Synchroballistic images of the insanely dangerous cliff diving championships in Rotterdam, hosted by Red Bull. The international group of divers jump from a platform 26 meters above Leuvehaven harbour, performing twists and somersaults before hitting the water (hopefully) feet first. 26 meters is the maximum height from which a diver can expect the hit the water without sustaining an injury, and even then the exact posture of the diver is critical. Apparently even in a good landing it still hurts.
It was this point that I chose to focus on, the water/air threshold, and the most crucial part of the dive. At a height of 26 meters, the diver tenses every muscle for the bone crunching impact at a speed of about 23 meters per second (51 miles per hour!). By aiming the camera just above the water surface, I could get the diver passing the camera just before impact, and then the up-splash as he becomes enveloped in water.