By: Adriana Sofía Tellechea Cadena*
Cliff Diving is a Tradition of Acapulco
One of the best-known tourist attractions in the port of Acapulco is “La Quebrada”, a cliff that measures approximately 35 meters (115 feet) high, where some brave divers risk their lives to follow the tradition, generation after generation.
Every day, brave men risk their lives by jumping from “La Quebrada”, astonishing both tourists and locals with their magnificent and valiant acrobatics. From the cliff, they jump into a channel at high tide that is 4 meters deep (13 feet). They are surrounded by dangerous rocks so the divers have to wait until the tide rises to achieve their dazzling feat.
Source: http://etermagazine.com/travel/los-valientes-la-quebrada/
“Before Acapulco was a popular tourist destination, people who lived near the cliff and the canal, went fishing, swimming, diving and began to throw themselves into the sea. With time the calvados (divers) became popular and in 1934 the Quebrada was formed like a spectacular. During the decade of the forties, divers began to compete and established schedules to make the dives entertainment for tourists.” (“Los Valientes De La Quebrada” By Mariana Terán 10 agosto, 2017)
“La Quebrada” is Significant in the Popular Culture of Mexico
“La Quebrada” holds a very significant place in the popular culture of Mexico and it has been recognized worldwide by national and international celebrities as well as Elvis Presley, Cantinflas, Tin Tan, Frank Sinatra, and Ofelia Median among other great stars.
Currently, the divers offer five shows daily, even at night. There is the High Diver World Championship, which is still held and attracts divers and tourists from around the world capturing approximately 11 million visitors. Due to the number of visitors and because it is a tradition where young people and adults share their knowledge, “La Quebrada” is iconic in the port of Acapulco.
It is Part of the Cultural and Tourist Heritage of Acapulco
The government of the state of Guerrero recognizes this show as part of the cultural and tourist heritage of the town. We value and honor the courage of these men, who are part of our national pride, for their achievements and because every day they come out with strength and determination to show us that for a few moments, human beings can break fear, connect respectfully with the sea, emerge victorious from danger, and face our mortality.
References:http://etermagazine.com/travel/los-valientes-la-quebrada/
Editor’s Note: Adriana Sofía Tellechea Cadena is a graduating senior at Instituto Lizardi in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico. She aspires to be a make-up artist and wedding planner. This article is part of her class project for an English writing class taught by the editor of this publication. Congratulations, Adriana!
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