The divers of Mexico – Acapulco have risky careers

Friday, July 19, 2019

The beach resort of Mexico – Acapulco is going through one of the most aggressive periods in the history of the region.

Yet for tourists, there’s one group of people who jeopardize their daily lives for decades.
CGTN’s Alasdair Baverstock reports.

Alejandro is getting all prepared for his exhibition, walking around the town
28-year-old Alejandro Rivera at the age of 11 years was dropped out of school. He never thought of learning a trade. In his family, there’s only one occupation. Come rain or shine, five times a day, he takes the 35-meter plunge from a sheer cliff face into the Pacific Ocean.
He’s one of clavadistas or cliff divers of Acapulco, a well-known tourist attraction in the town.

“It’s an adrenaline-fueled activity. Most people won’t feel adrenaline more than three or four times in a month, while we feel it five to seven times a day. It’s a feeling that puts you in the moment and alert,” said Alejandro Rivera an Acapulco cliff diver.

85 years back, the practice started when local fishermen took higher leaps of faith. Nowadays, it attracts more than thousands of visitors every year according to the Clavadistas association based in Acapulco.

“This activity involves a mortal risk. No-one’s ever died, but injuries are common. Things like detached retinas, ruptured eardrums, spinal cord injuries, lower back problems, we’ve seen broken arms, broken wrists and elbows, there’s a lot of risk,” said Jorge Ramirez of the Clavadistas Association Vice-President.

Alejandro Rivera explained that it’s a career that comes with danger. However, in the end the decision to pursue it is left up to the individual.

“When you get injured for the first time, that’s when you decide whether to make this your career. It’s your trial by fire, after which you’ll either try again to get better, or get scared by the thought of another injury, and give it up forever,” said Alejandro Rivera an Acapulco cliff diver.

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