Legendary Cliff Diver, Kyle Rushfall, lives his life on the edge.

12 Aug

In episode 3 of The Social Flyer we meet up with Kyle Rushfall, a Hawaiian man who has been cliff diving in Oahu since he was 14 years old.

Tell us about yourself in a few sentences, what is your story?

I grew up near Queen’s Bath, which is in the town of Princeville in Kauai County. It is a tide pool surrounded by solidified lava which is where I learned some cliff jumping skills. Years later and Queen’s Bath is still my favourite place to dive.

How long have you been cliff diving, and what advice do you have for it?

I have been diving for over twenty years, I started aged 14. My best advice would be to get out of your head and just relax before you take your first leap.

How do you judge if a cliff is safe to dive off?

It depends if there is enough forward momentum to jump without hitting any rocks and the water is deep enough for a safe landing.

“It all starts with taking a leap of faith.”

What is your favourite thing to do in Oahu?

I really enjoy walking to Spitting Caves from China Walls which are two infamous cliff diving spots, it is a half-mile hike from one to the other, and the scenery is breathtaking. As you hike up the mountain you can often see turtles and monk seals below, you even occasionally see whales off the shore in the winter months.

What is your most memorable dive?

There was a dive that when I found myself in the water, I looked over and spotted not just a golden monk seal but a manta ray and a turtle as well, it was a very special and rare experience to be swimming alongside all three of those incredible species.

Cliff diving has a dangerous association with it. How do you practice diving in a safe way?

Frist, make sure you are a confident swimmer, build up slowly, don’t take risks and make sure you take your time. It is not a sport you rush into, it is also important you ask for guidance from locals or more experienced divers before you take your first run up.