Iffland, who has won a record 10 consecutive Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series titles, decided to try the slide anyway.
She filmed the entire experience and later shared it on social media, initially hoping the moment would encourage other women to challenge themselves and step outside their comfort zones.
At first glance, the women-only restriction might have seemed unfair or outdated.
But there was actually a medical reason behind it.
The slide reportedly reaches speeds of around 50 mph, and the concern is not simply the speed itself. High-pressure water can potentially be forced into the body during fast water activities, creating a risk of serious internal injuries.
Medical literature has documented cases in which women suffered significant internal trauma after high-pressure water entered the body during activities such as water skiing, jet skiing, and water slides.
Although these injuries are considered uncommon, they can be extremely serious.
In some reported cases, the force of the water has caused severe tearing, internal bleeding, and injuries serious enough to require surgery.
Iffland said she was unaware of that risk when she decided to ride the slide.
She was more familiar with water-park restrictions based on height or weight and had never encountered one specifically banning women.
Speaking to news.com.au, she said she initially could not understand what would make the ride unsafe for women apart from the extreme speed.
But once she sat down and prepared to launch, she immediately began to question her decision.
Still, Iffland was able to see the humor in the situation.
When she uploaded the video to Instagram, she captioned it:
“Here for a good time not a long time! Another YOLO moment in my life.”
The clip attracted attention because of both the unusual rule and Iffland’s reputation as someone who regularly performs dangerous dives from extreme heights.
However, she later made it clear that she had never intended to make fun of the park’s safety restrictions.
For someone whose professional career involves constantly evaluating risk, Iffland said safety remains an important part of every decision she makes.
“A person’s safety is paramount, and I am constantly weighing up any danger with my job,”
she said.
The experience ultimately turned into more than just another adrenaline-filled moment.
What initially looked like a rule designed to limit women turned out to be connected to a specific physical safety concern.
And for Iffland, the incident became an unusual reminder that pushing boundaries does not always mean ignoring them.
Sometimes, even for one of the world’s most experienced cliff divers, understanding why a limit exists can be just as important as testing it.