Seynes immersion for Gary Hunt, the extreme diver

Jumps of less than three seconds, from a platform to terrifying heights, at 85 km/h, with only impeccable technical development as protection: this is the daily life of Gary Hunt, professional high diver. With a wave of titles under his belt, the forty-year-old international athlete, originally from Britain and adopted by Montreuil (Seine-Saint-Denis), passing through the region, talks about his career.

"My connection with France comes from meeting my French wife Sabine Rabinet ," he says. "I started doing diving shows in France in 2009, that's where we met. She was the presenter of the show. Her mother, who passed away a few weeks ago, lived here in La Seyne. We spent holidays here, and I discovered the beaches and towns of the South. I love the small streets of La Seyne, the Sablettes beach and its restaurants. I also like the Sainte-Asile district and its pine forest in Saint-Mandrier, which I discovered later."

Most successful athlete in the history of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series

Ten-time Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series (1) world champion Gary Hunt, who entered the world of high diving at the age of 24, looks back on this extraordinary career.

"It's always difficult to stay at this level for a long time. I was lucky to enter this discipline at a time when it was becoming more popular. I was one of the first divers in the 10-meter competition to go straight to the 27-meter category (equivalent to 9 stories). So I was able to innovate and invent diving figures that didn't exist. I've been training with the French team since 2013, after representing Great Britain for six years, then in 2018 I had dual nationality. Then there were the 2024 Olympics, where I represented France."

With numerous "World Firsts" to his credit, including the first-ever triple quadruple cliff dive, a first competitive take-off, and a dive with a perfect score of 10/10, Gary Hunt is making history in the sport with his competitive performances. At nearly 41 years old, the international athlete is continuing his season.

His next step? "The World Championships, with jumps at 3 and 10 meters (same format as for the Olympics), at the end of July in Singapore. Right after, I'll have the second stage of the Red Bull with the 27 meters." What are the differences between these jumps? "The 10 meters is more a question of physique, the athletes are generally younger, you have to be sharp. You have to be able to do your somersaults in very little space. Whereas the 27 meters is more about the mental aspect, you have to have the courage to throw yourself into the void from such a height, in principle the athletes are older. It's difficult to say which I prefer, I like diving through the head with the 10 meters. But I appreciate even more the natural environment where the 27 meters events take place, feet first. It's also a format where I am more independent and creative."

This season, Gary Hunt is competing in four Red Bull competitions: a World Championship and another in Sardinia. Six dates on the calendar for the Franco-British athlete wearing French colors, who is already considering a future career change.

A future reconversion?

"I'm currently training at the Insep in Montreuil and at the Olympic Aquatics Center. I recently led a diving course; I like the idea of ​​passing on my knowledge. A new high-level diving club will soon open at the new Olympic swimming pool; with my Olympic synchronized partner, Loïs Szymczak, we will help train future 27-meter athletes. It would be a shame not to pass on everything I've learned."

Even though deep down, Gary also harbors the desire to turn to performing alongside his actress wife, where theater and juggling are combined, in which he also secretly excels.

1. Annual high diving competition that takes place in 7 different stages around the world in which competitors must perform 4 different dives.