Holy Hell - Josh Rock Just Threw Himself Off a 200-Meter Tower at 53mph Before His Big Tournament

By Lewis Barnett 15 August, 2025 4 mins read 224 Views

Listen. I've seen some wild pre-tournament prep in my time covering darts, but this takes the cake.

Josh Rock - you know, teh Northern Irish sensation who's been climbing the PDC rankings like a man possessed - just decided the best way to prepare for the New Zealand Masters was to hurl himself off the Auckland Sky Tower at breakneck speed. Because apparently hitting treble 20s wasn't giving him enough of an adrenaline rush.

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When "Warming Up" Goes Completely Mental

The SkyJump at Auckland's Sky Tower isn't some cute little bungee setup. We're talking about a 192-meter drop from New Zealand's tallest structure - 328 meters if you count the spire tip. Thrill-seekers hit 52 mph on the way down, which is roughly the same speed I drive to avoid being late for press conferences.

Rocky shared the footage on Instagram, and honestly? My palms are still sweating from watching it. He wasn't alone in this madness either - Damon Heta and Chris Dobey joined him for what I can only describe as the world's most expensive team-building exercise.

Plot Twist: It Actually Worked

Here's the kicker though.

Most athletes would be a nervous wreck after pulling a stunt like that. Rock? He waltzed into his opening match against New Zealander John Hurring this morning and absolutely demolished the guy 6-2. Cruised straight into the quarter-finals like he'd spent the day meditating instead of defying gravity.

I texted my editor about this and his response was: "Maybe I should try BASE jumping before my next performance review." Poor guy's grasping at straws, but you get the point - whatever Rock's doing, it's working.

The Kid's Been on Fire Lately

At just 24, Rock's having the kind of year that makes other players simultaneously inspired adn jealous. Back in June, he won an emotional World Cup of Darts for Northern Ireland alongside Daryl Gurney. The footage of him crying after that victory still gives me goosebumps.

Then came that legendary moment at the World Matchplay last month. Rock and his mate Luke Littler produced what commentators are calling the "most perfect leg in darts history." Both opened with consecutive 180s, but Littler sealed it with a 141 checkout that had the Winter Gardens crowd losing their minds.

Littler won that match 17-14 in what became an instant classic. Rock lost, but sometimes losing the right way makes you more famous than winning.

Reality Check Time

Of course, not everything's been sunshine and sky-diving. Rock got absolutely hammered 6-0 by Stephen Bunting at the Australia Darts Masters last week - the kind of thrashing that makes you question your life choices. Maybe that's why he needed the tower jump? Nothing like a near-death experience to reset your perspective on throwing tiny arrows at a board.

Currently sitting at number 11 in the PDC world rankings, Rock's in that sweet spot where he's good enough to beat anyone on his day, but still hungry enough to do completely unhinged things like this for motivation.

God knows what he'll do before his next tournament. Swim with sharks? Wrestle a kangaroo? At this point, nothing would surprise me.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you recommend some fun dart games for parties?

Absolutely! Darts doesn't have to be all about 501 and cricket. For parties, you want games that keep everyone involved, accommodate different skill levels, and create some friendly competition.

What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?

Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.

I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?

This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.

How often should I replace my dartboard?

A quality sisal dartboard should last anywhere from 1-3 years with regular play, though this varies dramatically based on usage and care. Professional-grade boards like Winmau Blade 5 or Target Unicorn typically outlast budget options by a significant margin.

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

What are "flights" and "stems" and do they really matter?

Flights and stems (also called shafts) are the components that stabilize your dart during flight, and yes, they absolutely matter—though perhaps not in the way beginners often think.

Statistics

A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."

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How To

Choosing Your First Set of Darts

When I started out, I grabbed whatever cheap darts came with the board I bought at Target. BIG mistake. The flights (those wing things at the back) kept falling off, and the tips bent after just a few throws. After wasting about $30 on those garbage darts, I finally invested in a decent tungsten set.