Acapulco's Cliff Divers Jump Into the Unknown Sylvain Estibal - Agence France-Presse
go to original August 30, 2015

Generations of Mexican cliff divers have made a living entertaining tourists visiting Acapulco. The tradition of 'La Quebrada' (The Ravine) dates back 80 years, when divers dared each other to jump from the resort city's 35-meter cliffs. (Werner Kruse)

Cliff divers in Acapulco say they never forget their first time: the leap into the void, the feeling of flying, the shock of hitting the water at high speed. Across the generations, whole families of divers have earned their living wowing tourists from around the world with the 35m plunge off La Quebrada, the rock face that looms above the Mexican resort city’s Pacific coast.

However, the seemingly fearless daredevils who keep this eight-decade tradition alive now face a new kind of risk: their livelihoods are under threat from a wave of violence sweeping Acapulco and scaring away tourists.

Nearly 500 people have been killed so far this year as drug cartels wage war in the city. The bloodshed has taken a toll on the tourism industry. A decade ago, 150 cruise ships per year visited Acapulco. Today, the number has fallen to about 10.

That is worrying for the 62 full-time cliff divers who make their living at La Quebrada.

Read the rest at The China Post

Related: Acapulco Goes from Vacation Paradise to Murder City (La Voz)

Photo: Agence France-Presse

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!