Five seconds before Dan Worden throws himself over the ledge, he pauses to take a deep breath, his attention razor-sharp. Four seconds: he exhales and takes a small step forward. Three seconds: he extends both arms to his sides, closes his eyes, and visualizes the dive he’s planned. Two seconds: he lowers his arms, his toes now gripping the edge of a 60-foot lava rock cliff. One second, one last breath. Zero: He’s airborne, spinning through the sky before gracefully slicing into the ocean below.
Along the cliff, crowds of onlookers erupt in awe, marveling at his precision. “Cheeeee-hoooo!” a medley of teenagers scream. “Unreal!”
For Dan, slowly surfacing with a toothy smile, this is just another day doing what he loves. Hurling himself into the abyss isn’t necessarily an act of recklessness, it’s a pastime that’s shaped his life. A natural athlete and born adventurer, Dan’s passion for all things water led him into the world of competitive swimming and diving. He earned a coveted spot on the roster at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where he made a name for himself as an elite swimmer and diver.
“The water has shaped the person I am. It’s given me friendships, memories, and experiences beyond count. I couldn’t imagine a world where I wasn’t constantly in the ocean,” Dan says. “But cliff diving is what’s brought me the most joy and connected me to people and places in a way I could have never imagined.”
For Dan, the ocean is more than just a playground, it’s also a proving ground. Having spent the last decade pioneering cliff diving on O‘ahu, Dan has garnered tens of thousands of fans online, spearheading a small community of local divers looking to push their limits amid some of the world’s most jaw-dropping backgrounds.
“There’s nothing like cliff diving in Hawai‘i. It’s so raw. And there’s something about the level of focus you need that really appeals to me,” he explains. “When you’re standing on the edge, there’s no room for distraction—the margin for error is just so thin. You’re surrounded by so much beauty and your heart is racing. Being able to take that concentration, trust my training, and execute a perfect dive is what makes me feel alive.”
In addition to being a professional cliff diver and renowned waterman, Dan is also a dedicated ocean-safety expert committed to sharing his knowledge and skills with future generations. He works closely with surf schools, lifeguards, and youth programs throughout Hawai‘i, helping to instill water safety skills to ensure keiki can thrive in Hawai‘i’s aquatic wonderland for decades to come. “For me, giving back is about respect. It’s about respect for the ocean and for the people of this place that I love so much. If I can pass on my knowledge and help even one person feel safer and more confident in the water, then I know I’ve done something meaningful. And if I can have a lot of fun while doing it, then even better.”
