How to Become an Acapulco Cliff Diver

The cliff divers of Acapulco have been drawing tourists since 1934. They are amazing athletes who dive from cliffs over 100 feet high into a narrow gorge. What is more amazing is that not only must they dive out from the cliffs before descending into a dive, but they must time their dives exactly with the wave action so they have the deepest water possible.

Instructions

1. Practice diving from a high board at a local pool. These may be available at universities or schools, the YMCA, or Boy and Girl Clubs. Work on your form until it is flawless. You need to be able to dive out far enough from the cliffs before beginning the dive.

2. Stay in good shape. Your training should consist of running, lifting weights, swimming,and even doing acrobatics on a trampoline.

3. Eat well. According to one of the cliff divers interviewed by Kevin Sullivan, the diver avoids red meat, and maintains a low-fat diet.

4. Work on diving from a greater height. Find cliffs near you to practice diving from. Find them by asking at sporting stores or online. Gradually increase your height by diving from higher and higher positions.

5. Dive from cliffs into the ocean and work on your timing. Cliff divers in Acapulco have to time their dives with the surf so they catch the deepest water. There is very little margin of error.

6. Travel to Acapulco and observe the cliff divers. Ask lots of questions.

7. Learn to watch the tide. The divers have to learn when the best time to dive. If they choose incorrectly, the water is too shallow and the divers risk death.

8. Start diving from one of the lower cliffs, and gradually work your way up to the higher ones. After time, you will be one of the cliff divers of Acapulco.