What happened to world champion diver who ignored 'no women' sign on extreme water slide

World champion diver Rhiannan Iffland went viral in June 2024 when she posted a video of her ride on the waterslide deemed not suitable for women.

The Australian star's 'YOLO moment' at the Area 47 adventure park in Austria drew a lot of attention online as she took a ride on one of Europe's fastest waterslides.

Iffland got on the slide despite warnings stating that it was only for men, with women at risk of suffering serious injury.

"Due to high risk of injury, women are not allowed to use this slide," read a warning sign attached to the entrance of the slide.

However, Iffland decided to take the risk and ride the slide regardless.

"Here for a good time not a long time! Another YOLO moment," read the caption on a post on the diver's Instagram.

Why can't women use the Area 47 waterslide?

Many experts believe that high-power waterslides are actually a serious risk to women's health and safety.

Indeed, in 2019, Monu Bhagat suffered a 8cm internal tear after riding a water slide.

"I was told to cross my arms and legs and there were safety signs at the top of the slide,” she told The Sun.

"I’ve been on these types of slides before so I knew what I was doing.

"As I went down I felt a tight pull and to start with I thought I had a wedgie, but as I got out of the pool blood started pouring down my legs."

After Iffland's post went viral, Area 47 explained to LADbible Group later in 2024 that they ‘did not intend to create a ‘men only’ attraction’ at the water park, originally built in 2009, but were forced to take action after a number of accidents.

A spokesperson said: "Initially, this particular slide was open to both women and men.

“However, in the second year, we noticed a significant increase in accidents on this slide, which required us to take action.

“The risks for women using this slide were tragically highlighted a few years ago when a woman was severely injured on a similar slide in the Canary Islands.”

After the post went viral, Iffland said she had not intended to mock the park's the safety regulations.

"It was never my intent to mock the safety regulations of this water slide," she told 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."