Why do cliffjumpers throw things at the water right before they hit it?

Question

Why do cliffjumpers throw things at the water right before they hit it?

In: 1

Answer 1

If the water is perfectly still, it can reflect the sky. Ripples make it easier to differentiate. Most high dives are in back or reverse position because that gives you more time to see the water and set up your entry. You’re flipping and looking for the water. That’s why there is a bubbler in competition diving wells. In high school, we’d have a buddy splash the water gently if we were doing a dive with a lot of twists and flips.