Nikko Bermea jumps off the high diving board as he competes in the final round of Water World's 22nd annual Belly Flop Contest on June 28, 2018, in Federal Heights, Colorado. Top prize for the annual event is $1000. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
Darren Taylor, also known as Professor Splash, gives some last minute belly flop techniques to participants before they take part in Water World's 22nd annual Belly Flop Contest on June 28, 2018 in Federal Heights, Colorado.(Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
Nikko Bermea dives off the lower diving board as he competes in the first round of Water World's 22nd annual Belly Flop Contest on June 28, 2018 in Federal Heights, Colorado. Bermea ended up taking first place in the men's division. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
Belly Flop Contest judges from left to right Darren Taylor, also known as Professor Splash, Lindsey Burleson, 2018 Adams County Fair Queen, and Sean Malhotra, give their scores for a contestant during Water World's 22nd annual Belly Flop contest. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
Sarah Rawlings, who came dressed as Granny Flops A Lot, dives off the high diving board as she competes in the final round of Water World's 22nd annual Belly Flop Contest on June 28, 2018 in Federal Heights, Colorado. Rawlings ended up taking first place and the $1,000 prize in the women's division. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
Caleb Robbins, of Lakewood, dives off the lower diving board as he competes in the first round of Water World's 22nd annual Belly Flop Contest on June 28, 2018 in Federal Heights, Colorado. Robbins ended up taking second place in the men's division. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
Nikko Bermea celebrates winning the men's division of Water World's 22nd annual Belly Flop Contest. He has worked at Water World for 5 years and finally turned 18 so he could take part in the annual event. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
From left to right, PJ Holtzhauser, Jeremy Stone and David Portwood show off their painted bellies before taking part in Water World's 22nd annual Belly Flop Contest on June 28, 2018 in Federal Heights, Colorado. Despite Thursday's hot temperatures, cooler weather is expected for the weekend. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
Tristen Baraga, 18, rides a board on the Wave at Water World. At 2:20 p.m., Denver reached a record high of 105 degrees Thursday. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
Bradley Koenig does tricks on his board on the Wave at Water World. Denver reached its all-time record for any day of the year Thursday with a high of 105 degrees. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
Anna Scheitler enjoys riding her board on the Wave at Water World on June 28, 2018 in Federal Heights, Colorado. Denver has hit 105 degrees only four times since the city started recording temperatures in 1872. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
Visitors to Water World fly through the water on the Screamin Mimi ride. The park is set to reopen Memorial Day weekend for the 2021 season. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
Grace DeSalvo, 8, and her babysitter Sammy Vesterby, 20, fly through the water on the Screamin Mimi ride. The official recording place for the city is at Denver International Airport. (Helen H. Richardson,The Denver Post)
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Nikko Bermea jumps off the high diving board as he competes in the final round of Water World's 22nd annual Belly Flop Contest on June 28, 2018, in Federal Heights, Colorado. Top prize for the annual event is $1000. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
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By Helen H. Richardson | hrichardson@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
Water World held its 22nd annual Belly Flop Contest in Federal Heights on Thursday. Winners in the men and women categories took home $1,000 prizes. The competition came at a good time, as Denver tied its all-time record high of 105 degrees at 2:20 p.m. that day, according to the National Weather Service. The city has only been that hot four times since records started being kept in 1872.
Update: This story was updated on June 29, 2018, at 2:50 p.m. to show that Water World is located in Federal Heights.
