsuits, life vests and sometimes helmets. During the 8 minute clip they can also be seen with flippers and goggles, checking out the areas they are jumping in to. The video, inspired by the award winning Gravity Chasers is just another example of people doing something they enjoy, but understanding it can be dangerous and doing what they can to minimise the risks.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:48:50 -0700 Are you tombstoning in North East England? http://tombstoning.com/2009/08/04/are-you-tombstoning-in-north-east-england http://tombstoning.com/2009/08/04/are-you-tombstoning-in-north-east-england tombstoning.com has been contacted by BBC News in Sunderland who are looking for local tombstoners who feel they understand the risks and continue to safely tombstone on the North East coast.
I’m doing a report for BBC News in the Sunderland area this week. We’re talking about Tombstoning and I’d really like to talk to people who do it and believe it CAN be done safely, so long as you know what you’re doing. Is there anybody from the North East that can talk to us?

Fiona Trott

If you are an avid tombstoner and want to have your say on it with the BBC please contact fiona.trott@bbc.co.uk

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:09:15 -0700 Tombstoning video on Radio 1 http://tombstoning.com/2009/07/31/tombstoning-video-on-radio-1 http://tombstoning.com/2009/07/31/tombstoning-video-on-radio-1 Radio 1 have published the video they joined us to make on Tuesday last week. See Radio 1 Newsbeat.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:40:47 -0700 Teenager died in first try at tombstoning http://tombstoning.com/2009/07/30/teenager-died-in-first-try-at-tombstoning http://tombstoning.com/2009/07/30/teenager-died-in-first-try-at-tombstoning See The Shields Gazette.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:06:54 -0700 BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat comes to Stair Hole http://tombstoning.com/2009/07/28/bbc-radio-1-newsbeat-comes-to-stair-hole http://tombstoning.com/2009/07/28/bbc-radio-1-newsbeat-comes-to-stair-hole Last Tuesday we were joined by Debbie (Randle), Andy and Vanessa from Radio 1 Newsbeat as they were excited about creating a piece on tombstoning for Radio 1 and the Newsbeat website. It wasn't the best day for film and radio work as the 'British summer' blessed us with high winds and light showers, but after many delays (Newsbeat originally wanted to join us last summer but we couldn't arrange a date everyone was available) we decided to go ahead with it and make a decision on the conditions when we arrived at Stair Hole. I spent the two previous days confirming and re-confirming tide times and depths, and also checking the wind forecast as we were seeing high winds moving in from the Atlantic. Ordinarily a wasted trip isn't too much of an issue, but we didn't want to have the Newsbeat team drive down from London if the winds were going to make it too dangerous to jump. As it was a Tuesday and the day job had to be finished first, we arranged to meet at Stair Hole around 6.30pm about an hour before high tide. On meeting up and checking the area, we allayed any fears it was too windy and got on with fulfilling the requirements Newsbeat had of us. This comprised a piece for radio and some footage for an introduction on the Newsbeat website. It worked out perfectly as the wind continued to calm during the onshore interview, and a bright and pleasant evening emerged from the grey clouds. I think Newsbeat were surprised at the scrabble down to the waters edge and the swim out to the jumping spots. Access to some of the jumps and the less than tropical conditions proved this was more of a hobby than a fleeting interest and they were really happy with the footage captured. Unfortunately they were unable to take part in the actual jumping (I believe for work insurance reasons) but they were (wet)suited up and Andy swam across to film us from below the jump to get an alternate angle to the footage from the shore. Job done we all headed back to the car park and discussed what happens next. They were returning the next day to interview a RNLI Lifeguard from Swanage to get a balance for the piece, and editing would begin the following (this) week. I'm looking forward to seeing how it is received and if there is a similar response to an earlier visit from 'The Times'. Links will appear on this site when I receive them from the BBC.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:46:40 -0700 19-year-old falls from rocks http://tombstoning.com/2009/06/15/19-year-old-falls-from-rocks http://tombstoning.com/2009/06/15/19-year-old-falls-from-rocks
A 19-year-old man has died after falling from rocks into the River Wharfe in the Yorkshire Dales.
See BBC News. Shallow water is frequently the cause of serious injury while tombstoning, but in this case it was the climb back up the rocks that resulted in Joel Scott falling and suffering fatal head and back injuries. The climb back out of the water after a successful jump can be just as dangerous as the jump itself. If this is a first jump in a particular area then make sure you have carried out a good check of the water depth and your exit route (see checking the water below in the safety section). Having done this you should know the climb out of the water is possible, and you can get back to a safe point once your first jump is complete. In this incident it looks like Joel had been jumping from the same spot for some time and it could have been a slip due to tiredness that caused him to fall. Jumping in to the water can be the easiest bit; it's the climb back out that requires more planning and a better understanding of your fitness and ability. These pictures show how easy it can be to get in to the water, but once there a 40ft climb is required to get you back to the same spot. You need to be sure you are ready for that climb before every jump.
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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:01:16 -0700 Youth charged over tombstoning sets a dangerous precedent http://tombstoning.com/2009/06/04/youth-charged-over-tombstoning-sets-a-dangerous-precedent http://tombstoning.com/2009/06/04/youth-charged-over-tombstoning-sets-a-dangerous-precedent Is tombstoning a breach of the peace? It would appear so after a teenager at Needle's E'e near Arbroath on Saturday was rescued by the RNLI then charged. The BBC News article doesn't give enough detail to fully understand the reasoning for the charge, but if you compare this incident with another one that was in the news recently (and I was aware of due to its close proximity to where I live) it suggests that the act of tombstoning is the reason for the charge. Both incidents involved the water, and a rescue effort. So how is the decision made to "ask people to be more careful and be prepared" when they crash a boat in to a 1000ft long pier, throwing one person in to the sea and resulting in head injuries; then charge a teenager with breach of the peace for jumping in to the sea and getting in to difficulty? It appears clear that this charge has been made to send a message to everyone that tombstoning should not be tolerated. You are of course welcome to get in to serious trouble in the sea on a surfboard, kiteboard, jet-ski or in a boat and feel safer knowing you will be rescued and asked to be more careful next time.
The Court of Appeal defined a breach of the peace as being ‘an act done or threatened to be done which either actually harms a person, or in his presence, his property, or is likely to cause such harm being done’. source: yourrights.org.uk

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Wed, 20 May 2009 16:04:02 -0700 First fatalities of 2009 put tombstoning and coasteering back in the news http://tombstoning.com/2009/05/20/first-fatalities-of-2009 http://tombstoning.com/2009/05/20/first-fatalities-of-2009 After another seemingly never-ending winter, the sea is finally returning to a temperature that can be enjoyed by those of us who don’t have winter wetsuits. This means more people getting back in the water, enjoying the coast and the amazing scenery it offers. But as we all know, it also increases the chance of accidents and in severe cases, fatalities. In the last week, two people have lost their lives in coasteering and tombstoning incidents. The RNLI have been quick to respond with a media release containing safety advice for both activities and further clarifying the difference between them. See RNLI safety advice issued today in PDF or image format. See Sky News articles on the tombstoning and coasteering fatalities.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:28 -0700 Tombstoning's newest threat? http://tombstoning.com/2008/08/05/tombstonings-newest-threat http://tombstoning.com/2008/08/05/tombstonings-newest-threat Rosie Allan-Jones has posted a very interesting article in The Independent, about a perfectly sober and careful visit to the coast, still ending in disaster. The danger here (as with the Durdle Door incident nearly a year ago) was the height of the jump. A quick search on YouTube for 'tombstoning foot' shows that people are jumping from higher and higher. In previous posts and when we've had the chance to talk to the media, we have always stressed the point that you should check water depth before jumping. A massive percentage of the accidents recorded whilst tombstoning have been as a result of people hitting the seafloor. However, the competitive nature of the human-being has pushed tombstoning to heights that are dangerous no matter how much water lies below. Entering the water properly becomes crucial the higher you go (see the safety section) and this skill only comes with practice. It's very easy to analyse an article and pick holes in people's thought processes or actions, long after they were looking down at the water from 90ft above. And that is largely unfair as most people will concede they have been in situations they haven't felt completely comfortable, but have been pushed by their peers. But in an attempt to draw some safety advice from the article there are a few things that should be highlighted. Take your time when increasing the height of your jump Working your way up to higher jumps is an important learning process. Practice improves your technique and first-hand experience gained is essential. Don't let others push you out of your comfort zone Jumping from a height someone else has successfully managed, but you are not feeling confident about will lead to mistakes. Panic takes over from calculated thought and you are more likely to enter the water badly. While you will get away with this below 40ft, as you go higher the water becomes much less forgiving. Practice, practice, practice The fact remains that in the article a boy had been doing it since he was 10 and hadn't hurt himself. Nowhere in the article does it state the previous experience of the author, so it's unfair to blame a lack of it on the accident; but practice and personal experience is the key to safer tombstoning. See the full article at The Independent.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:56:50 -0700 'The Times' article, on-line and in print http://tombstoning.com/2008/07/24/the-times-article-on-line-and-in-print http://tombstoning.com/2008/07/24/the-times-article-on-line-and-in-print The tombstoning feature penned by Tom Whipple when he joined us just over 3 weeks ago, has been printed in today's paper and published on their website along with video of the day. See the timesonline article.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:58:16 -0700 Boy breaks leg tombstoning 60ft from yacht club roof http://tombstoning.com/2008/07/14/boy-breaks-leg-tombstoning-60ft-from-yacht-club-roof http://tombstoning.com/2008/07/14/boy-breaks-leg-tombstoning-60ft-from-yacht-club-roof
A spokeswoman for Brixham Coastguard said the 15-year-old local boy had apparently jumped from the roof of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Madeira Road on the Hoe, and plunged 60 feet into just three feet of water.
Even on a neap tide at Plymouth, when the difference between high and low tide is the least, the variation can be as much as 2.5 metres. (You can check the current tidal variation at Plymouth using the Easytide website.) In this instance, the water depth and tide may not have been checked by the group before they started jumping; it may have appeared safe to begin with, but they probably didn’t realise conditions were changing. This is when you have to be at your most vigilant; familiarity often brings with it a lack of respect for the possible dangers. The changing tide means you should treat every jump, with the thought and awareness it deserves. We often leave Stair Hole up to 2 hours after high tide, when the top jumps are out of bounds due to water depth. There is always a part of you wanting to do one more jump and that last jump could be just that. See the full article on the thisisplymouth.co.uk.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:37:56 -0700 Tenuous tombstoning link? http://tombstoning.com/2008/07/08/tenuous-tombstoning-link http://tombstoning.com/2008/07/08/tenuous-tombstoning-link It seems like any water based accident these days has some connection with tombstoning. The Portsmouth News decided that Keith Appleton's freak accident last April involving rocks and water was close enough to send another warning out about tombstoning dangers.
Last April Keith, 19, was running into the sea with friends when he fell and hit his head in the shallow water, leaving him paralysed from the waist down.
While I think people should be made aware of the risks involved, tagging tombstoning to any article about people being hurt near the sea is crazy. See the full article, titled "Tombstoning: It beggars belief, says mum Kim"

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:25:50 -0700 'The Times' comes tombstoning http://tombstoning.com/2008/07/04/the-times-comes-tombstoning http://tombstoning.com/2008/07/04/the-times-comes-tombstoning I was contacted about five weeks ago by a journalist from The Times who was interested in writing a piece on tombstoning. This had happened a few times before, but this time was different; he wanted to meet us and have a go. This sounded like a great idea, and from the initial conversation it sounded like it would be a well balanced article focusing on the fun you can have when tombstoning safely. So Tom Whipple caught the train from London to Bournemouth, along with a video journalist (Ariadne Zanella) who was going to be documenting the day and creating a piece for TimesOnline. We were also meeting a photographer (Russell Sachs) at Stair Hole who would be capturing the day in pictures. It was a fantastic day; sunny with maybe a little too much wind, but crucially the tide was at its highest while we were there. This allowed us to show Tom nearly all the jumping spots we use, and slowly build his confidence to the highest point on the day, 40ft! Unfortunately we couldn't go higher due to the choppy sea varying the water depth so much below us. But a 40ft jump from someone on their first day (having researched all the horror stories in the media) was a great result. I'm sure Tom felt safe at all times, and look forward to seeing the finished article in The Times newspaper and on the TimesOnline website. Here is one of Russell's pictures of the 40ft jump, and once the article is completed and ready for print we hope to be able to show more on the site. The Times are planning to release the article this summer.
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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:19:34 -0700 News site makes contact and wants to have a go http://tombstoning.com/2008/06/09/news-site-makes-contact-and-wants-to-have-a-go http://tombstoning.com/2008/06/09/news-site-makes-contact-and-wants-to-have-a-go We have been contacted a few times in the past by TV, film or other media companies and organisations that are working on pieces regarding tombstoning and want our input. I had a brief slot on the BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast Show towards the end of last summer, along with Nick Biddlecombe, discussing the dangers and what we (my friends and I) were doing as a group to mitigate those risks as much as possible when we were tombstoning. We have recently been contacted by a writer for a well known and respected news site, who is drafting an article regarding this 'craze' and wanted to be better informed before starting the piece. The thing that really stood out though, was this person wanted to join us for a day and take part in tombstoning to see how we prepare, check the area and finally, get jumping. Understanding that people who tombstone aren't idiots, but some idiots tombstone, was a refreshing change and we can't wait to show someone new the experience and thrill we get tombstoning. Photos and hopefully some video will be up shortly after the event, along with a write-up of how the day went.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Sun, 25 May 2008 17:31:10 -0700 14-year-old boy suffers spinal injuries while tombstoning http://tombstoning.com/2008/05/25/14-year-old-boy-suffers-spinal-injuries-while-tombstoning http://tombstoning.com/2008/05/25/14-year-old-boy-suffers-spinal-injuries-while-tombstoning A 14-year-old boy was in hospital last night with suspected spinal injuries after falling on to rocks while tombstoning. See dailymail.co.uk.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Tue, 20 May 2008 08:22:22 -0700 'Tombstoning' warning for North Wales http://tombstoning.com/2008/05/20/tombstoning-warning-for-north-wales http://tombstoning.com/2008/05/20/tombstoning-warning-for-north-wales In a Daily Post article following an investigation in to tombstoning in North Wales, a spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said...
"Go to a place where it’s safe. "Local knowledge and experience is needed. "Heed the warnings along the coast, piers and jetties. "If you see anyone who is at risk in the sea or deep water you should call 999."
In my opinion this is the kind of approach I think will work better. The adrenaline junkie character doesn't like being told they shouldn't do something because someone else (who probably isn't an adrenaline junkie) thinks it's dangerous. It's that feeling that makes them want to try it in the first place. But (unsurprisingly) not even your free-falling, base-jumping, solo-climbing, stuntman WANTS to be hurt. They want to get to that fine line where they get their buzz, but don't get hurt. See the Daily Post for the full article.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Wed, 14 May 2008 13:28:01 -0700 'I wish I had died' says man after 'tombstoning' into just 36 inches of water http://tombstoning.com/2008/05/14/i-wish-i-had-died-says-man-after-tombstoning-into-just-36-inches-of-water http://tombstoning.com/2008/05/14/i-wish-i-had-died-says-man-after-tombstoning-into-just-36-inches-of-water More information regarding one of the incidents on the 11th May has been published.
Mr Andrews, a builder from Plymouth, leapt off cliffs at Sharrow Beach in Whitsand Bay, Cornwall, on Sunday.

He downed six vodkas in a nearby pub to pluck up the courage to jump, then ignored coastguards who saw him on the cliff top and warned him to keep away.

A fast-ebbing tide had reduced the sea to a depth of just 3ft and he landed on sharp rocks, breaking his neck and damaging his spine in front of his horrified girlfriend Katie Hart, 22.

This is a truly terrible outcome for a day that started with people just having fun; and many more people could get injured if they don't take the risks involved seriously. Trying my best not to sound insensitive, the warnings were there to try and avoid this kind of accident, but they were overlooked. There are many comments on the article that give a good indication of public reaction to such events. See the Daily Mail for full details.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Mon, 12 May 2008 09:19:42 -0700 Two hurt in tombstoning accidents http://tombstoning.com/2008/05/12/two-hurt-in-tombstoning-accidents http://tombstoning.com/2008/05/12/two-hurt-in-tombstoning-accidents This weekend it seemed everyone rushed to the coast to soak up some rays and have some fun. But tombstoning is already back in the news after two people hurt themselves in separate incidents yesterday. BBC News: Man injured in 'tombstoning dive' We have briefly mentioned the dangers of diving or jumping off piers, and if you feel the urge to do so you really should check the water depth before you go for it. The safety section will have more information on the dangers of piers very soon. BBC News: Man hurt in 'tombstoning' plunge Jumping in to the sea from cliffs can be very dangerous. But you can make it much safer with just a bit of preparation. Checking the water below is a must otherwise you have no idea what you are jumping in to. Dave Scullion, from Brixham Coastguard says...
Tombstoning is madness whichever way you look at it. An individual has no real idea what's under the water they are jumping in and the tidal flows alter the depth of water dramatically.
I can fully understand his point of view; the more people he can deter from tombstoning, the less likely an accident is. But I disagree with the detail. An individual can have a very real idea what's under the water they are jumping in, if they just check it out first.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Mon, 03 Sep 2007 13:41:15 -0700 Telegraph article promoting tombstoning http://tombstoning.com/2007/09/03/telegraph-article-promoting-tombstoning http://tombstoning.com/2007/09/03/telegraph-article-promoting-tombstoning Jim White has a view on tombstoning not too dissimilar to mine, although I feel the manner in which he wrote the article was very provocative. Nevertheless it's interesting to see more articles appearing backing tombstoning, even if it's just from the perspective of protecting people's rights to do what they want.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:51:36 -0700 'Tombstoning' holidaymaker 'won't walk again' http://tombstoning.com/2007/08/20/tombstoning-holidaymaker-wont-walk-again http://tombstoning.com/2007/08/20/tombstoning-holidaymaker-wont-walk-again A 25-year-old holidaymaker is left permanently disabled after he jumped into water near the Mermaid Hotel at Hughtown on the island of St Mary's (Isles of Scilly). See 24dash.com.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/674983/033.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wKfITlFm3NT Dan Brown Dan Dan Brown