Cliff Diving World Series: Dizzy heights in Pembrokeshire
- Published
Cliff diving is considered to be one of the purest extreme sports on earth. Over the next two days, 10 of the world's best and up to four wildcards will launch themselves off a platform, 27m (89ft) up the side of the Blue Lagoon near Abereiddy in Pembrokshire.
The Blue Lagoon in Pembrokeshire is the sixth stop on the Cliff Diving World Series and is the only UK location this year following on from last year's successful two-day event.
Up to 2,500 spectators are expected watch the event this year along with media from around the world.
Friday saw the divers perform their first-round dives, with the subsequent ranking determining the head-to-head for Saturday, with the athletes advancing to the eight-man final.
England's Matt Cowen was in action during the first day of the event
Steve Lobue, from the USA, won this particular leg of the series in 2012 and still looks to be a contender in 2013.
Reigning World Series champion Gary Hunt was disappointed to come third in Wales a year ago and is looking forward to his home event as he bids to extend his leadership of the 2013 rankings.
Cliff diving was born in Hawaii. The chief of the Hawaiian island of Maui, King Kahekili, jumped off a lava rock into the sea in the late 1700s and used this as an initiation rite for his warriors.
'Mana' and 'Pono' power and balance are the key Hawaiian principles still upheld today and are prerequisites for the sport.