LIVING THE HIGH LIFE

But adrenaline thrills aren't the only attraction of this daredevil sport

Matt Cooper has no illusions about the hazards of diving from a 27-meter platform — about as high as a nine-story building — into the sea, a lake, or a diving tank.

"Even if it's a good dive, the impact you have from 27 meters is like a car crash going 85 kilometers per hour," said Cooper, who's preparing for the high-diving competition this week at the World Aquatics Championships in southwestern Japan.

Cooper is dented up.