Starting his diving journey at the age of five and progressing up the ranking to US National Champion in the 10m individual and synchronised events a decade and a half ago, Colturi found a higher sport calling while working a summer job at an amusement park, where he wowed crowds diving from a 20m tower. As they say, from here the rest is history.
We caught up with the California native from a boat on the Mediterranean Sea, immediately following Colturi’s fourth and final dive at the World Aquatics High Diving World Cup in Porto Flavia where the 36-year-old finished seventh.
We’ve got sun, sea and the top high divers competing – making for quite the setting for an interview! How are you feeling after that final dive?
I’m feeling great. It’s been a tough weekend with challenging conditions—big wind and waves, and everyone had to push through. The setup here, with all the ladders in the mine, was challenging, but to finish with two solid dives, I’m happy.
What is it about this setting that speaks to high divers?
Just look at the place—we’re on a boat in the Mediterranean, facing this incredible cliff and the Porto Flavia mine. The scaffolding and platforms make it a cliff diver’s paradise. The beauty of the location matches the challenge. Getting from the water back up to the cliff is tough, and the remote, natural environment adds to the difficulty.
Do you have a preference between diving from a structure or a natural setting?
It’s different every time, and that’s the beauty of cliff diving. The events range from urban locations to remote, natural landmarks. It’s nice to switch things up.
Is holding the event in a natural setting like this a positive development for World Aquatics and high diving?
Absolutely. World Aquatics has done a great job building impressive structures for previous championships and World Cups, but coming to remote places with a minimal setup and still putting on a great competition is good for the sport. We need more competitions and progress, and this is a step in the right direction.
Looking at the season, what was your favourite dive, and why?
That’s a tough one, but my favourite is the reverse twist. Doing it here in Porto Flavia, in front of the crowd, with the sun and waves, and my friends on the boats, made it really special.
What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself this season?
I started diving at five years old, and I’m 36 now with 15 years of high diving experience. Each year gets better. I’ve struggled with some injuries, but pushing through has tested my resilience and shown me what I can accomplish. More importantly, it’s about the bond with the other athletes and doing something spectacular together. It’s a special connection.
There seems to be a lot of camaraderie here, especially in Porto Flavia.
Definitely, people often ask what they’re missing behind the scenes. It’s the camaraderie between the athletes. We’re like brothers and sisters. It’s a challenging sport with real risks, and going through those emotions together creates a strong bond.
What’s next for you?
Next weekend, many of us are heading back onto the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. Two weekends in a row is tough on the body, so proper recovery is essential. We’ll do a few more events and aim to finish the year strong.
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