Feature Destination: Cliff Diving at Polignano a Mare

Polignano a Mare is one of those places that feels almost mythic when you first see it. The town sits high on limestone cliffs overlooking the Adriatic in Puglia, its whitewashed houses and ancient streets tumbling toward the blue sea. Over time, it has become one of Italy’s most photographed coastal destinations, but Polignano is more than just pretty views. Each year, it transforms into a true arena of sport and spectacle when the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series comes to town. Since 2009, this stop has become the crown jewel of the series in Europe, synonymous with both breathtaking athleticism and a genuine festival atmosphere that pulls in visitors from all over the world.

This year marked the thirteenth time Polignano hosted the competition, with around 35,000 spectators crowding into the little town over the weekend of June 28 and 29. We happened to be there for my sister’s birthday, completely unaware when we booked, that the event would be taking place. At first she worried about the crowds and the chaos that might come with it. We even talked about planning to be out of town on competition days, or at least avoiding parking near the old town- but it was the opposite. The event transformed Polignano, yes, but not in a bad way. Every day we saw athletes wandering the streets like celebrities, smiling for photos and being cheered on by visitors. Red Bull’s setup in town included some tents with music and a few pop-up bars, but everything felt family-friendly. Local granparents were there with grandkids while a splatter of ages danced and sang with the music.

The real magic came on competition days. Polignano is made for this event, with natural amphitheater-like cliffs that let everyone have a view. Whether you were standing on the famous Roman bridge, down on the pebble beach surrounded by cliffs, or perched on rocky outcrops across from the dive platforms, you could see the action perfectly. And there was a lot to see. In 2025 the divers had to contend with what looked to me like insane wind and waves, adding drama to already nerve-wracking jumps. Men dove from 27 meters, women from 21, and the platforms included both built structures and private balconies cantilevered over the sea. Athletes hit the water at speeds over 85 kilometers per hour. Watching them hurl themselves off the cliffs was enough to turn my stomach for three seconds at a time. But the mood stayed welcoming and fun. There was no real crowd, and too be honest it was to hot to be pushing or sitting close to anyone. Instead there was cheering, laughter, and a shared sense of amazement.

The announcers were lively and multilingual, explaining the dives and keeping the crowd involved. Pro tip: divers can’t hear your applause when they’re underwater so everyone needs to wait till they surface before cheering, It was fascinating to hear about the athletes’ strategies, especially as the difficult conditions forced them to adapt. Spain’s Carlos Gimeno delivered one of the most commanding performances of his career, overcoming a slow first round and even diving from his hands twice despite the choppy conditions. His winning dive, an Armstand Back 4½ Somersaults Tuck, drew high marks even in the wind, earning him a second career victory and emotional praise from the judges. He called it one of the best moments of his life, saying he had worked for years to make it happen.

For the women, Australia’s Rhiannan Iffland once again showed why she is considered one of the greatest of all time, extending her astonishing record to 43 wins in 53 starts. Even with strong winds and choppy water, she stayed composed, acknowledging afterward that these conditions are never ideal but that dealing with what nature throws at you is part of the sport. Canada’s Simone Leathead delivered the best single dive of the women’s event, a forward 2 somersaults with a half twist that got big scores from the judges, but she ultimately fell just short of unseating the Australian champion. American wildcard Lisa Faulkner was perhaps the weekend’s biggest surprise, battling nerves to claim third and become the oldest female debutante ever to make the podium at 37 years old.

One moment that I really appreciated about the event came when we changed viewing spots and headed up to the area near the Domenico Modugno statue (for those unfamiliar, it sits quite high above the water on the northern edge of the main beach, offering panoramic views of the entire cove and the cliffs). I saw Red Bull had installed a special platform and railing so that wheelchair users could roll-up an unobstructed view. In a country built on cliffs with countless stairs and tight alleys, that kind of attention to accessibility is a big deal. I always appreciate when event organizers seamlessly understand that inclusivity matters- one thing I always appreciate about national parks in the United States, where accessible overlooks and trails invite everyone to participate. Seeing it here made the whole experience feel even more special.

If you are thinking about visiting Polignano a Mare, I would honestly recommend trying to time it for the Red Bull Cliff Diving competition if you want an unforgettable experience. It pays to plan ahead, of course, like any vacation. Polignano is well connected by train to Bari, making car-free travel easy, though many visitors do rent cars to explore the region’s other beaches, UNESCO sites, and other famous villages. We were especially worried about parking given the event, but even then, simply leaving the car a few blocks farther away worked fine. Despite the huge numbers, the town felt well organized, safe, and genuinely proud to host so many visitors.

Beyond the competition, Polignano a Mare is always worth seeing. Its natural beauty, delicious food, historic streets, and that slow southern rhythm make it the kind of place you want to linger. But seeing it during the cliff diving adds something unique: a shared celebration of courage, skill, and community. It is travel at its best, when you find yourself cheering shoulder to shoulder with strangers from all over the world, united by wonder at what humans can do when they push themselves to the edge.

OFFICIAL RESULTS FROM POLIGNANO A MARE 2025

MEN

• Carlos Gimeno (ESP) – 403.45 pts
• Gary Hunt (W) (FRA) – 365.30 pts
• Jonathan Paredes (W) (MEX) – 365.05 pts
• Andrea Barnaba (ITA) – 347.80 pts
• Constantin Popovici (ROU) – 341.60 pts

WOMEN

• Rhiannan Iffland (AUS) – 341.60 pts
• Simone Leathead (CAN) – 333.00 pts
• Lisa Faulkner (W) (USA) – 299.85 pts
• Elisa Cosetti (ITA) – 289.95 pts
• Nelli Chukanivska (UKR) – 285.25 pts

STANDINGS AFTER 2 OF 4 ROUNDS (2025 SEASON)

MEN

• Gary Hunt (W) (FRA) – 36 pts
• Carlos Gimeno (ESP) – 29 pts
• Jonathan Paredes (W) (MEX) – 29 pts
• Constantin Popovici (ROU) – 22 pts
• Oleksiy Prygorov (UKR) – 17 pts

WOMEN

• Rhiannan Iffland (AUS) – 41 pts
• Simone Leathead (CAN) – 24 pts
• Kaylea Arnett (USA) – 23 pts
• Nelli Chukanivska (UKR) – 21 pts
• Meili Carpenter (USA) – 13 pts
• Elisa Cosetti (ITA) – 13 pts

By Giacomo Abrusci, SEVENSEAS Media

Special shoutout to the divers, snorkelers, medical crew, security teams, and even the fearless photographers perched on the cliffs who kept the event running smoothly and everyone safe.