Ahead of El Nido tilt, elite divers inspire next generation

Fil-Australian cliff diver Xantheia Pennisi and Ukrainian cliff diver Oleksiy Prygorov train with the Philippine Diving Team as part of the media dayat the New CLark City Aquatic Center in Capas, Tarlac on April 1, 2025, ahead of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Championships 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

EL NIDO, Palawan -- Before they showcase their skills on the cliffs of El Nido, a pair of elite divers got a close-up look at the next generation of competitors who looked to learn some of their tricks.

Filipino-Australian cliff diver Xantheia Pennisi and Ukrainian cliff diver Oleksiy Prygorov are in town for the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, which opens on Friday in El Nido, Palawan.

But before they leap from heights of over 20-meters, Pennisi and Prygorov first conducted a skills camp of sorts at the New Clark City Aquatic Center earlier this month, where they taught a handful of members of the Philippine national diving team.

It was an experience to remember for the young Filipino divers, with Pennisi and Prygorov instructing them the proper technique in cliff diving -- wherein an athlete must hit the water feet-first.

"It's very encouraging when they come here and our local divers meet with them," said national team coach Marie Dimanche. "They get to share their experiences, and they give pointers to our national divers."

"So it's very nice to see that interaction."

READ: Fil-Aussie diver counts on home comforts in Red Bull competition

READ: Elite divers excited for El Nido return in cliff diving championship

Fil-Australian cliff diver Xantheia Pennisi and Ukrainian cliff diver Oleksiy Prygorov train with the Philippine Diving Team as part of the media dayat the New CLark City Aquatic Center in Capas, Tarlac on April 1, 2025, ahead of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Championships 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Dimanche is confident that diving is a sport that Filipinos can potentially excel at, noting that it is not "height reliant" and that at least one of our Southeast Asian neighbors have already won at an Olympic level.

"We've seen Malaysia win in the Olympics, and other Asian countries," said Dimanche. "So we're very hopeful. We know we can get there. We can get there."

To reach the elite level, as Pennisi and Prygorov have, the local divers will need "a lot of dedication and discipline" -- as well as support from stakeholders. Dimanche says they are backed by their national sports association and the Philippine Sports Commission, though she hopes that more local governments can also build facilities to help develop their athletes.

This is especially true for cliff diving, where the divers train on boards 20-meters or higher. The highest board in Clark is set at 10-meters.

"Since it is a high-skilled sport, we need the proper facilities," said Dimanche. "We also need a dry gym, aside from the pool platforms. So hopefully, if the local governments build the necessary diving facilities, then why not?"

"Definitely, there's a lot of talent out there," she stressed.