'Extreme' waterslide with speeds of 80km/hr has explicitly banned women. Here's why

Australian diving champion Rhiannan Iffland recently defied safety warnings by using a waterslide in Austria’s Area 47 adventure park that explicitly bans women. The 32-year-old athlete posted a video of herself taking on the challenge, bringing attention to a controversial safety rule and reigniting discussions about gender-specific restrictions on extreme rides.

Area 47, located in Austria, is renowned for its array of “extreme” activities, such as bungee jumping, canyoning, and white-water rapids. One of its most popular attractions is Europe’s fastest waterslide, which reaches speeds of up to 80 km/hr.

Despite its popularity, the slide comes with a warning sign that prohibits women from using it. This restriction is based on reports of severe injuries women have suffered on high-speed slides, where high-pressured water can cause significant physical harm and infections.

Iffland, a seven-time consecutive Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series champion, appeared undeterred by the warning. She shared footage on social media, showing herself preparing to go down the slide with a caption reading, “Apparently women are not supposed to do this slide.” She then posted a video of her descent, captioned, “Here for a good time not a long time! Another YOLO moment.”

“It was never my intent to mock the safety regulations of this water slide,” Iffland clarified in a statement to news.com.au. “A person’s safety is paramount and I am constantly weighing up any danger with my job. To suggest otherwise, is wrong.”