Cliff Diving for Daredevils
We have seen this in various action movies. The leads being cornered and then left with no recourse. The hero giving in to save a life. Even a heroine’s “moment” in a particular movie saga became much-anticipated as she was expected to do this.
Indeed, cliff diving is one of the most popular – if not one of the scariest – sports in history. It is so extreme, even the bravest of men think twice about proving that they are, in fact, brave men.
What could be harder than jumping from a high – nay, very high – place, free-falling with no safety devices attached to the body at all, when one knows he could possibly land hard in deep water and get knocked out? Lucky for the jumper to come out of it at least alive, if not unscathed. And yet, this certain thrill, certain sense of danger, has made enthusiasts out of other men, sometimes of women. It has become so popular that cliff diving has earned its own right to be considered an actual competitive sport of somewhat the Olympic level.
And now, as the number of cliff divers continue to grow, so do the number of places that offer this particular extreme outdoor activity. The more avid cliff divers travel the world for that next great jump. Conquer these and they conquer the world.
The Philippines, for instance, is one of the countries that can offer the best diving sites, perfect for such a purpose. With its many bodies of water surrounding thousands of islands, cliffs to jump from are quite abundant, in varying heights. While the beautiful views could be such added attractions, it is not simply the view they seek but the thrill.
Jumping Back to History
Cliff diving is an activity that has opened its doors to women and to other men whom we have never thought would consider such an endeavor. The goal is to hit water from a high level feet first. It would seem like the easygoing slacker's kind of thrill fix, after all. In truth, it actually has an interesting history that dates back to a time when no one alive today was, well, already alive.
Its roots are found at Kaunolu, on the Hawaiian Island of Lana´i. “Back in 1770, Kahekili (1710 – 1794), the last independent king of Maui and chief of four islands, was famous for 'lele kawa,' which in English means: Leaping off high cliffs and entering the water feet first without a splash...In order to prove their courage and loyalty, Kahekili forced his nakoa (warriors) to follow his example, jumping of (sic) the leap into the Royal Waters at Kaunolu” (WHDF.com). A generation later, this evolved into a kind of competition which judgment lay on the diving style and amount of splash.
The tradition unfortunately died. Died, but not really forgotten, as we now have the modern version of 'lele kawa,' when men still prove their courage and, hopefully, skills by jumping off cliffs.
On March 9, 1968 on television, "Wide World of Sports" featured the International Cliff Diving Championship competition in Acapulco, Mexico. Suddenly, cliff diving was 'in.' Jump then to 1996, when the World High Diving Federation (WHDF) specifically concentrated on cliff and high diving. WHDF was formed to organize competitions and work with Olympic committees, promoting the sport, all for the love of it. It is recognized by the Swiss Olympic Committee (SOC) and is a member of International Sport Federations(ISF).
In August 2000, Kaunolu was again the center of competitive cliff diving, when the WHDF Cliff Diving World Championship took place. It was simply the better to hold it where it was first born.
Un-Defying Gravity
Cliff diving is one of the least complicated extreme sports for the simple reason that all one needs are himself and the clothes he’s wearing (men even go bare-chested at times). And then he is alone in the air, free-falling, following the Law of Gravity, and plunging, hopefully feet first, into the water below. It’s like jumping from tall buildings. What a rush! What speed!
A bonafide cliff diver is a high diving athlete with proper skills in place. Contrary to popular belief, a serious cliff diver does not only need courage and a strong enough physique to pull it off. As an athlete, he needs a strong technical education and years of experience in either diving or an acrobatic sport. That is part of his discipline.
As one poem said,
“Gravitation needs three seconds to let a human fall 26 meters,
to accelerate him up to nearly 100 kilometers per hour.
The descent turns a human into a formula-one-body,
in three seconds accelerating from zero to one hundred kilometers per hour and
from hundred to zero within only three or four meters of breaking distance.
Without belt, without helmet, without carbon cockpit, just with a swimsuit and teeth protection ...”
--Christian Eichler, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
August 1998 (translated in English)
Real cliff diving fanatics go a notch higher by trying to set up or break records. In fact, in 1998 during the Cliff Diving World Championship's opening ceremony, Frederic Weill, WHDF foundation member, dove from a helicopter to enter the Guinness Book of World Records. He did create a record as The Most Spectacular Dive – he did an arm-stand double somersault pike with split and head first entry into Lake Verbano, Italy from 86 ft / 26 meters.
While the location from which the diver came from was not a “cliff,” such undertaking was already considered as cliff diving. The term is not exclusive.
As Physics explains, the longer one falls through space (free fall), the faster he goes. Every second going down increases velocity.
Taking Risks
“Because of the high potential for injury, the World High Diving Federation recommends that no one dive from 20 meters (65.5 feet) or higher unless there are professional rescue scuba divers stationed in the water” (World High Diving Federation).
This is already for professionals who have trained
years. That is why athletes only dive a few times, too. Tired muscles
can lead to some accidents. Therefore, non-professionals are advised
to be extra careful. Cliff diving is not exactly safe. Needless to say,
many diving sites do not promote their cliff diving programs.
But in the Philippines, cliff diving is safe as long as one makes sure
he goes through the proper channels and gets help from professionals
who know what to do and teach, aside from knowing the diving areas through
and through. There are always things to consider. For instance, the
clarity of the water. This is important for one to make sure there are
no rocks or hard objects to hurt the diver when he hits water. Even
a fish can affect the dive.
Tips When Cliff Diving
Daredevils and Curious Georges may still want to try or continue with their cliff diving plans. If so, here are some tips to remember, for their safety:
• Start low and start slow.
Practice the pencil dive from high-dive platforms at a swimming pool
to make the body slim and straight. Jump feet first, keep the arms at
sides, feet pressed together and pointed downward.
• Get training. Cliff diving is not easy. Get
trainors who will explain everything, the do’s and don’ts,
give diving tips, the works.
• Don't dive alone. NEVER dive alone. This is
for the diver’s own safety. In fact, never dive alone without
professionals around. Never assume knowing everything.
• Familiarize self with the water area. Swim
around the landing area first to check the depth of the water and see
if there are potential dangers (like rocks, branches, etcetera).
• Find out where you will “go out.”
Find out where to get out after a fall so it will be easier to know
how to get back.
• Dress accordingly. A wetsuit, it is. It will
help cushion the fall. Wear nothing on your feet.
• Be straight. Leave the acrobatics to the professionals.
Accidents happen even to them. So just keep the body straight vertically
until hitting the water.
These said, one can now go and try his first cliff
diving experience. As mentioned before, the Philippines have diving
sites willing to share that great jump. All that is needed is to find
the right places and right people to help.
And now, it’s time to take the leap.
Sources:
www.whdf.com
www.diver.com.ph
www.redbull.com
