Vali Graham finds himself poised at the edge of a precipice in the Blue Mountains, standing at a height of 42.5 meters above a small waterhole, as calculated by his friend.
Trigger Warning: The following story includes footage of extreme stunts and may contain images that some viewers may find unsettling.
The 21-year-old emits a series of primal screams, attempting to mentally and physically prepare himself for the leap. Multiple cameras are recording the scene from various angles, including a YouTuber positioned below with a slow-motion setup.
This moment is the culmination of Vali’s journey, which began when he, an avid mountain biker, stumbled upon videos on social media. A transformative trip to a wellness retreat in Costa Rica introduced him to a diving influencer who had a profound impact on his perspective.
“I watched some videos and thought, ‘Wow, that looks incredible … I have to give it a shot,’” Vali recalls.
His initial experiences involved jumps of up to 10 meters with friends, but a meeting with Reagan Popoff in Costa Rica inspired him to push his boundaries further.
“I came across a video by Reagan inviting people to Costa Rica for cliff jumping and community-building. It sounded so appealing,” Vali shares.
However, Reagan’s description of a “death dive” serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved. He explained to 7.30, “Death diving is when you land as if you’re going to belly flop, but at the last moment, you hit the water, giving the illusion that you’re about to harm yourself, followed by a proper entry.” He also describes it as a deeply spiritual experience.
“When I jump, I feel a connection to God, as if I am fulfilling my purpose. It’s not recklessness; it’s living fully in the moment, as we are designed to,” Reagan elaborates.
Vali claims he found a sense of spirituality during the retreat led by Reagan, where he attempted jumps from heights of up to 20 meters.
Upon returning to Australia, Vali took his skills to new heights, literally. Within months, he was jumping from cliffs of 25 meters, eventually attempting a 32-meter leap, all while documenting his progress online.
“I wanted to create an online presence showcasing the potential of the human body and mind,” he explains.
In the realm of social media, death dives often garner unofficial “world records” for daring jumps and aerial maneuvers. Vali’s latest endeavor in the Blue Mountains was aimed at setting a new record for the highest freestyle death dive.
Before taking the plunge, Vali reached out to Reagan for encouragement and guidance. “He FaceTimed me from the top of a 40-meter cliff, saying, ‘It’s calling my name; I’m going to do it tomorrow,’” Reagan remembers, adding that he offered prayers and advice for the jump.
Less than a day later, Vali took the leap, executing three spins in the air before crashing into the water, resulting in severe injuries, including a fractured skull, spine, and sternum.
Following the incident, Vali underwent two surgeries to insert rods and plates for stabilization. From his hospital bed, he shared footage of his jump on Instagram, which went viral, amassing 15 million views. He later expressed gratitude for the spiritual support he received prior to jumping, stating that “things could have been much worse.”
When asked about the incident, Reagan distanced himself from any blame, asserting, “I don’t feel responsible for what happened. Life is about experiencing and living fully, not just avoiding death.” He views Vali’s passion as something to celebrate.
In the wake of his jump, Vali has come to realize that many influencers in the cliff diving community do not disclose the injuries they have sustained, which can mislead aspiring jumpers. “I’ve seen some of those who inspired me get hurt, but they don’t talk about it. It’s crucial to share those stories so that others understand the risks involved,” he remarks.
He also faced backlash for his actions, particularly from critics concerned about the strain on Australia’s healthcare system. “I received a lot of negative feedback suggesting I shouldn’t be treated for these injuries. It was disheartening, but it’s clear they don’t grasp our motivations,” Vali states.
Cliff jumping is increasingly popular in Australia, with many jumps occurring in national parks. Rohan Wilcox, an 18-year-old jumper, recently organized a two-week tour along Australia’s east coast for about 50 local and international cliff jumpers.
Australia hosted its inaugural international cliff jumping competition, Cliff Masters, in Triabunna, Tasmania last year, with a follow-up event scheduled for January 2026. The competition featured 13 freestyle jumpers, including Reagan and Rohan, who emphasized safety measures such as having paramedics and a Red Bull safety team present.
“Our priority is safety, and we want to convey that message. With the support of the Red Bull safety team, we are committed to ensuring a secure environment for all participants,” they concluded.
