Cliff Diving Sport and Its History

Cliff Diving is one of the most extraordinary and life-threatening sports.

Some sports are of a kind that most of us would never even consider. For example, cliff diving is not a very common sport, but it is practiced by adrenaline junkies. Sports are generally done for reasons like being fit and healthy, or losing weight. Just as it is difficult to incorporate exercise into a daily routine, it is also difficult to quit once it becomes a habit. When we think of sports, we often think of individual sports like walking, running, fitness, and swimming, as well as team games like basketball, football, and volleyball. Some sports are of a kind that most of us would never even consider. For example, cliff diving is not a very common sport, but it is practiced by adrenaline junkies. It first began in 1770 on Lanai in the Hawaiian Islands. In those years, King Kahekili ordered his soldiers to show their loyalty and courage to their country by diving from a high cliff into the water in a 'dive' (feet first), and to make as little splash as possible. After this event, diving from high cliffs became a tradition.

How Are Strict Safety Precautions Taken as Cliff Diving is a Dangerous Sport?

Men are required to dive from heights between 23-28 meters, and women between 18-23 meters. Considering that divers will hit the water at speeds between 75 and 100 kilometers per hour upon impact, participants are expected to be at an ideal weight to be able to dive. The acrobatic moves performed during the dive provide enjoyable moments for the spectators. The locations chosen for this sport are usually natural areas, places of magnificent beauty that offer a visual feast to people. Cliff divers adhere to strict safety regulations and then entrust themselves to the embrace of nature when it is their turn to dive. At that moment, all the spectators wish they were in the place of the diving athlete. Since 2009, Red Bull has been organizing this sport under the event name Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. This event, which attracts many athletes from around the world, also generates high interest from spectators. Recently, the Mexican leg of the Cliff Diving World Championship took place. In the competition, which featured the world's most famous diving athletes, the winner among men was Britain's Gary Hunt. The women's trophy went to American athlete Ravhelle Simpson. This sport, which must be performed after taking strict safety precautions due to its danger, is at a level that professional athletes can undertake. Although it is a sport that adrenaline enthusiasts may want to try, it seems that for now, most will have to watch from afar.