'Professor Splash' makes a record splash at Water World

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FEDERAL HEIGHTS - A stunt diver known the world over as "Professor Splash" broke his own shallow-dive record at Water World Thursday.

Professor Splash, who's real name is Darren Taylor, dove 35 feet 5 inches into 12 inches of water in a padded baby pool. The same pool he set five previous records with.

The stunt was performed as part of an official "ribbon splashing" for Water World's new attraction - The Big Top Family Fun Zone.

Taylor still gets nervous before jumps.

"I'm nervous, it's a good thing... I'm always on the ball to make sure you don't do any thing wrong," he said.

Taylor has previously set shallow-dive world records in Italy, Spain, Japan and Germany. Professor Splash said his technique is to "skip across the water" when he makes contact with it.

"He's an entertainer and an entertainer has got to be a little crazy and he is a stunt man entertainer which makes him even more threatening to the world of sanity," said ring master of the event Paul Borrillo.

Taylor also added that "experience and research" is the key to success dives and that what he does is not easy. Taylor says a record-setting dive in Tokyo caused him to black out for a few seconds.

Professor Splash is a native of Colorado, and he maintains a website chronicling his exploits at www.professorsplash.com.

Young kids who were present had good questions for him. One boy wondered, "What happens if he doesn't land in the pool?"

The jump lasted just seconds and Taylor stood right up after the jump, showed his relief and excitement and the crowd cheered for him and then went on about their day at Water World.

Water World executives say the Big Top Family Fun Zone is a circus-themed area designed for family fun. The 8,600 square-foot area features multiple activities for tikes and toddlers, and areas where family and friends can relax and watch their little ones dip, swim and slide.

The area is adjacent to the newly refurbished Fun H2Ouse, which offers hundreds of water gags and activities for people of all ages; the TurboRacer attraction; and, three of the highest and fastest slides in North America in the Redline, Pipeline and Flatline. The Fun H2Ouses new makeover completes the circus theme at the Big Top.

For more information please visit, http://www.waterworldcolorado.com/.