Iffland’s ‘go get ’em’ approach puts her in rare air: Rodriguez

Joel Rodriguez, New South Wales Institute of Sport’s Assistant (NSWIS) Diving Coach, said he hoped Rhiannan Iffland’s latest cliff-diving victory would reinforce to diving’s Generation Next the importance of possessing her traits – especially decency, fearlessness and resilience.

Iffland recently notched her 46th victory on the Red Bull Cliff Diving circuit when she defeated Canada’s Molly Carlson and Switzerland’s Morgane Herculano at Bali. It was the perfect start to her bid to win what would be a mind-blowingly, historic 10th straight King Kahekili Trophy triumph as the world’s best female cliff diver.

Rodriguez said her latest win not only added extra gloss to Iffland’s titanic standing in world sport, but it reinforced to the next generation of Aussie divers – including those she encouraged at a Talent ID day staged at NSWIS last year – the importance of resilience, hard work, consistency and the ‘go get ‘em’ attitude Iffland displays whether she dives from towering jagged cliffs, helicopters or even hot air balloons.

“It’s great to think young divers can see her compete,” said Rodriguez, pictured below. “I just hope they learn a lot from her. Her courage is something to take a lot from and to embrace.

“You can be very talented, but if fear holds you back, it won’t work. Rhiannan has her nerves, but she refuses to allow them to stop her. That’s a good lesson.

“Rhiannan also allows people to understand the importance of working hard, showing resilience. But these are lessons that don’t only apply to diving, it’s everything: work, school, and life.

“I think Australians are very lucky to have her, because through Rhiannan’s example they see the rewards courage, hard work, and being a good person can bring.”

After winning in Bali, Iffland, a NSWIS scholarship holder, told Red Bull media that because the venue’s surrounds were reminiscent of her childhood home – tranquil Nords Wharf, near Newcastle – she felt calm throughout the event.

“Bali has been awesome,” Iffland enthused, a decade after making her debut on the circuit after receiving a wildcard entry. “This location is very similar to where I grew up and I feel comfortable in this environment, so I think that definitely helps.”

Incredibly, Iffland’s victory followed her decision to not train before the season started to spare her body from being pummeled, because, in the 34-year-old’s own worlds, ‘It’s going to be a long season.’  

The desire to preserve her body is understandable.  After all, cliff diving includes hitting the water at 85km/h after leaping from the equivalent of a six-story building – a speed that’d incur a $1097 fine and loss of five demerit points in NSW if her speedometer hit that mark while travelling through a 50km zone. 

However, coach Rodrigues said he and Iffland continued to work on visualisation, and the continued importance of adaptability and consistency in the countdown to that first competition.

“The most important thing is adaptation, and Rhiannan realises no matter what the circumstances are – how the water is moving, for instance – you have to be prepared for it and not allow change to be a surprise,” he said.

“And that’s what she did in Bali. Rhiannan is also very experienced, and the most important thing for her this season is to feel comfortable and to enjoy the competition. She is a natural performer, but what stands out about her is no matter what the circumstances may be; she always sees an opportunity.

“It helps that Rhiannan says the pressure of competition is a privilege and while that means she accepts pressure is her environment, she knows how to handle it.”

Daniel Lane, NSWIS

Photos: Red Bull Media & Rachel Tingey, NSWIS