Molly
Carlson
Canada
·
Cliff Diving
Date of birth | September 23, 1998 |
|---|---|
Birthplace | Fort Frances, Ontario |
Age | 28 |
Nationality | Canada |
Career start | 2021 |
Discipline | Cliff Diving |
Ever since her unforgettable debut at Saint-Raphaël on the French Riviera, where three stunning dives launched her into a surprise second-place finish, Molly Carlson has been a perennial threat to nine-time champion Rhiannan Iffland.
Following her rookie season, in which she made it onto three podiums and bagged silver at the World Aquatics High Diving qualifier, the bubbly Canadian earned a permanent ticket and hasn’t looked back since.
Emerging as one of the world's best
In her first appearance as a permanent diver, the Montreal-based athlete added her name to the list of World Series competition winners with an impressive victory at the 2022 season opener in Boston, before six more second places secured her a runner-up spot behind Iffland.
The next two seasons followed a similar pattern, as Carlson missed the podium just once in 13 competitions and picked up three more victories – including an emotional win on home soil in Montreal in 2024.
At the start of the 2025 season, Carlson suffered a frightening slip from the platform in Polignano a Mare, which in turn ended her chances of pushing once again for the King Kahekili Trophy. However, she didn't let the setback dent her confidence and she returned at the final event of the season, where she secured a second place finish.
In 2026, she capped off a strong return to form from the 21m platform with victory at the season finale in Polignano a Mare – a result which secured her another runner-up finish behind Iffland.
A social media sensation
As well as being one of the best cliff divers on the planet, Carlson is also creating a huge social impact as a world-renowned content creator. Taking inspiration from her own mantra of self-love, body positivity and overcoming fears, she founded the #BraveGang movement – a seven-million-strong community which empowers and encourages people to share stories of bravery and uplift one another. She fulfilled a dream when she was invited to the 2024 Paris Games as a creator.
Named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 sports list in 2026, Carlson is proof that you can chase medals and meaning at the same time.
Beyond the platform: A historic iceberg dive
In October 2026, Carlson elevated her bravery to new heights when she became the first woman in history to dive from a freestanding iceberg. Teaming up with legendary ice climber Will Gadd, she travelled to Newfoundland, Canada, where she climbed a 15m iceberg before launching a backwards dive into the freezing Atlantic Ocean.
Describing it as the scariest thing she'd ever done, Carlson saw the challenge as more than a just world-first achievement. It was also a perfect opportunity to share the message behind her #BraveGang movement and inspire others to face their fears. “I'm doing this for all the people that might be scared to show what's under the surface,” she said.
Watch Molly Carlson take her historic plunge from an iceberg in the video below.
Career Highlights
2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021