What do you think the Cliff Jumpers are really like???

These guys that make the really high jumps fascinate me with their combo of incredible athletic skills and daring risk-taking. I've never gotten a chance to meet them -- except for maybe tossing a 10 into the jar every reach or so -- but I bet they'd be interesting to get to know.

Do they get injured? How long can they do it, because it seems the faces change often at Rick's? Do they ever get nervous or scared? Do they make a LOT more money than everyone else to make it worth it? Do they have a warrior mentality? Do they have groupies? Do they have a health plan????

Any thoughts on the Cliff Jumpers and what they must be like?

I have spent time chatting with Tigger, Spider, Damian, and Omar over the past 5 years and they are great at what they do. I can't answer the groupie / health plan / warrior mentality questions but i do know that injuries, sometimes serious ones occur.

I know Rick's is a tourist trap, but i still manage to get up there and chill a few days every trip because its nice to catch up with my friends and see how their kids have grown.

Go up any day, early in the afternoon, well before sunset and get to know the guys. They are more free to chat with people when there aren't that many tourists there.
They are really great guys!

The divers only get whatever people put into their box. They are not paid in any other way. So, in answer to your question, no they do not get more than you think. I don't believe they have health plans.

I know one of the divers since he was a young teen. He's the sweetest and most real guy - humble. AND a terrific athlete. That's something they all have in common, they are in great shape.

What they do is a huge risk. I've heard lots of tourists complain about dropping that $10 or $20 bill in their jar but like SLP said - these guys live off that money and the health plan thing just made me lol. And like Ochi girl said, just go up to them and talk with them at a time that they are not busy. I know how nice and kind and friendly my friend is - and I'm sure his colleagues are the same.

When I first moved to Jamaica I lived in the same neighborhood with most of them. Some of them I'm still friends with, even some who have now moved away. They work for tips, no insurance, they DO get injured (especially if they hit the water wrong), but suck it up for the most part from what I've seen. I would say they have groupies, girl groupies LOL. :)

I only go up to Rick's middle of the afternoon as I do not enjoy the tourist crowd. Naturally traveling solo I attract some attention and I tend to fare for the drama of the risk taking jumps myself not so much awe at what others are doing. Over the two years I have went there probably 40 days, I have jumped probably 80 or so times, I made friends with several divers and their families and most when I first walk in the gates now come up the ladder or yell my name from the LTU side and tell me to come over their. I then learn new tricks and have developed a good enough relationship that they now allow/ escort me up to the tree platform and let me jump and have taught me how to do many dives or we do combo jumps and such and combo swings from the rope swing.
As far as who they are and injuries:
I have a story of my own that helped me make my own conclusions. Last October when I was there just after Tropical Storm Nicole which had destroyed most of Ricks outdoor facilities and trees and jump spots, it was a little windy like maybe 3 days after the storm not much jumping happening. I talked Omar and Spidey into letting me go from the tree, three of the trees had gotten ripped out and all their platforms were gone. We had a thin plywood board about 1 foot by 4 foot stretched across some tree limbs. Your crazy your crazy yadda yadda they said. Shark went up and checked the wind and asked how you sure? Well ofcourse I was as i get this invincible thing about myself when in Jamaica.
So up the tree, branch by branch scraping my fluffy body parts all up on the tree. I get to the top and think there's no turning back now cause it hurt to climb this tree and i not going back down it. The boys all start yelling. I pencil jump as wind is not good ,and I'll be damned if I don't hit the water and get body slammed into the cliffside by the huge waves and rough waters. I drag myself over the portion of the cliffside under the LTU divers side where there is the hole u can see the lighthouse and you can lift out of the water onto the sharp rocks. I don't want to seem like a girl you see so I plan on hiding here until the tears stop. I look up and see what looked like a rain downpour of boys jumping all at the same time. 5 count that 5 boys came to me knowing my name wanting to help me back out and get me walking and trying to wipe the blood from what I now call my homemade Jamaican tattoos on my legs and sides. When I pushed them away and decline any assistance 3 of them sit there with me for over an hour continuing to ask if I am Ok, trying to wipe the blood offering to use their shorts or get cloths and wanting to get me help. All the while i sit casually chatting and they grow their thoughts of my mania. ( Ok so this did end in major infection but to shey)
I have visited and jumped many times since with the same guys and communicate via facebook and text and cellphone when in the states. I have never had one be rude or try to hustle or gigolo. When they light up by me they blow it to the other side or ask if i mind if they do smoke before getting involved. Most no longer ask me to smoke and when someone new asks me to they answer for me that i don't smoke or they tell people to move away from me that are blowing it at me. When they leave me sitting to go jump for tips they apologize first.
These are very upstanding and as usual Jamaican style caring guys. Most have other jobs and jump as a side job. None are employed by Rick's they are all voluntary and self employed more less. Rick's insurance does not cover them in case of injury nor does LTU it is purely at there own risk. Many have had multiple serious injuries and continue.
Jumping at Ricks' is what brought me to Negril and cliff jumping is what continues to take me there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkvOD137CKY

Shelly, that sounds like quite a scene. I would have tipped you big time!

Shelly thank you so much for sharing your story here. I really enjoyed reading it.

Loved watching that OMG that's my Burger King. That kid never seems to stop amazing me. THAT is why I come to Negril.
Oh and Gerry Thanks for having my back LOL. But you no I nah cheap!!! LOL

thanks for sharing that story shellyk

one night i was at alfred's and one of the divers was there
i told him i wasn't trying to get with him
but that i wanted to feel his muscles
he smiled at this old lady and said i could feel his muscles
well TSA doesn't have anything on me
i felt that bwoy up to the point his hersey brown face was blushing
i said thanks - and went on my way
lawd that's a memory of a lifetime
he was a hunk of muscle

I never called him that, but Ricardo always seems to know when I am there, espeacially when my daughter is with me.

Great story ShellyK... @ SeveenLOL- You are too funny Lady!

I got to know one of the divers last summer at the Negril Gym. After my a.m. run I go to the gym to the upstairs area to do sit ups on the slant board & then do pilates & yoga. The same time I started my summer stay, my diver friend joined the gym. It turns out he'd taken yoga classes in the past so he began to join me most mornings during my long stay. He'd follow me along in my routine & when I left, I wrote down a routine for him to follow. Super nice guy in his late 30's. He's been diving at Rick's since he was 22. He specializes in fancy dives and does not do tree diving. No $$$ or insurance from Rick's, for sure. He sticks to fancy diving vs. height diving to help minimize injury.

Loved watching that Ricardo video poolguy.. he still goes by BurgerKing, or burger.
Those guys jumping off the other cliff are equally amazing to watch, and actually a whole lot more fun to hang out with.

Great story Shellyk

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