The All-American
American Kent De Mond is without doubt one of the best athletes of his generation and is now beginning to fulfil his potential.
After a somewhat slow start to the Red Bull Cliff World Series 2009, he came close to the top spots – especially when he notched a brilliant fourth-placed finish in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Prior to the final stop of the World Series in Athens, Greece, fourth place at the High Diving World Cup in 2008 was the best result of De Mond’s career but, with an impressive final performance at the home of Olympic competition, he was able to achieve a third-placed finish and claim eighth overall.
Now in his seventh season of cliff diving – Kent began in the summer of 2004 at a show in Indiana – De Mond chose the sport after a long career of classic pool diving. The change from the 10m board to the 28m platform is rarely straightforward, and Kent's debut wasn’t without its problems, but the American’s persistence helped him overcome all obstacles.
The sensation of flying is the feeling that most entices Kent. Finding new places to dive satisfies his search for adventure and it is not only a hobby of his but also a form of training.
Training usually takes place at the pool, with Kent preferring to practice on the 10m board. By being invited regularly to shows he is able to keep in the habit of high diving while also improving his cliff diving technique.
