Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series comes to Ballycastle - diver Aidan Heslop on pushing himself ‘to be the best that I can be’

1. Up and at it - what is your morning routine?

I sleep with the blinds open so I can waken up to the sun instead of an alarm. I check my phone and then get up and make breakfast. I waken up my girlfriend, Molly, and we get ready to leave for training. Molly is also a high diver and member of Canada’s elite national team of high divers. We train together which is a brilliant way of keeping ourselves motivated and always diving at our best.

2. What might you eat in a typical working day for...

Breakfast? Eggs on toast, some fruit (if we have it) and a cup of tea.

Lunch? Lunch is usually the leftover ‘Hello Fresh’ food from the night before, or a ham and cheese baguette from our favourite café, Van Houtte, in Montreal, which is now my home.

Evening meal? Dinner will be something from ‘Hello Fresh’ which changes all the time – there is plenty of variety which we like.

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3. Is nutrition important to you – do you take health supplements?

I don’t take any supplements, but I try to eat healthily and not snack during the day as much as I used to.

It’s easy to lie on the sofa all day if you’re not ready to go outside, so showering and getting dressed to go out makes it easier to actually do that - to go outside and exercise

—  Aidan Heslop

4. Ever been on a diet – if so, how did it go?

I haven’t been on a diet, as such, but, again, I just try not to snack on unhealthy food like crisps and biscuits.

5. Weekend treat?

Our favourite Uber Eats spot - Sammi & Soupe Dumpling.

6. How do you keep physically and mentally fit?

Mentally, I like to keep myself occupied when outside of diving with some other kind of activity, which so far this season has been a lot of golf.

7. Best tip for everyday fitness?

It’s easy to lie on the sofa all day if you’re not ready to go outside, so showering and getting dressed to go out makes it easier to actually do that - to go outside and exercise.

8. Were you a fan of schools sports/PE or do you have a memory from those days that you would rather forget?

I loved PE and it was always my favourite part of school. I always managed to pick up most sports pretty easily - with some exceptions, of course.

9. Teetotal or tipple?

I do love a good drink when it is deserved.

10. Stairs or lift?

We live on 45th floor of our apartment block in Montreal, so it’s definitely the lift for me.

11. What book are you currently reading?

I’ll be honest - I haven’t read a book in quite some time.

12. Best Netflix/streaming TV?

I really enjoy the Netflix sports documentaries like Drive to Survive and Full Swing.

13. Any new skills or hobbies?

Golf is my newest hobby and I’m really enjoying it this summer. Occasionally, I do a bit of gaming with my friends back in the UK – it’s a good way to switch off from the outside world and catch up on what’s going on back home.

14. How do you relax?

I enjoy chilling with my girlfriend at home and going to the hot tub and barbecue area in our apartment building.

So far, I really don’t have any massive regrets; everything I’ve done in my life has brought me to where I am now

—  Aidan Heslop

15. What would you tell your younger self?

I’m still just 22, but I would say, ‘Be patient’.

16. What are your goals for 2024?

Consistency. This not only applies to diving, but life in general too.

17. What time do you get to bed and do you think you get enough sleep?

I usually get to sleep around midnight and waken around 7.30am. It always feels like enough sleep to me, as it gives me plenty of energy for the day ahead.

18. Biggest gripe or regret?

So far, I really don’t have any massive regrets; everything I’ve done in my life has brought me to where I am now. Because of that, I wouldn’t change a thing.

19. Have your priorities in life or perspectives changed?

For the last 10 years - and hopefully for the next 15 to 20 - my priority had been cliff diving and pushing myself to be the best that I can be. The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series brings me and Molly - who is on the women’s roster - all over the world. This season alone we have had stops in Athens, Boston, Oslo and Sydney. I’m really excited for the event in Ballycastle. Compared to Italy, conditions will be a bit different, but that’s one of the things you have to deal with in cliff diving. I don’t get my parents coming to many events, but they are making the trip for this one. I can’t wait for it all to kick off.

20. Has coronavirus – or any health epiphany or life event - changed your attitude towards your own mortality?

For me, coronavirus actually came at quite a nice time. I had just broken my wrist diving and it gave me time to recover from the surgery. Once recovered, I had time to focus fully on rehab and get back into a full training programme. My diving career began in the pool, but now my focus lies with chasing the adrenaline that can only be found in the unique sport of cliff diving.

From Plymouth, Aidan Heslop is the youngest diver ever to compete in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, as well as being the youngest diver ever to win a World Series event. He will be taking part in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series which rolls into Ballycastle tomorrow and Saturday July 20