Daredevils of Niagara
Famous Daredevils of Niagara Falls

Meet the Daredevils Who Took on Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls has always attracted people with big dreams—and even bigger courage. Over the years, a handful of daredevils have tried to defy the power of the Falls with barrels, tightropes, jet skis, and stunts that seem impossible today. Some walked away with fame, others with heavy consequences, but all of them left behind unbelievable stories that have become part of Niagara’s history.
Annie Taylor
Learn how Annie Edson Taylor became the first person to survive Niagara Falls — a daring story you’ll hear on our guided Niagara Falls day tour.
Annie Taylor- Fist person to go over the Falls in a barrel
Bobby Leach
Learn about daredevil Bobby Leach, who went over Niagara Falls in a steel barrel in 1911 and survived. Discover how his dramatic stunt became part of Niagara Falls history and why we share his story during our guided tour experience.
Portrait of Niagara Daredevil Bobby Leach
Charles Stephens
A barrel, a blacksmith’s anvil, and the power of Horseshoe Falls — the 1920 attempt by Charles Stephens remains one of the most dramatic and tragic daredevil stories in Niagara Falls history.
Jean Lussier
A giant rubber ball, Niagara Falls, and a daring idea that somehow worked. In 1928, Jean Lussier survived the plunge over Horseshoe Falls in one of the most unusual stunts in history.
George Stathakis
In 1930, George Stathakis made one of the most unusual daredevil attempts in history: one remembered as much for its outcome as for the unexpected survivor.
Stathakis' Portrait
William “Red” Hill Jr.
In 1951, daredevil William Red Hill Jr. attempted to go over Horseshoe Falls in a flimsy contraption known as “The Thing.” The tragic outcome led to new laws banning stunts at Niagara Falls.
Portrait of William "Red" Hill Jr.
William Fitzgerald
In 1961, William Fitzgerald, using the name Nathan Boya, became the first African-American to go over Horseshoe Falls in a custom-built sphere. His calculated stunt led to the first conviction under the Niagara Parks Act.
Niagara Falls Daredevil portrait
Karel Soucek
The 1984 Niagara Falls attempt by Karel Soucek saw him survive a plunge over Horseshoe Falls in a custom barrel. Months later, a failed stunt ended his life.
Niagara Falls Daredevil
Steven Trotter and Lori Martin
In 1985, Steven Trotter became the youngest person to go over Niagara Falls. He returned in 1995 with Lori Martin, becoming the first couple to survive the plunge.
Trotter and Martin
David Munday
In 1985 and 1993, David Munday survived two separate plunges over Horseshoe Falls, becoming the first person to successfully go over Niagara Falls twice.
Close up of Munday's second contraption
Peter DeBernardi and Jeffrey Petkovich
In 1989, Peter DeBernardi and Jeffrey Petkovich became the first pair to survive going over Niagara Falls together in the same barrel.
Peter and Jeffrey
Jessie Sharp
On June 5, 1990 Jesse Sharp attempted to ride his polyurthane kayak over Niagara Falls. The 28 year old from Ocoee, Tennessee wasn't experienced whitewater kayaker. His 3. 6 m (12 ft), 16 kg (36 lb) kayak was named “Rapidman”.
Robert Overacker
Shortly after noon on October 1, 1995, Robert Overacker challenged Niagara Falls on a jet ski. The 39 year old from Camarillo, California went over the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. He carried a parachute strapped to his back. At the brink, he attempted to discharge the rocket propelled device, but it didn't work.
Kirk Jones
On October 20th 2003, Kirk Raymond Jones became the first human in recorded history to intentionally go over the Horseshoe Falls wearing just his clothes and survive. Remarkably, he did this without any protective device or life jacket.
Un-named naked man
On March 11, 2009, a Canadian in his mid-thirties went over the guardrail and waded into the freezing cold Niagara River. He was swept over the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. The force of the current tore his clothes off. He was spotted naked below Niagara Falls, in the dangerous churning river water.
Roger and Deanna Woodword
It was a sunny afternoon on July 9th, 1960 when what became known as the "Miracle of Niagara" took place. 40 year old Jim Honeycutt from Michigan invited his coworkers two children to go with him for a boat ride.
The Great Blondin
In 1859, Charles Blondin crossed the Niagara River Gorge above Niagara Falls 21 times on a tightrope, performing daring stunts including cooking on the rope and carrying a man across.
The Great Blondin
Maria Spelterina
In 1876, Maria Spelterina became the only woman to cross the Niagara River Gorge on a tightrope at Niagara Falls, performing daring stunts including crossing blindfolded and in chains.
Nik Wallenda
In 2012, Nik Wallenda became the first tightrope walker to cross near Horseshoe Falls, completing a televised walk across the Niagara River Gorge watched by millions worldwide.
Nik Walienda
Captain Mathew Webb
In 1883, Matthew Webb, the first man to swim the English Channel, attempted to swim the dangerous Whirlpool Rapids of the Niagara River at Niagara Falls, creating one of the most unique and tragic stories in Niagara Falls history.
Portrait of Mathew Webb
William Kendall
In 1886, William J. Kendall, a Boston policeman, became the first person to survive swimming the deadly Whirlpool Rapids of the Niagara River below Niagara Falls.

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