Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

From the cliff, you can jump into the lake or the ocean. What's more, it is an extreme sport for some people, as well as the tourist attraction of places like La Quebrada in Mexico, where famous divers jump every day.

Although this extreme sport does not require any equipment and can be fun and exciting, it is also very dangerous, so tour promoters do not include cliff jumping on their list of activities. If you don't know the proper instructions, your first jump may be your last.

This article will teach you everything you need to know if you do decide to take up this extreme sport. And as with any extreme sport, having a coach and pre-training is very important and advisable. The following instructions are provided for general educational purposes only and are by no means a substitute for proper training, knowledge and experience!

Steps

1. 1 Find a cliff with a significant amount of water underneath. The need for a certain depth is determined by the height of the cliff. For example, to jump from a height of 9-12 meters, the water below must have a depth of at least 4 meters and not have any external objects. If the tide is high, make sure that at low tide you still have the minimum depth you need. Explore the terrain you are about to jump from and follow the guidelines of the World Diving Federation. They contain very useful information on height and depth, which have been calculated to reduce the risks to the diver. Also ask boaters, professional divers who have jumped off the cliff, tourist staff, and others who have the necessary knowledge of the cliff and its suitability for diving. If you have already made successful jumps from it several times, this can be a good reassurance for you or a moment to stop if the information was opposite. See Tips for famous high-diving sites.
   • Check out the laws for each cliff. If this is a tourist Mecca like La Quebrada, you can be sure that no tourist will be allowed to jump here.And if it is a famous high-diving site, there may be warning signs or requirements that you need to be aware of. Ask around before doing anything.
   • Check out the access to the cliff. If you are barefoot jumping (see next step) then you may need to climb the rocky cliff barefoot, so you should check which paths experienced divers usually take.
2. 2 Dress appropriately. For cliff jumps less than 9 meters, you must wear a reliable and aerodynamic swimsuit. Do not wear a swimsuit made of fragile material and unnecessary design elements. The main thing is not to wear oversized swimwear. Remember: this equipment must remain on you when you enter the water!
   • For jumping from a height of more than 9 meters, it is better to wear soft fabric shorts, and tennis shoes on your feet.
   • It is not recommended to wear glasses, as they will fly off to the side when you enter the water.
   • Some people think a wetsuit is the best choice, as it provides shock absorption between your skin and water as you enter.
   • Also opt for contact lenses, especially if you manage to keep your eyes closed before you pop up.
3. 3 Beware of rocks. Find a pair of good goggles and a breathing tube for your team. Below, under the cliff, there should be at least two swimmers who will insure against possible danger. They will need to inspect the area for pitfalls, branches and other objects that can harm you when you enter the water. When snorkelling, find a spot that allows the jumpers to get out of the water and climb back up the cliff.
   • An example of such a danger is demonstrated in the uniqueness of La Quebrada. Jumping here can only be done at high tide and even then the diver must calculate so as to enter the water at the moment when the tide raises the water to its highest point in the bay! This precision is achieved through years of training and is not something that can be accomplished without preparation.
4. 4 Examine the cliff itself for obstacles. Are there any snags, protruding objects, or other obstructions that could ruin your fall or knock you off course? Be sure to avoid cliffs with similar problems, as they greatly increase the risk of failure. Another point that needs to be checked is the safe path to the shore, avoiding rocks and rip currents.
   • Beware of the wind. Everything may look great, but some of the details can cause problems with the wind, which will hit you against the rock. To do this, first consult with divers who have already jumped from this cliff.
   • Are there any animals nearby? Even hitting a fish can lead to injury, and hitting a dolphin, whale or seal even more. Avoid places that are teeming with fauna.
5. 5 Don't be fooled, high diving is a threat to your body. Jumping from a cliff is dangerous not only by the cliff itself and the water below it, but also by the speed of impact on the water. Jumping from a height of 6 meters above sea level will cause you to enter the water at a speed of 40 km / h, which can compress your spine, break bones or cause a concussion.
   • The World High Diving Federation advises that all jumps from a height of 20 meters or more should be done with professional scuba divers stationed in the water.
   • Before jumping off a cliff, ask yourself if you can dive at all? It is foolish to jump off a cliff without knowing the basic principles of safe and good diving technique and diving experience. Before jumping off the cliff, it is recommended to practice platform jumping at the local pool. Even these jumps should be supervised until you learn how to do them correctly. Jumping from any height is dangerous if you do not know how to do it correctly.
6. 6 Take the perfect jump! You need to push yourself off the cliff with your knees. Falling off a cliff can be dangerous as you can hit a rock on the way down.Jump farther to stay away from the rock and not get hurt.
   • Stand up straight, bring your legs together, raise your arms straight above your head and bend your knees.
   • Bring your arms down, then lift them up to your waist and swing them in front of you while moving forward.
   • Jump straight so that your body is exactly perpendicular to the water. While you are still perpendicular to the water, arch your back into an arc and gravity pulls you into an upright position.
   • While in the air, your body should be as straight as possible (like a pencil). When gravity pulls you into this position, place your hands behind your head and bend your right hand into a fist and cover it with your left (or vice versa).
   • Jump straight with your toes pointing towards the water at all times.
   • Enter the water vertically, perpendicular to its surface. Do not enter the water with your face, belly or booty, otherwise serious injury may result.
7. 7 Enter the water correctly. As you enter the water, stretch your arms and legs and arch your back. This way you don't dive too deep. Swim to the surface and then find an established spot where you climb up!
   • If viewers are watching you, wave them to let them know you're okay.
8. 8 End.

Tips

• High diving competitions are held all over the world every year. Go online and find the nearest competition and go to it as a spectator. You will learn a lot from watching divers, and if you are lucky enough to chat with a competitor, there are a couple of helpful tips.
• Watch an online video about high divers to see what it looks like. Hear what experienced high divers have to say about their activity and remember their advice.
• Famous high-diving sites include Dubrovnik in Croatia, Jamaica and Aveno in Switzerland.

Warnings

• If the area is too shallow, you could be seriously injured or even killed. Always check the depth carefully.
• Do not make unusual movements until you become a real professional. Taking turns or backflips can take you to your grave.
• Never go high diving alone. There should always be someone watching you from the cliff or waiting in the water.
• Jumping off a cliff is dangerous and can cause injury. If you are a beginner, all jumps should only be performed under expert supervision.
• Common high diving injuries include bruising, broken bones, concussions, sprains, compression of the spine, misaligned spinal discs, and paralysis. And, of course, death.

What do you need

• Appropriate equipment
• Suitable rock or cliff
• Experienced trainer
• Will (all legal and financial affairs of people involved in extreme sports should be in order)