David Munday
April 12, 2019
David Munday

2 months before he succeeded in an attempt to go over Niagara Falls, David Munday tried on July 28, 1985, but was stopped by the Niagara Parks police. They stopped him in the river above the falls in a hydro power pool and fined him $503. They warned him that another attempt could come with 30 days in jail and $1000 fine. He commented,"What bothers me is that I'd never been arrested in my life. This is a whole new ballgame, being treated almost like a criminal." The police warning wasn't enough to deter him. The 48 year old from near Hamilton, Ontario made his own sophisticated steel barrel with aluminum and foam for lining, painted white and red with a maple leaf on the outside. It contained in interior video camera, oxygen tank and radio equipment and cost him around $16,000. On the morning of October 5th, 1985, David Munday successfully challenged Niagara Falls. After his plunge, Munday emerged from his barrel unscathed in his blue mechanic's coveralls. Climbing up the slippery rocks, he was aided by his ground crew and was greeted by a few members of the local media. The Niagara Parks police find him $15,000 but didn't incarcerate him. Five years later on July 15, 1990 Munday made a third attempt to go over Niagara Falls in a simple 179 kg (394 lb) steel barrel. But it got stuck in some low water above the brink of the Falls. The barrel was eventually retrieved with the help of a crane and cable. Munday was against charged and fined $4375 for performing an illegal stunt on Niagara Parks Commission property. But this wasn't the last we'll hear of David Munday. Three years later, on September 26, 1993 he would go over Niagara Falls a second time. He used an inexpensive red and white, 660 lb (299 kg) 1.2 meter (4 ft) steel ball. Once over the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, the converted diving bell was spotted and towed by the Maid of the Mist boat to the dock. After 45 minutes, Munday emerged wearing a protective helmet with cuts, scrapes and bruises, but he refused to go to the hospital. He said the ride was “wild”. David Munday was the first person to go over Niagara Falls twice. He is quoted,”I'll never do the Canadian Horseshoe Falls again. Maybe the American Falls, if I had the money.” He returned to his work as a mechanic near Hamilton Ontario.

Contact Us

Send us a note or give us a call if you have any questions about our tour, private/custom packages, and optional extras.

Contacts

Phone: +1-416-738-4782

Email: niagara@chariots-of-fire.com

Got a question?
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.