{"id":256654,"date":"2017-05-18T13:49:33","date_gmt":"2017-05-18T20:49:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=256654"},"modified":"2017-05-18T13:49:33","modified_gmt":"2017-05-18T20:49:33","slug":"cliff-divers-train-at-famed-arch-of-cabo-san-lucas-in-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/cliff-divers-train-at-famed-arch-of-cabo-san-lucas-in-mexico\/","title":{"rendered":"[VIDEO] Cliff Divers Train at Famed Arch of Cabo San Lucas in Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"

A summit of a particular nature took place where the Gulf of California meets the Pacific Ocean: cliff divers Jonathan Paredes<\/strong> of Mexico and America\u2019s David Colturi<\/strong> dived at the famous Arch of Cabo San Lucas. With their aesthetic dives from up to 24m into the ocean, the athletes joined forces and flexed their muscles towards the 6-time champion Gary Hunt from England prior to the most unpredictable season in Red Bull Cliff Diving history. Ever since they qualified for the World Series in 2012, they\u2019ve been battling side by side and are aiming for the 2017 overall title under the most contrasting pre-conditions: one as 2016\u2019s runner-up and the other returning from a gnarly injury.<\/p>\n

In awe of the beauty of the natural rock formation also known as \u2018lands end\u2019, the 27-year-old \u2018style master\u2019 pulled off a series of immaculate dives and proved to be ready to better his personal best from the previous season. \u201cIt\u2019s my first time here in Cabo San Lucas. This place is amazing for cliff diving,\u201d says the runner-up from 2016, \u201cI\u2019m super happy to be back in Mexico.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Born and bred in Mexico City, Paredes lives and trains mainly in his wife\u2019s hometown Madrid, Spain, but returns to his roots on a regular basis to recharge and make use of the country\u2019s natural cliffs like the ones in Cabo San Lucas. With the 2017 World Series only 5 weeks away, the preparation for dives from up to 27m and impacts of 85km\/h is mostly about fine-tuning what has been worked on during the off-season. \u201cI tried a new dive a couple of weeks ago, which I\u2019ve been working on from 10m all winter and I\u2019m going to give my best this year for sure,\u201d explains the diving perfectionist, \u201dmy expectations are bigger than last year. I want to fight for the title again, against Gary. I\u2019m ready for the season.\u201d<\/p>\n

L.A. based Colturi on the other hand, spent most of his winter with rehab training after he had to withdraw from the World Series and undergo shoulder surgery last October. His comeback is planned right down to the last detail and does not leave room for doubts \u2013 the 28-year-old twist master is committed to step it up again. \u201cI really focused and changed my game plan. I was working smarter and harder in a lot of situations, trying to dial back the numbers but dial up the intensity and the focus on the mental aspects of it,\u201d states the 8-time podium finisher, \u201cI feel like this is going to be my biggest and best season and I need it coming off of a not so great 2016.\u201d<\/p>\n

For both athletes the cliff dives into crystal clear water from the graceful limestone arch emerging from a white sandy beach, a popular hangout for sea lions, served as a confidence booster. Colturi explains: \u201cIt\u2019s huge to get some experience cliff diving before the competitions actually start. Any chance you get to be up above the normal training heights of 10 and 12m is invaluable experience. To put yourself up that high and take the impacts from that height and trying to fly and control through the air is something that really gets you ready for the first competitions of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n

From Cabo San Lucas on the southern tip of the Baja California, the athletes travel to Inis M\u00f3r off Ireland\u2019s west coast. The mysterious blowhole of Serpent\u2019s Lair hosts the first of six competitions to define the new champions in the men\u2019s and the women\u2019s. This is where Paredes and Colturi will start chasing down the record winner Hunt.<\/p>\n

Watch the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series preview<\/strong>:<\/p>\n