An intrepid group of elderly individuals in northern China's Tianjin has recently sparked both curiosity and concern with their unique approach to the sport of
Spectators gather on and around Tianjin's Shizilin Bridge on Sunday to watch people, mostly local senior citizens, dive into the Haihe River. [photo: China Daily]
The spirited seniors have turned the Shizilin Bridge on the Haihe River into a stage for their aquatic acrobatics, leaving both residents and tourists spellbound. Videos of their daredevil diving acts have been widely circulated on social media platforms such as Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, and Sina Weibo, a popular microblogging site.
The bridge stands approximately 6 meters above the surface of the river, with the depth of water being around 7 meters, according to the divers, most of whom are over 60 years old.
The elderly divers have become hugely popular for their signature moves, which often include bold opening statements with dollops of humor before the daring plunge. Amid an orchestra of gasps and applause, they perform their impressive array of flips and jumps, each with a style uniquely their own.
A "panel of judges" among the crowds flashes scorecards for the participants after each dive. The panel comprises livestreamers, local residents and tourists.
The entertainment quotient of diving from the Shizilin Bridge is so huge that it has drawn many professionals, including 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medal winner He Chong, who visited the site on Saturday and delighted onlookers with a riveting performance. For the sake of comparison, the flexible springboards used in Olympic men's and women's competitions are roughly 3 meters high.
While there are other diving spots in Tianjin, the Shizilin Bridge in the city's Hebei district is the most popular, according to one of the elderly divers, who prefers to use his online name Muyu Qiuge. "When I was a little boy, I frequently swam in the Haihe River. Diving from the bridge is currently very popular. People do it just for fun," he said.
Amid the viral videos, some netizens have dubbed this spectacle as the "6A level" or even "8A level" tourist attraction in Tianjin, while 5A represents the top level of China's tourist attraction rating system.
Hu Wen, an associate professor at the Zhou Enlai School of Government at Nankai University, said the impromptu diving "represents the sense of humor of local residents, and the city's compelling culture in entertainment".
The fun sport seems to be playing a significant role in Tianjin's tourism. Attractions that are in close proximity to the bridge have experienced a substantial increase in their online exposure in the last two weeks of August, according to data from Douyin. Social media posts on the nearby Italian Style Street saw a staggering 51.8 percent jump, data showed.
Nevertheless, the amateur sport has triggered safety concerns, with local authorities adopting various countermeasures including stepping up bridge and river patrols, and putting up signs to discourage both diving and swimming.
A canoe rescue team has been put on duty since late August and local authorities have also repaired the edge of the bridge that enthusiasts use as a diving platform. Volunteers have been recruited to inform people about the potential dangers associated with amateur diving.
On Monday, an online video showed a member of the canoe team in Tianjin rescuing a man who was in imminent danger of drowning after diving.
Later in the day, the local traffic police department issued a travel advisory to ensure the safety of pedestrians and smooth flow of vehicles on the crowded bridge and its surrounding intersections.
In the past, deaths have been linked to similar activities around the bridge, according to local news app Jinyun.
Wang Haoran, a young tourist in Tianjin, agreed that the amateur sport was risky. "I didn't feel too good while diving off the bridge, especially the second time. I hit the water hard; my head still hurts," he said.
A senior official of Hebei district said that people should indulge in safer fun activities instead. "There is so much to see and explore in Tianjin. Tourists can walk along the Italian Style Street and the Tianjin Ancient Cultural Street, and check out delectable breakfast options," the official said.
Shi Meiqin, 61, who won diving World Cup gold for China in 1981, said in a video post on Monday: "Safety is the priority. ... If there are risks involved, diving (at the bridge) should be banned."
