Red Bull Cliff Diving not returning in 2019

Red Bull Cliff Diving released its 2019 World Series schedule and neither Possum Kingdom Lake or another U.S. location made the cut.

“Red Bull Cliff Diving thanks Texas and Possum Kingdom Lake for five incredible years of competition. The support from the local community was evident as we saw crowds (grow) every year,” Red Bull Cliff Diving organizers said in an email. “We appreciate every fan that brought out their boat, kayak, paddle board, jet ski, etc. to Possum Kingdom Lake to watch the most graceful and daring athletes in the world compete. As Red Bull Cliff Diving looks to explore new locales around the world, the series will not be holding a U.S. event this year. However, Red Bull Cliff Diving hopes to be back on U.S. soil in future years. In the meantime please follow the 2019 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series at redbullcliffdiving.com .”

Red Bull Cliff Diving made its first appearance at Possum Kingdom in 2014. The event featured some of the best divers in the world making the leap off a precipice built onto the infamous Hell’s Gate cliffs.

In the previous five years, the event, held on the first weekend of June at Possum Kingdom, kicked off the start of the World Series calendar for Red Bull. This year the World Series calendar will begin in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines on April 13. Red Bull Cliff Diving will then visit Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Lebanon and Bosnia and Herzegovina before finishing the season in Spain on Sept. 13.

Kris Kolanus, of Poland, won the men’s division and Adriana Jimenez, of Mexico, won the women’s division in the final year that Possum Kingdom saw the event.

Over 6,000 people attended the event in 2014 and had grown to over 12,000 attending in 2018.

In 2014, past Graham Chamber of Commerce CEO Jennifer Conway said the economic impact to the city was already clear.

“We are always excited to see an event of this caliber happen so close to Graham,” Conway said in a previous Leader article. “Major events at Possum Kingdom Lake have a direct impact on our economy. Our major hotels are already almost completely booked for the weekend of the competition. I am confident Graham will benefit from the attendees dining, shopping and filling their tanks in our town.”

Back in 2014, past PK Chamber of Commerce President Gayla Chambers said the event was a big boost for the economy. Possum Kingdom Lake Manager Mike Iltis said the event was one of the biggest events the lake has ever gotten.

“It’s been in the planning phases for over a year,” Iltis said in a previous Leader article. “This is the biggest thing along this scope of activity that we have seen.”

It is yet to be seen what the effect of losing the event will be on Possum Kingdom Lake and neighboring communities.