Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2012, Wadi Shab, Oman
Some people just have no fear, but I’m afraid I’m not one of them.
The finalists at the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2012 managed to stare down buckets of the stuff in the paltry 3 seconds it took to plummet from a platform perched high above a gorge in Wadi Shab, Oman recently: the fear of plunging to a watery grave, the fear of cocking up in front of thousands (both the British way and the way you were thinking), and that innermost fear harboured by most men – the fear of being seen in a Speedo.
Me? I was afraid I wouldn’t find parking.
Several thousand people made the 90 minute drive (45 if you’re Omani) from Muscat to confirm their fear of heights, and some (like me) of crowds in sweltering heat.
(*click on image to enlarge)
In the grand scheme of things though, my fears were minor. At least I wasn’t doing this…
Or this…
Or any of these…
If any of them had any fear, their faces never showed it. I think the safety divers situated nearby had the most trepidation – like the very real fear of a human carcass plummeting 90 kilometres an hour towards them.
But really, the only way to truly appreciate how fast these fellas plummet — and how fearless they really are — is with video.
Please excuse my amateurish attempt. I’m afraid, like these guys, it was the best I could do that day. But I’m always trying to do better.
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Oman 
Holy crap, these people are insane. The highest rock I’ve ever jumped off was about 12 metres up, and that was seriously terrifying stuff!
And here I have problems jumping out of bed.
Red Bull gives you wings? Hell no, it gives you balls. First these guys in Oman and then Felix Baumgartner in outer freakin’ space and his free fall from 120,000+ feet. There’s some serious insanity in that tiny little can.
I used to think alcohol was courage in a bottle, and all this time it’s been Red Bull.
I’m with you on the quease factor – good grief, that first pic is uber-chilling. I mean, that pool below looks sooooo bitty!
But surprisingly, the video makes it seems a tad more doable (albeit, most certainly not by ME!)
Great pics, and even more kudos on the video. Granted it was a mere 29 seconds (ah but a most perfect half-minute to illustrate the trio of dives), but… whatever you did in the processing – it loaded ever so much more swiftly/smoothly here (in Vietnam) than is usual – thanks!
Glad you liked the video! I realized after I took it that the setting was on the lowest quality possible — hence why it was so easy for you to load.
Hope you’re still lovin’ Vietnam!
Oh wow, that cliff looks….so unsafe! Hats off for those brave men. As someone who failed from doing a 10 m jump, I wonder how many guts it took for a man to jump from such height.
I think they have partial lobotomies to be capable of doing this.
Yikes. I did the 30ft + cliff dive at Rick’s in Jamaica and it was nutty. You can feel your body tilting back and forth as you’re falling, and you’re thinking at any moment you’ll tilt far enough back to hit the rocks. I can’t imagine 90ft – that is a LOT of time to think about your imminent death.
Though I was mostly thinking – what the hell is Rick’s insurance bill like?
Yikes indeed! You are a far better death-defier than I. I complain if I have to go 30 ft to get a photo.
Kinda makes Acapulco look like the kindergarten play ground, doesn’t it?
Haha — yes it does! Those amateurs!
whoaaa! I actually read about the competition on the Red Bull magazine. Your photos are even better than the ones I saw on the magazine! Haha. Awesome stuff. I wish I would have been there
- Maria Alexandra
It was sweltering hot, but it was just amazing to watch them. Glad you liked the photos!
Um… No.
Um…I agree.
This sounds awesome! And, I think it is official, Red Bull is going to take over the world of extreme sports.
It does seem like they’ve got that market cornered.
OK, my heart stopped after that first photo as I thought YOU were going to follow in their footsteps! DON’T scare me like that!
Haha — sorry about that. I’d be scared to even jump 1/10th of that height!
OH MY GOD. I would love to see something like this! THIS IS AWESOME.
Watching that video gave me stress, wow I cannot imagine being able to stand up there and not be afraid.
I was afraid enough for all of them.
I don’t think I could watch. Even just looking at the pictures, I’m nervous they’re going to hit those rocks on the way down!
I think that was at the forefront of a lot of people’s minds. Luckily, they only hit the water as planned.
These are some great pictures! I have to ask, what kind of camera and lens were you using?
Glad you like the pics! I have a Pentax K-x with a 1:4-5.6 50-200mm lens.
Although I truly dislike Red Bull, I *adore* watching cliff diving. I have seen some in Sardinia, also friends of mine who enjoy doing acrobatics I can’t even think of. Amazing. I’ll never do it though, I’ve only tried from very low heights
I’m with you Angela — I get butterflies in my stomach and kinda want to throw up when I look down from those heights. Wouldn’t want to be caught in THAT on the way down.
I started shaking just watching it. These guys have a few screws loose I think!
I think you may be right.
omg – TOO brave!
Or too nuts.
That’s a long way down! Must’ve been awesome!
It’s a pretty stellar backdrop for such an extreme sport.
both Wadi Shab and cliff diving’s awesome! my jaws just dropped! i am making sure we don’t miss a glimpse of this Wadi on our upcoming trip! thanks for sharing Raymond, visit Bahrain too!
Wadi Shab is stunningly beautiful! Pack some water for the hike to the pool — it’s hot in the midday sun!
Would love to get to Bahrain one day soon as well.
I LOVE jumping off things! This looks like such a fun event to watch… and maybe even to participate in? Love the crowds of spectators half submerged, trying to escape the heat.
That is pretty cool. Would love to see this event someday.
It was awesome to witness for sure. They have events several times a year throughout the world, so I’m sure you’ll get a chance sometime.
Wow, cliff diving is always impressive to me. My personal limit is 20ft. What these divers are doing is amazing!
Yeah it’s crazy how high they jump. I get nervous around the 10 feet mark.
OH. MY. GOD. This is utterly insane! And that must be some pretty deep water for them to not break their necks at the speed they’re going. Amazing photos by the way!
Thanks Reena — glad you like the pics!
Wow! Those pictures are amazing. Personally I am not going to try this though cliff diving is awesome.
Wow! I jumped off the curb once – felt lightheaded and a tiny bit woozy afterward. These people have cast iron cajones!
Really scary- they have a lot of guts!
28 meters high
Entering speed 85-90 kph
Physical forces 2-3G
No, thank you. I will be taking photos.
Great event!