For David “The Bullet” Smith, embracing a career as a human cannonball seemed like a natural progression. Growing up, he was inspired by the sight of his father, David Smith Sr., being launched from a cannon.
“My parents left for the circus after finishing college. My father was an accomplished gymnast and always had a knack for constructing unusual devices,” Smith recalled. “He often mentions that he spent an entire year perfecting his first human cannon, which has led to the creation of eight cannons since then. At around 12 years old, I witnessed him receive his first Guinness World Record for the longest cannonball flight.”
Smith took his inaugural flight from a cannon in the front yard of his family home in Oregon at the age of 17, but it wasn’t until two years later that he formally joined the family tradition.
“I was in North Carolina, pursuing my own interests when I received a message from my father. He said, ‘Hey son, it’s your dad. I’ve hurt my back and need you to fill in for me, you start on Wednesday.’ I found myself in the cannon three days later,” he explained.
Initially hesitant about following in his father’s footsteps, Smith ultimately accepted that it was his destined path. “When Dad asks you to do something, you just do it; there was never any doubt in my mind,” he stated. “In hindsight, I wonder if he faked that injury just to get me into this role. I’m thankful he did, as it has led to incredible adventures around the globe.”
Now, decades later, Smith holds the Guinness World Records for both the longest and highest human cannonball shots, achieving distances of 198 feet and heights of 89 feet, respectively. During this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show, tens of thousands of spectators watched him perform, and while the displays appeared thrilling, he emphasized that they are the result of meticulous planning.
Describing the experience of being launched from the cannon, Smith remarked, “There’s nothing quite like it. The moment you’re inside the cannon, it’s one of the most intense sensations imaginable. When I look up, all I see is a small opening to the sky. By the time my body registers that the cannon has fired, I’m already airborne. It’s over in half a second, with forces ten times that of gravity. You either prepare yourself or you don’t.”
As a second-generation human cannonball, Smith hopes his own children, both in their late teens, will consider following in his footsteps. “I believe they will give it a try; they owe it to themselves to experience it at least a few times before deciding,” he said. “It’s tough for me to hold them back from an experience they might want to pursue.”
Despite the unpredictable nature of his profession, Smith would not trade his lifestyle for anything else. “There’s no routine; it’s all about embracing adventure and relishing the excitement of the crowd, which is precisely why I continue to do this. I can’t imagine a more fulfilling experience than what I have been fortunate to enjoy. Every injury and frightening moment has been worth it,” he concluded.
