Acapulco Cliff Diving

While the magic wax waned for most of Acapulco, the magic of Acapulco cliff diving still struggles to remain

Watching a high dive can be spectacular anywhere but in Acapulco it is short of impossible. That’s why after the magic wax had slowly faded away from Acapulco, the only shred of timeless magic that remained was the Acapulco cliff diving.

Acapulco had seen better years. But the now English speaking, hamburger eating Acapulco can no longer be rightfully called the “Golden Acapulco”. As once it was called during the time of Elvis, and when the place was as cool and hip as Havana.

Now all that remain of that glory days was the Acapulco cliff diving. They have been doing that since 1934 in the same majestically formed Quebrada Cliffs (which means “the break” or “the gorge”) that jut out over the Pacific Ocean. They still tempt and defy death. With acrobatics that could shame any diving Olympians, the cliff divers of Acapulco propel the air from the platform to clear away from the treacherous cliff face, and they always did -every time. Not only that. These dives are made on the fjords that are too shallow for such high dive; often the condition of the water is roughly 12 feet. That’s why a careful anticipation of the next big crest is done that should coincide with the diver hitting the waters.

The daredevil act was once a fisherman skill. It is a practice in freeing snagged lines by taking a high dive that should take them beneath the water as fast as the dive can accommodate. This would ensure they have plenty of time to do the things needed underwater.

These local fishermen possessed great skill in diving though it was rather unheard of. When the advent of tourism in 1930 made Acapulco a hot tourist destination, these fishermen realized that their mundane diving skill could as easily earn them money faster than any fishing would do.

The dives can be viewed off in the viewing balconies where you would be charged 20 pesos which is equivalent to 2 dollars (as of Thursday, August 3, 2006). One good spot is also at the Plaza Las Glorias in El Mirador Hotel. The La Perla Restaurant which is adjacent to El Mirador Hotel is also the best spot for viewing the Acapulco cliff diving. In fact, this restaurant was built primarily for that purpose.

If you ever wonder how divers left unscathed by the waters, they don’t -at least not directly. These dives over the years take its toll on the divers. Take a look, no one’s older than 30. It’s because the countless of dives do take their toll on the skeletal structure. Shorter spines, bent and twisted shoulders and punctured eardrums now represent the image of Jorge Monico Ramirez who made his jumps one too many.