Sandro Dias Turns Urban Legend Into Reality With Record-Breaking Red Bull Building Drop
Brazilian skateboarding icon Sandro Dias has etched his name into history, breaking two Guinness World Records after dropping in from the 22-storey Centro Administrativo Fernando Ferrari building in Porto Alegre.
As part of the Red Bull Building Drop project, Dias descended from a height of 70 meters with a 60-meter vertical drop, reaching a top speed of 103 km/h—setting new records for both the tallest skateboard drop-in and the fastest speed on a skateboard.
“This is a dream of more than 13 years that we’ve just achieved now, pushing the limits,” said the 50-year-old Red Bull athlete. “The most important message I want to share is never give up on your dreams.”
From Meme to Reality
For years, the CAFF building’s quarterpipe-like architecture had fueled skateboarding lore, surfacing in memes, fingerboard recreations, and even a viral spoof video 16 years ago. Dias, in collaboration with Prada Linea Rossa, finally turned that urban legend into reality—skating down what the community once called the “Ultimate Skate Ramp.”
Precision, Power, and Preparation
The feat took ten months of preparation, from G-force and speed training to safety drills with airbags. Dias practiced with a 40 kg vest on a modified mega ramp and hit 136 km/h during speed tests on airport tarmacs. In Porto Alegre, he worked his way up, first conquering drop-ins from 55, 60, and 65 meters, before stepping onto the ultimate 70-meter platform. Each descent was a first-try success, capped by a final run he had never attempted in training.
Pushing Limits at 50
Turning 50 this year hasn’t slowed Dias—if anything, it’s amplified his legacy. Beyond the records, he framed the accomplishment as a gift to skateboarding itself:
“I always said this was something to benefit skateboarding as a whole. This was a big achievement, and the visibility we got ends up helping everyone. It’s not about seeking fame—it’s about pushing the limits and creating opportunities for people.”
