Canadian high diver Molly Carlson has become the first woman to dive from a free-standing iceberg. 

The 28-year-old from Thunder Bay, Ontario, completed the feat off the coast of Twillingate, Newfoundland, performing a backward dive of approximately 15 metres into the frigid North Atlantic. The achievement is showcased in the documentary Red Bull Iceberg Dive, which follows Carlson's journey from training to the historic jump.

While Carlson is one of the world's premier cliff divers and a regular competitor in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, the iceberg presented an entirely different challenge. Unlike a traditional diving platform, an iceberg can move, crack or even roll without warning, creating unique safety concerns. 

The project required months of preparation. Carlson trained in cold water, tested specialized wetsuits and learned ice-climbing techniques with Canadian climber Will Gadd, who helped guide the effort. The team also spent extensive time searching for a stable iceberg that could safely support the dive.

"Icebergs are incredibly dangerous," Carlson said in the documentary.

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Despite her experience diving from heights exceeding 20 metres, Carlson admitted the challenge pushed her outside her comfort zone.

"This is definitely the scariest thing I've ever done," she said. 

The dive itself took place in June after years of planning. Carlson told CBC Sports the concept was about four years in the making and was inspired in part by a desire to showcase Canada's natural beauty. 

Even after arriving in Newfoundland, there was no guarantee the attempt would happen. Weather conditions, ocean swells and iceberg stability all had to align before Carlson and her team felt comfortable moving forward. 

When the moment finally arrived, the nerves gave way to exhilaration.

"I felt like I was in the air for like 10 minutes," Carlson told the outlet, describing the successful jump as "the dive of my dreams." 

Beyond the record-setting accomplishment, Carlson said the project carried a broader message about confronting fear. The athlete, who has been open about her experiences with anxiety, believes bravery is not about eliminating fear but learning to move forward despite it. 

The historic dive marks another milestone for Carlson, whose growing list of accomplishments now includes becoming the first woman to complete a dive from a free-standing iceberg in the icy waters off Newfoundland.