24 of the top cliff-diving athletes in the world are competing in St. Pete this weekend.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series officially kicked off its St. Petersburg stop Friday, bringing 24 elite athletes from around the world to compete above Tampa Bay. It’s the first time the international event has ever been held in Florida and the only stop in the United States this season.
The platform rises 70 feet above the water for women and 90 feet for men — roughly the height of a seven- to nine-story building. Divers reach speeds of more than 50 miles per hour before entering the bay.
For many fans, seeing it in person was a completely different experience than watching on television.
“I’ve seen it on TV,” spectator Jake Gogfried said. “But never came out to see this.”
Thousands lined the waterfront Friday, filling viewing areas along the pier and nearby shoreline. Some arrived by boat and personal watercraft, while others searched for the perfect spot on land to watch the action unfold.
The event quickly drew reactions ranging from amazement to disbelief.
“I thought it was really cool, and that it was really scary, and that I would never be able to do that,” spectator Olivia Duncan said.
Asked if she could make the jump herself, Duncan laughed.
“I feel like if I tried to do that, I would get up there and be like, ‘No,’ and then just climb back down.”
Even thrill-seekers admitted the athletes operate on another level.
“I’ve skydived and stuff like that,” Gogfried said. “But I don’t think I could do anywhere near the tricks that they do.”
Divers say those reactions are exactly what make the event special. Athlete Kaylea Arnett said seeing the competition in person gives spectators a much better sense of just how high the platform really is.
“I like to hope that it’s shocking for people, because when you see it on TV, it doesn’t have quite the impact,” she said. “Of course, videos never do it justice.”
The St. Petersburg event is the second of six stops on this year’s World Series circuit, which began in Bali and will continue across Europe and the Middle East.
Competition resumes Saturday with the final rounds. Gates open at 10 a.m., and diving is scheduled to begin shortly after 1 p.m. Public viewing areas remain free to attend.