Carlos Gimeno stands out as a true pioneer in cliff diving. He made his debut in the Red Bull World Series in 2014, defying logic by leaping from 27 meters in a handstand. Through relentless work, unwavering sacrifice, and steel-hard mental resilience, he earned a championship at a world-tour event in Mostar, becoming the first permanent Spanish diver to join the circuit.
Looking down from 27 meters and choosing to jump into the unknown is an achievement only a few can claim. Gimeno’s journey to securing a permanent place in the Red Bull World Series for the upcoming season has been anything but easy for the Gran Canaria native, who now lives his dream. Earlier, pools taller than 10 meters were rare. Over the years, that has changed. Divers progressed from performing at 27 meters to pushing the limits, and when a diver reached the required level, invitations were extended to compete in these cliff diving events, Gimeno notes, reflecting on his 2014 start.
The sport has grown so much that junior championships now exist for men jumping from 15 meters and women from 10 meters.
Countries such as the United States, Canada, China and Austria host training facilities with suitable pools for these jumps. In Madrid, a 12-meter and a 15-meter platform exists, helping divers prepare for competitions by breaking jumps into two parts before combining them, Gimeno explains.
Preparation
The Gran Canaria diver emphasizes that athletes dedicated to this discipline cannot jump from 27 meters every day without risking their bodies. Training typically involves repeated jumps from lower heights such as 3, 7, 12, or 15 meters, with many repetitions. When a competition approaches, divers arrive a week early to finalize preparation, ensuring readiness for the event, Gimeno adds.
The demand is extreme and requires daily physical and mental conditioning. Precision is crucial in every jump and movement because landing perfectly in water is essential to securing a top position. Nervousness and fear before each jump are natural, given the high stakes involved.
Fear and focus
From Gimeno’s perspective, fear is a normal companion before a jump. Yet the sense of achievement comes once the routine is executed well, producing a surge of adrenaline and a happiness that is hard to describe after weeks of hard work paying off.
Behind every jump lies a regiment of training. Physically, Gimeno engages in numerous abdominal exercises and gym work, while mentally he focuses on aspiration and concentration. He reads extensively to sharpen focus, maintains an early morning routine, runs to stay active, and follows intermittent fasting for nutrition. All these elements support the goal of staying at the top of the sport.
During competition days, careful control and concentration are paramount in a sport where each jump carries real risk. Jumping from a height equivalent to a ninth-floor drop requires careful technique, and whether the platform is over water or not, a bad landing could be fatal. Nervousness is natural, yet a deep personal commitment and consistent preparation can transform that fear into a powerful drive and a sense of achievement when everything goes well.
On the rise to Mostar
Winning the Mostar World Series title proved to be a landmark moment, celebrated as one of the happiest days of Gimeno’s life. The victory was attributed in large part to the guidance of his coach, Ramón Fumadó. This win marked him as the first Spaniard to claim the title in this series, turning a lifelong dream into reality and establishing him as a permanent diver in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series after nine years of dedication.
Since his debut in 2014, Gimeno has managed to earn a living through his passion, relying on the iconic 27-meter handstand jump to fund his career without needing additional employment. The journey demonstrates a rare blend of talent, perseverance, and practical choices that sustain a career in a niche sport.
Control and concentration remain central to this sport where life and limb are on the line with every leap. Jumping from 27 meters is comparable to a fall from the ninth floor, and the outcome hinges on precise entry into the water. Nervousness is natural, but so is the exhilaration when the jump is performed flawlessly, a feeling that is difficult to describe but wonderfully real when the result delivers triumph.
Securing the first World Series title in Mostar brought immense personal satisfaction. The collaboration with the coach was pivotal in this achievement, turning Gimeno’s dream into a structured reality and confirming his status as a permanent diver in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.
From the outset, Gimeno has turned a passion into a sustainable career without the need for additional employment, a rarity in minority sports. His enduring legacy rests on the unique, iconic handstand jump from 27 meters and the relentless commitment that keeps him at the pinnacle of cliff diving.