All eyes will be on Tobago on May 23 as free diving returns to the island for the opening of the Døds Diving League World Tour.
The Division of Tourism announced the event yesterday, marking the official start of the international freestyle diving season.
The event will be broadcast live on ESPN in the United States and distributed to over 60 countries.
Tobago got its first taste of the novelty sport on August 9 as the Døds Diving World Championship made its debut on the island.
That event attracted significant interest as hundreds flocked to see the athletes dive off an elevated platform on the Charlotteville jetty.
Death diving, which originated in Norway in the early 2000s, is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
Some of the star athletes such as Norwegian Ken Stornes showcase the Viking spirit, flying through their air with an axe to accentuate their dives.
The division said Tobago has solidified itself as a premier destination for the sport and Charlotteville, overlooking the iconic Pirate’s Bay, provides a natural landscape and dramatic backdrop for the daredevil competition.
The World Tour will bring 30 to 40 competitors vying for glory and points across multiple rounds in a knockout format.
Divers will be judged on power, technical execution, style, landing, and overall impression.
At the end of the world tour, points will be tallied ahead of qualification for the prestigious Døds Diving World Championships.
Males and females will compete in a single open category.
A Dods Diving Academy will precede the event, allowing locals to train with elite athletes. A local qualification competition will then be held, offering a pathway for their competitive debut.
Tourism Secretary Zorisha Hackett is excited and said Tobago is an ideal destination for sport tourism.
She said, “This event not only showcases our breathtaking natural assets but also creates meaningful opportunities for local athletes and communities to engage on a global stage.”
