Monday, December 3, 2007

The Amazing Cliff Divers of Mazatlan, Mexico

If you've been following along for the past week, you'll know that I've just returned from a fantastic cruise to the Mexican Riviera. During our port in Mazatlan, we hired a driver to take us on a private tour of the city. I highly recommend this option, as you can customize your visit and spend time on things you want to do. One of the stops we made was to see the cliff divers. The photo above left shows the rock "cliff" that the divers use. Groups of tourists watch in awe as the young Mexican divers prepare to dive, as their friends work the crowd to collect money. A dollar or two from every onlooker satisfies them, and they give the signal to the diver on top of the rocks.The photos below give you an idea, but I've also added a video for some live action!
Above left: the divers use these stairs to ascend the top. Above right: this diver stretches to prepare for his dive, while his friends collect tips from tourists. Click the button below to watch the video:
Above: I took this video in Mazatlan, Mexico. The cliff divers are young men who jump off these rocks in what seems like a rather dangerous stunt, but they work for tips. Enjoy!
-Rick Rockhill
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11 comments:

  1. MonaDecember 2, 2007 at 11:47 PM

    The view is breathtaking!

    We have similar divers who do that in the river from high above a cliff and it is children , ten years of age who do that for tips!

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  2. Empress Bee (of the high sea)December 3, 2007 at 5:19 AM

    amazing rick!

    smiles, bee

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  3. limeDecember 3, 2007 at 7:33 AM

    yikes. i'd be scared crazy to try that.

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  4. UnknownDecember 3, 2007 at 10:42 AM

    I'm envious of your vacation, you look so dapper in your tux btw.
    You know I couldn't even watch someone do that diving.
    Next time you travel let me know...I collect souvenier spoons for my daughter,and have Santa deliver some each year....BUT I never get to go anywhere so I beg my lucky pals :)

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  5. Desert SongbirdDecember 3, 2007 at 10:49 AM

    Egads! I'm too skeered to look!

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  6. kelsDecember 3, 2007 at 12:05 PM

    i am not sure i would be into the diving part but it looks beautiful. i am leaving for a year trip through Mexico, Central and South America in 1.5 months and this just got me more excited!

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  7. StevenDecember 3, 2007 at 2:15 PM

    What a great photographic account of all the events, places and architecture you provided. It seems that the weather was cooperative on all fronts which makes the trip that much more enjoyable (and memorable). Glad to see you back "safe and sound!"

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  8. Tea N. CrumpetDecember 3, 2007 at 3:44 PM

    That is one bad way to have to earn a living. . .

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  9. Maggie MooDecember 3, 2007 at 4:45 PM

    That's actually very funny that they work for tips. But also, very cool.

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  10. blogloggerDecember 4, 2007 at 7:57 AM

    Hi.Season Greetings from Mazatlan. I just want to comment something about Mona's posting. Mona: One thing Rick didn't tell you is the fact that divers may not jump from a very high site but they must wait for the incoming wave to dive because the bottom is so shallow. Only 5 or 6 feet when high tide! You can see when these intrepids stand up on the rocks. Water is usually chest deep. That makes it extremely dangerous in my opinion.

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  11. Canadian flakeDecember 10, 2007 at 4:24 PM

    Holy cow I can't even imagine...the view alone is breathtaking...

    Hopefully the diver is careful...

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Thank you kindly.