© Getty Images

Portugal - Mat Cowen of the UK takes to the sky as he dives from the cliff face at Islet Vila Franca do Campo, in the Azores.

© Getty Images

Switzerland - A flotsam of inflatable watercraft surround Lysanne Richard of Canada as she heads towards the water at Sisikon.

© Getty Images

Mexico - The rocks at the Arch of Cabo San Lucas offer a wonderfully natural setting for David Colturi of the USA and other sports divers gathered at Cabo San Lucas.

© Getty Images

United Arab Emirates - Gary Hunt of the UK prepares to leap off the platform on the Dubai Marina Pier 7 building.

© Getty Images

Japan - Australia's Helena Merten caught in graceful poise as she dives from the platform at Shirahama. 

© Getty Images

Chile - Helena Merten of Australia hurtles towards her destination—the crystal blue waters of Lago Ranco, tucked away in the country's Los Ríos region.

© Getty Images

France - Orlando Duque of Colombia blends into the background as he dives from the platform on the Saint Nicolas Tower in La Rochelle.

© Getty Images

Italy - He could almost be floating on water, but Gary Hunt of the UK has just dived off the platform at Polignano a Mare on his way to meet the Adriatic Sea.

© Getty Images

Thailand - The UK's Blake Aldridge dives from a rock at Viking Caves on Phi Phi Island in the Andaman Sea. 

© Getty Images

Wales - Artem Silchenko of Russia arrows down from the platform to meet the Blue Lagoon in Pembrokeshire. 

© Getty Images

Spain - Appearing almost as a piece of abstract art, Orlando Duque of Colombia dives from Bilbao's La Salves Bridge next to the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum.

© Getty Images

USA - Michal Navratil of the Czech Republic prepares to launch an armstand dive from the platform on Devil's Island in Possum Kingdom Lake, Texas.

© Getty Images

Bosnia and Herzegovina - Yana Nestsiarava of Belarus back-flips from the platform off Stari Most, the rebuilt old bridge in Mostar.

© Getty Images

Switzerland - Watched from below by a fleet of spectators in colorful dinghies, Matthias Appenzeller of Switzerland barrels himself off the platform at Sisikon, on the shores of Lake Lucerne.

© Getty Images

Denmark - Using a platform constructed for the occasion on the Copenhagen Opera House, Michal Navratil of the Czech Republic prepares to dive framed by a historic urban environment.

© Getty Images

USA - Perfect timing has caught Gary Hunt of the UK framed between Boston skyscrapers as he flips towards the water in Massachusetts.

© Reuters

Ireland - Michal Navratil of the Czech Republic adopts an open position as he begins his dive from the platform at the Serpent's Lair, on Inis Mor in the Aran Islands.

© Getty Images

United Arab Emirates - This stunning image could work as contemporary artwork, as Alessandro De Rose of Italy is captured against the Dubai Marina Pier 7 building in Dubai.

© Getty Images

Portugal - Jessica Macaulay of the UK becomes part of the scenery during her dive at Islet Vila Franco do Campo on São Miguel Island in the Azores. 

© Getty Images

Chile - Sergio Guzman of Mexico looks like a tiny flying insect as he plunges into Lago Ranco, in the country's Los Ríos region.

© Getty Images

Bosnia and Herzegovina - This amazing perspective appears to show Rhiannan Iffland of Australia tumbling off the waterfall at Una National Park. 

© Getty Images

Italy - Similarly, this photograph appears to show Jonathan Paredes of Mexico heading for the yachts moored in the sea at Polignano a Mare. Of course, his spot-on dive will end safely in the water.

© Getty Images

Mexico - Yucatan's impressive Ik Kil cenote provides an impressive venue for competitors like Jonathan Paredes, who is a native of Mexico. 

© Getty Images

Wales - Gary Hunt of the UK "drops in" on the Blue Lagoon in Pembrokeshire. 

© Getty Images

Switzerland - Armstanding tall, Michal Navratil of the Czech Republic prepares to dive into Lake Lucerne at Sisikon. 

© Getty Images

Ireland - Spectators line the cliff top at the Serpent's Lair on Inis Mor, in the Aran Islands, as Blake Aldridge of the UK is caught mid-air.

© Getty Images

United Arab Emirates - Glitzy Dubai is the location, and Andy Jones of the USA, taking off from the platform on the Dubai Marina Pier 7 building, is the focus of attention.

© Getty Images

Portugal - The Islet Vila Franca do Campo off São Miguel island in the Azores provides a dramatic backdrop for US competitor David Colturi's dive. 

© Getty Images

Bosnia and Herzegovina - Stari Most, Mostar's rebuilt landmark bridge, provides an historic platform for divers like Adriana Jimenez of Mexico. 

© Getty Images

Thailand - An ocean-bound Artem Silchenko of Russia, competing at Phi Phi Island. 

© Getty Images

Mexico - US diver Ginger Huber arches out from the platform above Ik Kil cenote, in Yucatan. 

© Getty Images

Italy - Frozen in mid air as he twists away from the platform, David Colturi of the USA is seen here at Polignano a Mare, on the southern Adriatic coast. 

© Getty Images

Japan -

Artem Silchenko of Russia sails over the cliffs at Shirahama.

See also: The most hazardous leisure pursuits in the world. 

© Getty Images