Cliff Diving
Here’s what cliff diving looks like from the water
Check out this photographer’s stunning view of Red Bull Cliff Diving like you've never seen before.
Hitting the heights in La Rochelle
© Alex Voyer
It's already one of the most visually stunning sports out there, but a new series from French photographer, Alex Voyer, shows Red Bull Cliff Divingfrom an all-new breathtaking perspective.
At La Rochelle in France last month, Voyer waterproofed both himself and his equipment to take a special vantage point from below the divers. As you can see, the results are worth the effort.
Red Bull Cliff Diving at La Rochelle, France
© Alex Voyer
Men and women dive from 27m and 21m, respectively
© Alex Voyer
Red Bull Cliff Diving at La Rochelle in France
© Alex Voyer
Lensman Alex Voyer gets up close to the athletes
© Alex Voyer
For a photographer, water can be your best friend or your worst enemy: you must train a long time with her to make it your best friend.
Voyer is a long-distance swimmer and freediving instructor who spends "a lot of hours" every week in the water. "I love sports and high-level athletes,” he says. “Having a proximity with them in the water in a great chance, and I am there at the best place to admire them.”
The French photographer gets a buzz from being so close to the action. "The highlight for me was the first landing I heard close to me last year at Polignano a Mare, in Italy," he says. "You can't imagine the sound of the impact of someone landing from 27 metres right next to you. It's absolutely incredible."
Voyer is constantly battling the elements, but Mother Nature did him a favour when he was taking these shots. "It's exactly as I said before: I must manage with unpredictable conditions, and they must be my friends,” he explains. “The water was at about half-a-metre visibility at La Rochelle harbour, I couldn’t see anything underwater, but the kind ocean helped me capture what turned out to be my favourite photo – the one with the sea-grass on the lens. "
Seagrass enhances Alex's cliff diving photo
© Alex Voyer
Rhiannan Iffland of Australia can make it a first ever hat-trick of wins for a wildcard in Polignano a Mare, Italy, when the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series returns to its European roots on Sunday. Meanwhile, reigning champion Gary Hunt, from the UK, is targeting a remarkable fourth consecutive victory from the 27m platform. The male and female athletes dive 27m and 21m, respectively.
In a place where Hunt has registered a perfect score of ten on five occasions, the World Series record holder who has 28 wins out of 54 competitions will be hard to beat. Hunt's closest rivals are Mexico’s Jonathan Paredes and the surprise rising star from the USA, Andy Jones, who are currently second and third respectively in the overall standings before the midway stop in Italy.
A huge crowd is expected to pack this iconic location, where the platform has been built from the homeowner's private rooftop terrace.
Click below to see how divers access the platform via a living room
1 min
Red Bull Cliff Diving: Polignano a Mare trailer
2016 World Series reaches midway point at Italy's stunning Adriatic cliffs. It is all set for an exc
Watch live coverage of the fifth stop of Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2016 on August 28 at www.redbullcliffdiving.com and Red Bull TV.