How to Cliff Dive

What could be more majestic and interesting than sailing through the air before gracefully landing in the water? You get to look awesome while gravity does all of the actual work. Here’s how to successfully turn a cliff into a diving board.

1. Grab a Friend

Cliff diving isn’t a solitary activity. Make sure you have someone with you who can pull off a water rescue if the situation calls for it. Better yet, make your first dives with a trained instructor.

2. Work Your Way Up

Confidence and experience can be huge helps when cliff diving, so before you tackle a towering rock face, put in some practice platform diving into a pool.

3. Lower Your Sights

When it comes to jumping off a cliff, bigger isn’t always better. Plunging from too high will make hitting the water just as dangerous as slamming into asphalt, so look for a cliff that’s less than 60 feet tall.

4. Go Deep!

Your landing spot is just as important as the cliff itself. Find a spot with at least 40 feet of water depth and no submerged hazards like rocks or trees. Ideally, the water will be calm and clear, which will enable you to time your entry more precisely. It’s also a good idea to make sure there’s an easy way to exit the water after you stick your landing.

5. Put Your Best Food Forward

Headfirst dives may be breathtaking, but they’re also much more likely to result in concussions or neck injuries. Hit the water feet first with your body as close to vertical as possible and your arms held tight against your sides. Slightly angle your toes toward the water.

6. Always Blow It

When you hit the water, keep your mouth closed and exhale through your nose; otherwise you’ll end up flushing your system with a bunch of unwanted water.
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Once you’ve dried off, celebrate your leap with a cold Dos Equis.