Defying Gravity

For decades, Brazilian skateboarder Sandro Dias dreamed of skating down the curved side of a massive building in Porto Alegre, Brazil. In September 2025, at age 50, he finally did it, riding his skateboard down 22 stories (197 feet!) of the Centro Administrativo Fernando Ferrari building. In just eight seconds, Dias reached a top speed of 64 mph, earning two Guinness World Records: one for the tallest drop into a ramp and one for the fastest skateboard speed.

The incredible feat, called the Red Bull Building Drop, took months of training and careful planning. Dias practiced with a motorcycle pulling him and wore an 88-pound vest to prepare for the intense forces he’d face. Engineers built a smooth ramp, padded the walls, and added foam at the bottom for safety. Known as Mineirinho, Dias has won six world championships, but this stunt wasn’t about fame. “It’s about pushing the limits and creating opportunities for people,” he said, hoping his courage inspires the next generation of skaters.

Your Task:
Think about a time when someone pushed the limits, in sports, science, art, or everyday life, to achieve something amazing.
In 1–2 paragraphs, describe:

What dream or goal would you like to accomplish if there were no limits?

What skills, training, or teamwork would it take to make it real?

How could your effort inspire others, like Sandro Dias inspired new skateboarders?