What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Acapulco? Perhaps these crazy cliff divers?
For nearly 100 years, divers have been flying off the cliffs at La Quebrada – extreme sport performers long before that was a common term. At first, it was boys playing. Then, in 1934, the manager of the nearby El Mirador Hotel turned them into a full-fledged attraction. La Quebrada Cliff Divers have been stars ever since. And several times a day, they dive head first off the dangerously jagged cliffs, into the narrow cove.
Notice the little temple on the platform? That’s a shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe, an important part of the divers’ ritual. Next comes timing. It’s vital not to land in the shallows, so dives are carefully coordinated with the waves as they crash in. The horizontal distance have to be at least 10 metres away from the cliff face to avoid hitting the rocks below. Lots to keep in mind during the few seconds you’re falling at 130 km/h.
At night, they dive with flaming petrol torches, we’re told. Must be even more hold-your-breath spectacular.
Adventure travel is not merely for boys, neither is adventure sports. I ask whether there are any girl divers. Indeed there are. Iris Selene Alvarez, grand-daughter of one of the original divers, jumped off the cliff for the first time at age 12, the youngest person ever, according to Guinness World Records.
Ready, set, go:
Waiting to meet the fans and rake in a few pesos after:
Great shots! I think I’d be terrified to even watch – I’d be so worried about something going wrong!
Yes, I know what you mean. It was a very impressive performance, but a little scary as well.
With a son practising deep water soloing, where you climb cliffs like that and fall down, I’m sure I wouldn’t like to watch. When will young people ever learn to collect stamps?
Ouch! I’ve been lucky in that respect. The most extreme my oldest daughter has done is zorbing, a gentle pursuit in comparison. My youngest, however, is showing signs of more adventurous interests. We shall see.
Oh my, I guess that is called really extreme sports. I wouldn’t do that for all the money in the world.
On another note, great pics! You really were able to emphasize how extreme their dive is.
Neither would I, not for love or money.
And thanks 🙂
Hi Sophie, Great post, we loved seeing the cliff divers, actually went a few times while we were in Acapulco. I did something fun with the photos that really shows how amazing these guys (and girls) are. I put together composite photos of some dives compiling 12+ images of a dive in one frame, like a stop action image of both day and night dives – http://trans-americas.com/blog/2011/01/cliff-divers-acapulco/
Eric, I remember your post and those excellent photo composites. Very cool with the night dive composites, too.
They cliff dive here at Rick’s Cafe in Negril. Amazing, is all I can say. All that planning, all that coordinating. As I was reading, I thought of the Birdmen — those extreme sports enthusiasts who fly wearing special suits. Some people are just born for that.
Wing suit jumping is very popular here in Norway. I’m torn, horrified and impressed. I think you’re right; some seem to be born with that crazy gene. Just so happy my children aren’t among them 🙂
Oh my God! It’s heart pounding scene here! But hey! I like how you captured the divers. It’s amazing!
Thanks, Isabella.
Beautifully done, Sophie. And it looks so impossible for them to get the curve to take them out beyond the rock! thanks!
Thanks Vera. Yes, I have no idea how they can plan (and execute) that. But then I’m not much of a diver – even if it’s just into a pool… too scared for my head.
Great shots! That is an amazing sequence of pictures. And scary! Especially since the rocks actually come out and not go back as you go further down. I’d never do that! Fun to look at though 🙂
I couldn’t either. Not in a million years!
Ah, they had some cliff divers in Cinque Terre too and as much as I loved watching them, it made my stomach turn as if something were going to happen! It is so impressive though and I know I could never psych myself up to do it!
Ooh, didn’t know they cliff dived in Italy. Something to look out for next time.
Great photos you have posted here! Mexico is definitely a great place to have a vacation together with the whole family…
Thanks. My children enjoyed Mexico 🙂
Great photos! This cliff dive looks a little risky to me. I don’t think I’d even be able to watch.
Thanks, Nichole.
This is a really cool series of photos of those dare-devils against that deep blue sea.
Robert – long time… Thanks 🙂
Ack! That gives me shivers just looking at it!
I know! I was tempted to close my eyes several times. Then I decided to take photos instead. Gives a certain distance to it all seeing it through a camera lens…
Wow. That’s unbelievably brave. Love the way you’ve captured it!
Thanks, Andrea 🙂
I think I’d be too scared to even watch!
A sight not easily forgotten…
I like to think of myself as pretty adventurous, but I would never try that! Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it let alone looking at the photos! They are great photos though, Sophie – you’ve captured it really well.
Thanks, Cherina 🙂
This looks TERRIFYING. I would be so worried about breaking my neck, but clearly these teens (and kids!) who do it have become quite skilled. Still… wow.
Wow, indeed!
This is insane, but I’d love to watch. It sounds especially incredible at night with the falming torches.
A bit like a scary film, where you don’t know whether to look – or look away.
What great series of photos, such bravado! I love the vibrancy of the colour as well!
Thanks, I got lucky. Think the ocean must have been especially gorgeous that day.
Holy Cow!! Do they have little, itsy, bitsy ones to just jump off of?
Crazy, aren’t they?
Wow! He’s got some style! Kinda scary though.
Oh no no no, that would not be the sport for me. Way too scary. I don’t even think I could watch.
Wow, great photos. Interesting tradition. I’m just a bit nervous how young all the divers are! I dont know if I would be brave enough to do it, but maybe if i started when i was really young and had no fear I might…
WOW. I don’t think I could EVER do this.
Hi Sophie! Mexico is really a great place to visit. I like how you captured the divers. Thanks for sharing this to us.
I started typing and then realized Diana said EXACTLY what I was going to say!
Jessica, Sonja, Anwar, Diana, Theriz and Stephanie – thanks for stopping by 🙂
Wicked, We’re going there at the end of the month I’m definitely going to check this out. Great photos.
These are some really cool pics!
Thanks 🙂
This is so intense! I love it so much and I wish I could see them in action some day. And the clearness of the water is just mesmerizing. If I can’t jump off the cliff into the water I at least want to swim in it!
It really was the most intensely blue sea.
Do you have to be apart of the group too jump? I want to jump , would I be able to?
I think the area belongs to a nearby hotel, and if so, I imagine they might stop you from diving. But I don’t really know. I suggest you contact Hotel Mirador and ask.