HighDiving

High diving is a sport in which athletes perform acrobatic dives from significantly greater heights than standard platform diving, typically from 20 to 27 meters above the water. The aim is to execute complex maneuvers with precision and enter the water with minimal splash and minimal risk of injury. The elevated platforms demand advanced aerial control, strength, and awareness of body position throughout the dive.

In official competitions, men often dive from 27 meters and women from 20 meters, though some events use alternative structures or heights. Divers perform a sequence of dives, each assigned a degree of difficulty. Judges assess execution, form, and entry, and the final score is calculated by combining the judges’ scores with the dive’s difficulty. The diver with the highest total score wins.

High diving is governed by World Aquatics, the international federation for aquatic sports. The sport gained international visibility through exhibitions and the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, which showcased high-height dives and dramatic presentation. It is distinct from standard Olympic diving and has not been included as an Olympic discipline as of recent editions.

Safety is a central concern in high diving. Venues require substantial water depth, trained safety personnel, on-site medical support, and rigorous training in takeoff, alignment, and entry to manage the higher impact forces associated with from-height entries.

Notable competitors include multiple-time champions such as Gary Hunt and Rhiannan Ibañez, who have helped raise the sport’s profile through international competition and exhibition events.