Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series is set to return to the Philippines on April 11 to 13, once again bringing the world’s best cliff divers to the breathtaking shores of El Nido, Palawan. This marks the Philippines’ second time hosting the opening stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, the first one being held in 2019.
Set against the towering limestone cliffs and crystal-clear waters of Palawan, the 2025 season opener of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series promises high-flying action, fearless performances from top global diving athletes, and the unparalleled natural beauty of El Nido as the backdrop.
Pushing limits
The competition brings together 24 of the world’s elite divers challenged to push the boundaries of human potential. The 12 divers joining the men’s category include Great Britain’s Aidan Heslop, Italy’s Andrea Barnaba, Spain’s Carlos Gimeno, Romania’s Constantin Popovici, USA’s James Lichtenstein, Ukraine’s Oleksiy Prygorov, and Mexico’s Sergio Guzman and Yolotl Martinez.
On the other hand, the 12 divers for the women’s category include Italy’s Elisa Cosetti, Netherlands’ Ginni van Katwijk, USA’s Kaylea Arnett and Meili Carpenter, Canada’s Molly Carlson and Simone Leathead, Ukraine’s Nelli Chukanivska, and Australia’s Rhiannan Iffland.
Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series sets itself apart from the Olympic dive by challenging participants to dive from a height of 27 meters for male divers and 21 meters for female divers. Meanwhile, Olympic divers jump from a stationary platform at a height of about 10 meters above water.
They hit speeds of about 85km/h before slicing into the waters below. These breathtaking descents demand exceptional precision, courage, and mental fortitude as athletes transform vertical drops into awe-inspiring displays of human capability.
El Nido’s dramatic cliffs provide the perfect stage for extreme sporting events while also presenting a formidable challenge. The combination of natural rock formations, shifting weather conditions, and open water creates an unpredictable environment that tests each diver’s skill and adaptability.
The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series will continue to traverse global locations, including cityscapes, famous landmarks, and remote natural places, further elevating the difficulty and spectacle of the competition. The Philippines marks the first stop for the world series, followed by Polignano A Mare in Italy on June 28 to 29; Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina on September 5 to 6; and Boston in the USA on September 19 to 20.
At the end of the season, the champions for the men’s and women’s categories will be awarded the highly coveted King Kahekili trophy.