Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series Comes To Boston This Week

Author Jeff Gorra

June 3rd 12:44 PM

The Boston Seaport is a destination to seek great food, music, and fancy apartments. It’s also a place where you can watch professional divers jump from soaring heights into the harbor. This weekend, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series will come to town for two thrilling days of unique spectator activity.

“On June 8, Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series will again capture the hearts and minds of Bostonians, as the series touches down for its 100th stop in its history,” Red Bull said.

If you are unfamiliar, here is a snapshot of what this type of cliff diving is. Red Bull describes it as, “Free-falling from up to 27m combined with awe-inducing acrobatics.” The sport itself originated hundreds of years ago in Hawaii. King Kahekili, after whom the champion’s trophy is now named, was a Hawaiian chief who first leaped from the holy cliffs of Kaunolo in the 1700s. Today, each competition under Red Bull rules takes place over two days. Judges rate each diver. The winner is determined by who has the highest point total at the end.

Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series In Boston

There are some Boston date specifics to be aware of. The event is free but with a capacity limit. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot. There will be a giant jumbotron onsite for viewing. Furthermore, there will be live music, interviews, and additional entertainment during the competition. The Boston Harbor waterways are regulated during this time. Though there appear to be some viewpoints, boats are not allowed within the designated marina. Finally, Red Bull does provide drinks and snacks for purchase. The event is rain or shine unless there is thunder, lightning, or high winds.

On Friday, June 7, the practice round will take place, with the main event kicking off the next day. The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) will be the official site where 20 of the world’s best divers will compete.

This is the third year in a row Red Bull has selected Boston as a competition site. In fact, once again, it is also the only city in the United States that is part of this diving tour. Over Memorial Day weekend, the World Series began in Athens, Greece. Then, between now and November 10, the competition will go to Italy, Northern Ireland, Norway, Canada, and Turkey. It will then conclude in Sydney, Australia.

As for who will be diving in Boston, the female group includes two Americans. They are Ellie Smart and Meili Carpenter. James Lichtenstein is the only American male competing.

There will be 16 divers (8 female / 8 male) competing at each tour stop. In addition, wildcard divers will be selected to represent their country at each location as well. In total, 12 women and 12 men compete at every event. The women launch from a platform of 21 meters high, and the men from 27 meters. They are judged individually by a panel that looks for the creativity and acrobatics displayed in each dive. At the end of every season, a champion is awarded the “King Kahekili” trophy, as well as a winner’s prize fund.

Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.

Here Is The 2024 Official Boston Calling Custom Merch

Boston Calling 2024 is officially underway. The first bands of this three-day festival have taken the stage and there are already lines at the merchandise tents. Here is a look at some of the unique Boston Calling merch items for this year, available at the main purchase stands.

Each year over Memorial Day weekend, Boston Calling rocks the Harvard grounds. Like most festivals, they always design their own merch for the annual occasion. Their bulldog logo stands out. It has become a familiar face synonymous with this event. It’s then placed upon your typical concert merch stand items like hoodies, caps, posters, and t-shirts. However, Boston Calling does a great job of freshening up the bulldog. This has resulted in new popular designs for each year’s festival.

2024 is no exception. Although the standard red, blue, and gold colors have remained, new patterns have now entered the space.

The Lineup

Boston Calling headliners include Ed Sheeran (Friday), Tyler Childers (Saturday), and The Killers (Sunday) to close it out. Leon Bridges, Megan Thee Stallion, Hozier, Renee Rapp, Trey Anastasio, The Revivalists, and Young The Giant are among the other performers not to be missed.

Each of these artists has merch available on the festival grounds. It’s important to note, the headliners’ merch is available all weekend. Meaning that, although The Killers are playing Sunday, their shirts can be purchased today (while supplies last).

What Else Besides The Boston Calling Merch You Should Know

Are you worried about holding all this new gear for the duration of the day and night? Fear not; lockers are available to rent (while supplies last). There’s an official Boston Calling app and a QR code you can snap to give you a mobile map in the palm of your hand.

Lastly, the festival FAQ states, “Small clutch purses and fanny packs that are 6″ x 9″ or smaller do not need to be clear, but can have no more than one pocket. All other bags larger than 6″ x 9″ must be smaller than 12″ x 6″ x 12″ and clear.”

Let’s take a further look at some of the Boston Calling 2024 merch items you may be storing, sporting, or purchasing during the weekend.

Headliner Shirts

Again, these are available all weekend. Each of them seem to promote the given album or tour the artist is on. Hozier and the Killers seem to have the largest variety of items available. Tyler Childers has the best hat collection for sale, from truckers to rope hats.
The BC Hats + Harvard Represents

New this year, there are few options of custom Boston Calling hats. My preference in comfort is the green one that I am also wearing in the image at the top of this article. This year’s silkscreen poster contains the names of all the artist. There is one poster for sale. The Harvard basketball jersey is a nice addition to the lineup, sporting the #24. Perhaps its a nod the graduation that occurred here earlier in the week.
The Official T-Shirt And Water Bottle

The lineup 2024 t-shirt comes in an all black option or tie-dyed. Both are the same with the logo on the front and lineup on the back. There are two water bottles. One is yellow and the other is the signature festival colors of blue and red.
The 2024 Custom Shirt, Jackets, and Shorts

Have there ever been Boston Calling shorts? Well, they have them this year. While they’ve certain had sweatpants in the past I don’t recall the branded short flying out of the brown boxes as quickly as they are this year. Perhaps the beautiful 80-degree day has something to do wit that. As usual, there are also a nice array of custom 2024 festival t-shirts. The bomber jacket is a stylish dark green, and of course the dog head logo is everywhere.