‘It’s pure joy,’ says human cannonball

HIS father and grandfather were clowns but he wanted something a little more exciting – so he opted to be shot out of a cannon at 90km/h.

Circus performer Luis Daza – one of only about four human cannonballs in the world – says the first time he was shot out of a cannon it was all adrenalin – and the second all panic. But now it is all enjoyment. The father of Jakson, 6, Chloe, 5 and Luisa, 3 is regularly shot from a cannon to fly between 50m and 100m.

He then lands on a custom-designed landing bag.

Due to space constraints, Daza will only be airborne for about 50m in the Bay performances of AUSSIE: the Australian Circus Spectacular taking place this weekend and next week.

The third-generation circus performer is just one of several unique acts which make up the death-defying crew of AUSSIE.

The 33-year-old was born in Madrid, Spain, and has been performing since the age of five on the trapeze, as a clown and as a tightrope walker. After joining AUSSIE nine years ago, he shifted his focus from tightrope walking to becoming a human cannonball.

“I’ve never looked back,” quipped the affable Spaniard.

“I love this act because it is so unique. Hardly any circuses have human cannonballs. I am one of only about four in the world.”

Smiling as he pointed out holes torn in his protective gear by the cannon, Daza said it relied on pressure to catapult him through the air at a speed of about 90km/h.

Surprisingly, his gear consists of little more than elbow guards, biker boots and a suit similar to those used in motocross.

“The cannon was designed specifically for me. One day my boss just showed me the cannon and said: ‘That’s your new act’.

“I looked at it and thought it would be fun so I agreed. Fortunately nothing has gone wrong, but I do all the maintenance and checks myself to ensure everything runs smoothly.”

An energetic Daza said he had spent about six years training for his first performance, stressing the immense impact each shot has on his body.

“I have to train daily for at least an hour and place most of my focus on my legs and lower back because I am standing on a platform which is dead-still one second and the next there is intense pressure propelling me through the air,” he said.

“My wife is not a big fan of it, but she supports me and so do my children,” Daza said.

“I can’t imagine doing a normal desk job. This is my life. I was born in the circus.

“I can’t just leave it . . . this is such an exciting lifestyle. I can’t see myself doing anything else.

“This is what my family has done for generations and I hope it will continue into the future as we have a rich history of performers.”

AUSSIE: The Australian Circus Spectacular will be presented on The Boardwalk’s Festival Lawns until March 6.

The opening night was postponed yesterday due to adverse weather conditions.

Ticket holders who were to attend last night’s show can bring their tickets to the circus marquee on the Festival Lawns tonight to exchange their tickets for another show.

Tickets are available through Computicket and prices start from R200 for adults and R150 for children under 14.