Cliff Diving Competition Checklist: What to Arrange and When

A cliff diving competition needs more than a suitable jump site and registered divers. You must confirm water conditions, permits, rescue capacity, medical support, judging and crowd movement before publishing the event. Start with the venue and safety criteria, then build the competition programme around the number of confirmed participants. This checklist helps you work through the planning in the right order and catch details that are often left until the final week.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Reserve competition venue
Apply for permits
2 people
Request water quality report
Set weather and water criteria
2 people
Prepare a risk analysis
3 people
Develop safety plan
3 people
Write out emergency scenarios
3 people
Arrange medical support
Reserve lifeboat
Book the dive team
Assign judges
Book host
Book a photographer and videographer
Draw up participant rules
2 people
Publish registration form
Send invitations
2 people
Post promotion online
Process registrations
2 people
Confirm participants
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Set the starting order
2 people
Prepare jury forms
2 people
Set the audience route
2 people
Create parking and traffic plan
2 people
Confirm deliveries
Check stock
2 people
Do the shopping
2 people
Fill coolers
2 people
Set up match equipment
3 people
Check safety equipment
3 people
Inspect the water area
4 people
Inspect jump platform
3 people
Clear the evacuation route
3 people
Set up fences and barrier tape
4 people
Set up tents and tables
5 people
Place audience signs
2 people
Set up the sound system
3 people
Install lighting
3 people
Set up registration desk
2 people
Set up judges' table
2 people
Set up catering
3 people

Event

Register participants
3 people
Hand out race numbers
2 people
Give participant briefing
4 people
Give the jury briefing
2 people
Give the safety briefing
4 people
Admit the audience
4 people
Test music and microphone
2 people
Deliver the opening presentation
2 people
Guide qualifying rounds
8 people
Record scores
3 people
Monitor water safety
6 people
Guide participants to the start area
2 people
Serve drinks
3 people
Serve snacks
3 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Empty trash bins
2 people
Announce finalists
2 people
Guide the final round
8 people
Provide the break program
2 people
Check final scores
3 people
Handle prize ceremony
4 people
See the audience out
4 people
Collect participant materials
2 people

Aftercare

Dismantle the sound system
3 people
Turn off lights
2 people
Take down tents and furniture
5 people
Remove the barriers
4 people
Clean sports equipment
3 people
Wash dishes
2 people
Empty and clean coolers
2 people
Collect waste
4 people
Clean the venue
5 people
Collect lost and found items
2 people
Remove permit signs
2 people
Return equipment
3 people
Return rescue equipment
2 people
Check invoices and deposit
Thank participants
Publish results
Archive photos and videos
2 people

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Sports equipment

Bib numbersqty 40
Competition bibsqty 40
Scoreboardsqty 6
Jury formsqty 250
Water depth meter
Measuring tapeqty 2
Life ringsqty 8
Throw linesqty 8
Rescue boardsqty 2
Dive masksqty 6
Snorkelsqty 6
Wetsuitsqty 8
Life jacketsqty 12
Water-resistant walkie-talkiesqty 10
Whistlesqty 12
Waterproof flashlightsqty 8
Spare swim gogglesqty 6
Towelsqty 40

Safety

First aid kitsqty 3
AED
Neck bracesqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 20
Eye wash bottlesqty 4
Safety helmetsqty 10
Safety vestsqty 20
Crowd control barriersqty 30
Barrier tapeqty 8
Traffic conesqty 20
Warning signsqty 12

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 40
Judges' table
Registration desk
Flagpolesqty 6

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 150
Reusable platesqty 120
Reusable cutleryqty 150

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Hot traysqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving tongsqty 6
Serving bowlsqty 6

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speaker standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 8
String lightsqty 6
Cable traysqty 12

Communication

Program boardsqty 6
Directional signsqty 12
Two-way radio chargersqty 4

Decorations

Competition flagsqty 12
Bannersqty 6
Tableclothsqty 10

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Waste binsqty 4
Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Hand broomsqty 4

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Set your water-depth, weather and visibility criteria before registration opens. Put the decision deadline in writing so participants know when the competition may be postponed or cancelled.
Do not treat rescue equipment as a last-minute delivery. Check that the lifeboat, rescue boards, life rings, throw lines and water-resistant radios are available, tested and positioned before the first dive.
Write emergency scenarios for at least a serious injury, a missing diver and a sudden weather change. Assign named people to alert emergency services, stop the competition and guide spectators away from the water.
Close participant administration before setting the starting order. Confirm every diver, collect dietary requirements, issue bib numbers and prepare enough jury forms before the event briefing.
Plan the audience route and traffic flow separately from the competition area. Place barriers, warning signs and traffic cones early, and confirm deliveries so tents and safety equipment do not block rescue access.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I apply for a cliff diving competition permit?: Start the permit process as soon as the venue is shortlisted, preferably several months before the planned competition. Keep the event date provisional until the permit, water-quality information and safety requirements are confirmed.
How many medical and rescue staff are needed for a cliff diving competition?: The number depends on the venue, field of divers and local rules, so confirm it through your risk analysis and safety plan. Arrange medical support, a rescue team and a lifeboat before registration closes, not during the final week.
When should participants receive the starting order?: Set the starting order after registrations are processed and participants are confirmed. Send it with the rules and briefing information several days before the competition, then keep one printed copy at the judges’ area.
What safety equipment should be ready on competition day?: Have rescue and first-aid equipment in place before the first briefing, including life rings, throw lines, rescue boards, radios, first aid kits and an AED. Check emergency access, warning signs and crowd barriers during the final site inspection.

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