The 43-year-old Colombian is an experienced circus performer, having previously been a highwire walker, a flying trapeze artist, a clown and more recently, one of the star attractions at Weber Brothers Circus, firing himself out of a cannon.
He has no plans to retire just yet.
Having said that, he is always aware, despite his young age, that his next shot could be his last, especially when you are flying through the air for up to 30m.
Any injury could be a career-ender, he said.
‘‘It’s extremely dangerous.
‘‘Don’t try this at home, kids.
‘‘There’s so many skills needed.’’
To be a human cannonball, took a great deal of strength — particularly in the legs — and agility, so he did a daily routine of exercises to help prevent injury, he said.
But it was important to remember that he and all other circus performers did everything in a controlled way, to ensure their safety.
While he had been firing himself out of a cannon for 11 years, he said the lifespan of a human cannonball had a highly variable range.
‘‘It all depends on how you look after yourself and how you do all the proper exercise and stuff.’’
He said the Guinness world record for the oldest human cannonball was American stunt performer Brian Miser, who retired at age 60.
‘‘I'm only 43.
‘‘I'm not too sure how long I can go. I can't guarantee.’’
Mr Dazazarta said he was introduced to the cannon stunt soon after he arrived in New Zealand to join the Weber Brothers Circus.
Owner Harry Weber wanted to add the cannon to the show and asked him specifically to be the human cannonball.
‘‘I was like, ‘what?’’’
While most people would be a little more prudent about taking on the role, Mr Dazazarta leapt at the opportunity, because it was natural for circus performers to want to do something more extreme and dangerous.
Despite being on tour for 48 weeks of the year, he said the past 11 years had just flown by.
‘‘Every single show is fun for me.
‘‘Being shot out of a cannon — I’m flying.
‘‘I’m a human that can fly like a bird.
‘‘I love the screaming and cheering of the crowd.’’
Mr Dazazarta’s act is one of many on display at the Weber Brothers Circus, which runs at the Oval in Dunedin until June 14.
