The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, which is set to begin its eighth season this week, is an adrenaline-pumping high diving competition that takes place among some of the world's most breathtaking vistas. Starting June 3, both elite and up-and-coming athletes will perform gravity-defying dives and impressive tricks atop incredible spaces, including an opera house, a volcanic formation, and soaring cliffs. This year is set to be the largest yet, and will begin at Hell's Gate in Possum Kingdom Lake, Texas.
We spoke to top-ranked US men's diver David Colturi to learn the story behind what these divers face during these events, which often draw in thousands of spectators.
Keep scrolling to check out 12 photos that will keep you at the edge of your seat.
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The first stop this year will be in Hell's Gate, Texas, where observers will have to take boats, kayaks, or paddle boards to see the event. A large lake sits surrounded by beautiful mansions all around, and two large natural cliff formations are separated by a channel.
Past stops have included Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands off the coast of Ireland. "It is hands down the most terrifying and incredible location I have ever dove at," Colturi said of the blowhole he can be seen diving into here. Colturi told us the blowhole is referred to in Gaelic legend as "The Serpent's Lair" because of the hissing sound its large swells make when they crash against the rocks.
Pictured here is La Rochelle, France. The platform is set at the base of the Saint Nicolas Tower, which sits surrounded by a marina with a stadium-like setup. "You really feel like a rock star for a day when you're looking out over such a big crowd," Colturi said. More than 60,000 people showed up to see it.
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