Toggle light / dark theme

‘Manu jumping’: The physics behind making humongous splashes in the pool

Whether diving off docks, cannonballing into lakes or leaping off the high board, there’s nothing quite like the joy of jumping into water.

Olympic divers turned this natural act into a sophisticated science, with the goal of making a as small as possible. But another sport looks for just the opposite: the extreme maximum splash, one as high, wide and loud as possible.

Welcome to the world of “manu jumping.” Although not a familiar term in the United States, manu jumping is beloved throughout New Zealand. The sport originated in the Māori community, where popping a manu is a way of life. There, manu jumpers leap from bridges, wharves and diving platforms to make the giant splashes.

Leave a Comment

Lifeboat Foundation respects your privacy! Your email address will not be published.