EL NIDO, PALAWAN might become one of the ‘meccas’ for cliff diving from here on.
No less than Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series officials and the divers themselves see that possibility on the horizon after two successful staging of the gravity-defying event at the renowned Lagen Island, Small and Big Lagoons there over the weekend.
“It’s tough climbing up the rocks but when you’re up there (at the El Nido cliffs), it feels like a mecca of high diving,” said 10-time Red Bull champion and two-time world championship king Gary Hunt of France, who has been all over the world for top-tier diving spots.
“It’s been a long time coming for six years. And it’s in El Nido again. I’m so happy to be here. My heart is full of joy and love.”
Mr. Hunt, 40, topped the opening leg with a vintage performance in the final two rounds at the Big Lagoon, boasting the preserved limestone cliffs of Palawan with crystal clear waters below and the scenic sunset behind.
It was also Mr. Hunt who ruled in 2019 when the world series made its Philippine debut, alongside four-time world diving championships queen Rhiannan Iffland of Australia who scored a repeat win in El Nido as well to shore up her nine-peat drive.
While it took six years for the world series to come back to the renowned island, aspiring divers and Filipino fans could expect a staple leg here moving forward with even a possibility of it being an annual thing.
“It’s just beautiful. This is the type of location we like for cliff diving. It’s a lot of places but to find the right spot with perfect technical requirements, these are probably the best places for that,” said Red Bull Sports Director Orlando Duque, a world pioneer for cliff diving.
“This is one of those places you always want to go back to. We went to a few places but it’s always been in the back of our heads to return. The calendar is being worked on as we go through the season. It’s not a yes, it’s not a no but if they ask me, I’ll say ‘Let’s go back to El Nido.’ That will be my vote.”
And for Mr. Duque, the inaugural world series champion in 2009, the next time might be the finale with the King Kahekili trophy at stake.
“The finale will be great. Both times we’ve been here, it’s been opening seasons. The finale is always great. Deciding the title is always a good option so let’s work with the Filipino team and then see if we can make it,” he beamed.
For now, the world series will take a short break before the next stops in Polignano A Mare in Italy on June 28 to 29 and Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina on September 5 to 6.
Boston in the United States will host the finale on September 19 to 20 featuring a total of 24 world-class divers led by now season leaders Hunt and Iffland, who will be out to extend their reign. — John Bryan Ulanday
