66 Feet Up: World-Class Divers Leap into Lake Superior This Summer

This summer, Minnesota will host a first-of-its-kind event as elite professional high divers plunge into Lake Superior in what organizers are calling a landmark competition.

USA Diving, the national governing body of diving in the US recognized by the United States Olympic Committee, will host the inaugural Superior High Dive Challenge in partnership with Festival of Sail Duluth.

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Competition During Tall Ships Weekend

The competition will take place during the Festival of Sail, when the popular tall ships return to Duluth from July 10 to 13. Visitors will get a chance to see top high divers compete for the male and female titles of Superior High Dive Champion.

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A 66-foot diving tower will be built on the new Duluth seawall by Minnesota native and record holder for the highest dive, Dana Kunze.

Competition Schedule - International and Local Talent

The event opens on July 10 with an exhibition showcase, followed by two days of official competition on Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12, with a final closing show on July 13. All events are included with a Festival of Sail ticket.

Five male and five female international divers will compete for titles, and the event will also feature Minnesota athletes Nate Jimerson, a St. Cloud State Hall of Famer and former House of Dancing Water performer, and Maya Kelly, a top-ranked U.S. diver who recently finished sixth at the 2024 High Diving World Cup.

USA Diving’s Events Coordinator Owen Weymouth says, “Partnering with the Festival of Sail brings incredible energy, and with a world-class field of athletes and the stunning setting of Duluth’s lakefront, this will be a one-of-a-kind experience for fans and families alike.”