Rhiannan Iffland: The Unstoppable Force of Women’s Cliff Diving
In women’s cliff diving, one name stands synonymous with success: Rhiannan Iffland. The Australian diver has achieved legendary status in the high diving world since her Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series debut in 2016, when she arrived as a rookie in Texas and finished on the top step of the podium.
Iffland is more than just a decorated athlete—she’s a pioneer in her sport and an active ambassador, inspiring others with her skills, passion, and dedication. Having celebrated her historic seventh World Series title at the close of the 2023 season, Iffland is riding the peak of her career, seemingly unstoppable and rarely wavering on the platform, in the air, or upon entry into the water.
Rhiannan Iffland reacts after her dive from the 21-meter platform at the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina on September 8, 2023. © Predrag Vuckovic/Red Bull Content Pool
Building Foundations for Success
Despite her meteoric rise, Iffland’s success didn’t happen overnight. Her unparalleled achievements are built on decades of grueling training and developing self-confidence. Iffland began her elite trampolining career at nine years old and later transitioned into Olympic diving. She believes these disciplines have given her the perfect combination of skills needed for flawless cliff diving technique. Even her favorite hobby, surfing, has contributed to her success, giving her an intuition to read the water and conditions in coastal competition locations.
With 35 wins in 43 starts, Iffland seems fearless. But even as a self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, each dive is a conquest of fear and a masterclass in overcoming mental challenges. Diving from 21 meters at speeds up to 77 kph never gets any less nerve-wracking.
“My greatest challenge is jumping off that platform, every single time,” Iffland explains. “We take a really long break in the off-season, only training from 10m. The greatest challenge is relearning everything at the beginning of the season.”
When Fear is Real
During her cliff diving career, Iffland has completed adrenaline-inducing dives from bridges, balconies, skyscrapers, and even the mast of a historic vessel. One of her most surprising and challenging projects was diving from a hot air balloon. Another standout dive was from 120 meters underground in Romania’s Salina Turda, one of the world’s oldest salt mines. The water was 17 percent denser than seawater, adding to the dive’s complexity.
“The water was 17 percent more dense than seawater. We didn’t know what to expect, so it was probably one of the craziest dives I’ve ever done,” Iffland admits. “After finishing that project and doing that dive, I thought, ‘I’ve never been so scared in my life!’”
Rhiannan Iffland dives during the final competition day of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Polignano a Mare, Italy on July 2, 2023. © Romina Amato/Red Bull Content Pool
Connecting Body and Mind
“The higher you get and the more nervous you get, the harder it is. You’re simply trying to control what’s going on in your mind to make sure it all goes well. You have more adrenaline and there’s a lot more danger up there,” Iffland admits.
Her confidence and self-belief are a fusion of countless dedicated hours of training and the discipline of achieving mental clarity and focus. Despite a low point at the 2015 World Aquatics World Cup in Abu Dhabi, where she had a poor performance, an invitation to the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series offered her a second chance.
Iffland recalls feeling super nervous and emotional before the Texas event, but her father’s advice helped shape her approach. “Well, you can’t do any worse than last time… just show them what Aussies are made of and enjoy the moment,” he told her.
Finding the ‘On’ Switch
From that moment on, Iffland began mastering her emotions and mindset, finding her ‘on’ and ‘off’ switches. On competition day, she prepares her body with repetitions and builds up the courage to step up and give it her best shot. Calming breathing exercises and visualisation are key to her process.
“When competing, there’s a lot of visualisation – going through the dive in your mind and preparing the mind and body for what it’s about to do,” Iffland explains. “It’s always music blasting in my ears. I’m singing at the top of my lungs and really trying to get out a lot of emotions through that music and singing. When I step up on the platform, I do a lot of breathing. I find myself closing my eyes imagining my niece running down the beach in her tutu, taking me to my happy place.”
Rhiannan Iffland prepares to dive at the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina on September 7, 2023. © Romina Amato/Red Bull Content Pool
The Future of Rhiannan Iffland
At 32, Iffland is happy to keep testing boundaries and facing fear: “I’ll keep pushing myself as an athlete and as a diver as far as I can when it comes to competition. And to keep traveling the world, and seek out new amazing diving locations.”
Watch Rhiannan Iffland return to defend her King Kahekili trophy title when the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series kicks off for 2024 in Athens on May 24-26.
Anabelle Smith and Maddison Keeney secure Paris Olympics spot
Australian divers Anabelle Smith and Maddison Keeney have made history by becoming the first athletes from their country to secure spots for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The duo, known for their exceptional synchronised diving skills, will once again challenge for a podium finish in the 3-metre synchro event.
Smith, 31, and Keeney, 28, previously claimed bronze in the 3m synchro event at the 2016 Rio Olympics. However, Keeney missed the Tokyo Games in 2021 due to an injury setback. Undeterred by past challenges, the pair demonstrated their prowess by clinching gold at the recent Olympic test event in Paris. Moreover, their silver medal at the world championship earlier this year solidified their position for the upcoming Games.
Their successful partnership extends beyond the Olympics, as they also secured the Commonwealth 3m synchro title together two years ago in Birmingham. Despite living nearly 2,000km apart, with Smith based in Melbourne and Keeney in Brisbane, the pair has cultivated a fruitful collaboration over several years.
For Smith, the selection marks a remarkable achievement, placing her alongside Melissa Wu, Jenny Donnet, and Loudy Wiggins as the only Australian divers to compete at four Olympic Games. Reflecting on her journey, Smith expressed gratitude for the support she received during her recovery from a ruptured Achilles 18 months ago. She emphasized the significance of returning to competition and seeing her hard work pay off in the pool.
Keeney, equally thrilled by the selection, highlighted the relief of having their 3m synchro selection confirmed, allowing her to focus on preparing for the remaining Olympic trials and the Games themselves.
Their qualification sets the stage for an exciting journey towards the Paris Olympics, where Smith and Keeney aim to showcase their exceptional talent and pursue further success on the global stage.
Freshman Josiah Rosales-Cristales learned to dive via YouTube; now he’s City champion
The story of freshman diver Josiah Rosales-Cristales of Hawkins High will make you smile on any day.
He taught himself how to dive through videos on YouTube growing up in South Los Angeles. At age 4, he was so excited to try diving at the neighborhood pool that he didn’t tell the truth about his age.
“He lied about his age and told them he was older and that’s how they allowed him to use the spring board,” his mother, Sabrina, said.
On Wednesday at the City Section diving championships at Palisades High, no one knew who Rosales-Cristales was.
“Honestly, I never thought I’d win,” he said.
Except he did win.
The 14-year-old freshman accumulated a total of 278.80 points in 11 dives to outscore a trio of Palisades boys on the 1-meter board at Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center. One of three judges awarded him an 8 (of a possible 10 points) on his favorite dive, an inward pike, and he took the lead in round seven.
“I was very surprised to win, I was worried at first but as I did more dives I realized I had a chance at first or second,” he said. “I enjoy the rush of the waves towards my face as I go in the water.”
After placing fifth last year, Palisades senior Parker Connor sprung to the girls’ title with a cumulative score of 443.95, beating Granada Hills’ Ava San Jose by 17.75 points.
onnor’s highest score of the day was an 8.5 on a one-half flip with a front full twist that she purposely picked among her first dives. Connor not only won a medal but also earned 20 valuable points that will count toward Palisades’ team total at the City swim finals Saturday.
Connor drastically improved on last year’s effort (377.95) when Elle Crisostomo of Harbor Teacher Prep won with a score of 413.80.
This was only the first experience for Rosales-Cristales.
“Yes I want to come back and defend my title next year, absolutely!” he said.
Rosales-Cristales has hearing aids but doesn’t let anything stop him from succeeding. He played basketball, soccer and baseball before high school but thanks to YouTube, he keeps learning new dives.
“I’ll give it a try,” he had told his mother about joining the Hawkins swim team.
And now he can wear a medal around his neck to show off his City championship.
Learn more: https://www.adventurefilm.academy/
Tom Daley Secures Fifth Olympic Berth: A Dive into History
In the annals of British diving history, few names shine as brightly as that of Tom Daley. The 29-year-old athlete has captured the hearts of millions worldwide with his unparalleled talent, unwavering dedication, and remarkable journey in the sport. Now, as he prepares to make his fifth Olympic appearance at the Paris Games, Daley’s story continues to inspire a new generation of athletes and fans alike.
Daley’s path to Olympic glory has been nothing short of extraordinary. After clinching a gold medal at the last Olympics, he took a two-year hiatus from the sport, leaving fans and pundits alike speculating about his future. However, Daley’s passion for diving never waned, and his return to competitive diving last December marked the beginning of a new chapter in his illustrious career.
The announcement of Daley’s inclusion in Team GB’s diving team for the Paris Games came as no surprise to those familiar with his storied career. With four Olympic medals already to his name, including one gold and three bronze, Daley’s presence on the Olympic stage is synonymous with excellence and achievement. His decision to compete in the 10m synchronized platform event alongside his new partner, Noah Williams, adds another layer of excitement to his Olympic journey.
Williams, 23, who partnered with Daley to secure a silver medal at the World Championships in February, is full of praise for his teammate’s exceptional talent and unwavering commitment to the sport. “No one else in the world would take two years out and be as good as he is,” remarked Williams, highlighting Daley’s unparalleled work ethic and determination.
Daley’s return to competitive diving was driven by a deeply personal motivation – his son Robbie’s desire to see his father compete at the Olympics. This touching moment, which took place at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, served as a poignant reminder of the impact of Daley’s career on future generations.
Despite the challenges posed by his time away from the sport, Daley wasted no time in making his mark upon his return. Alongside Williams, he secured Great Britain’s spot in the 10m synchronized event at the Paris Games with a gold medal win at a World Cup event in Berlin in March. The success of the duo, despite their limited training opportunities together, is a testament to their exceptional talent and teamwork.
As Daley and Williams fine-tune their skills in preparation for the Games, they will embark on an intensive training session together in the United States, ensuring they are in peak condition for the Olympic stage. Reflecting on their partnership, Williams humorously quipped, “I think he’s got a guest bedroom. I am assuming he has, otherwise I have no idea where I am staying.”
Daley’s legacy in the sport extends far beyond his individual achievements. His influence and impact on the next generation of divers are immeasurable, inspiring countless individuals to pursue their dreams and strive for greatness. As he prepares to represent Great Britain at his fifth consecutive Olympics, Daley continues to embody the spirit of resilience, determination, and excellence that defines Olympic competition.
Joining Daley in representing Great Britain are a host of other talented divers, including world bronze medallists Lois Toulson and Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, as well as Jack Laugher and Anthony Harding, who will compete in the men’s 3m springboard event.
With anticipation building and excitement mounting, Daley and his fellow Team GB divers are poised to make waves at the Paris Olympics, showcasing their skill, determination, and unwavering pursuit of sporting greatness on the grandest stage of all. As they dive into history, they carry with them the hopes and dreams of a nation, eager to witness another chapter in the remarkable journey of Tom Daley.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/diving/articles/c6pylyyl13go.amp
