British sportsperson
David Antony Christopher Potter, known as David Kirke, (26 September 1945 – 21 October 2023) was a British sportsperson.
Early life and education
Born on September 26, 1945, in Shawbury, Shropshire, Kirke was the eldest of seven children of Arnold Potter, a schoolmaster, and Fraye (Kirke) Potter, a concert pianist.[1] He adopted his mother's maiden name as his surname during his time at the University of Oxford.[1] He studied psychology and philosophy at Corpus Christi College, Oxford.[1] Following university, he worked in publishing and edited a poetry journal.[1]
Career
Kirke's notable contribution to extreme sports was initiating what is considered the first modern bungee jump in 1979, off the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, England.[1][2][3] This event drew inspiration from the land diving ritual of Vanuatu and involved an elastic rope used in military applications.[1][4]
In the late 1970s, Kirke co-founded the Dangerous Sports Club at Oxford.[1] The club became known for its involvement in high-risk activities.[1] The idea for the Dangerous Sports Club reportedly emerged during a trip to the Swiss Alps with Chris Baker, a British department-store heir, where they discussed the concept of exploring new extreme sports.[1] His activities with the Dangerous Sports Club often combined elements of extreme sports and performance art. These included unconventional stunts such as skiing with a carousel horse in the Swiss Alps, flying an inflatable kangaroo suspended by balloons over the English Channel, skateboarding in Pamplona's running of the bulls, and organizing a meal on the rim of an active volcano in Saint Vincent.[1]
Personal life
Kirke's personal life experienced a significant shift after the death of his girlfriend in a bus accident, leading him to leave his job and return to Oxford.[1] This change marked his entry into a lifestyle characterized by adventurous and often perilous endeavors.[1]
References