Shark Freediving

Last June 23th and 24th there was a new edition of the DIVE GAMES, which took place in Porto Alegre, south of Brazil. This is the fourth year this SCUBA games competition takes place, but this year was the first time they put it together with a freediving competition, organized by AIDA Brazil. It was a good mix between scuba divers and freedivers, and there were some very good performances in the freediving competition.

The static was won by Ricardo Bahia, from Rio de Janeiro with 6:41, 2nd Warley de Souza with a PB of 5:21 and Argentinean Agustin Di Francisco (Apnea Patagonia’s student) 3rd with 5:00. With the women, Karol shows us hat she’s still one of the best freedivers in the world and did a clear 6:45 static.

In the discipline dynamic with fins the Argentinean Agustin made a new national record diving 150 meters, followed by Ricardo Bahia, 142 meters, and Germano Viegas, 135 meters. Karol did 131 meters and a new south American record.

The surprise came with DNF, were the Argentinean Di Francisco (best rookie 2006) is a specialist. He announced 101 meters and he had told me before travelling that he was thinking he can beat Will Winram’s American record, but his PB was 125mts. Well, Agustin did it! 155 meters for a new pan-American record. Anyway, by now he’s in the top in the world ranking list (at least for a few days, now that the WC is starting) He was followed by Ricardo Bahia with a national record of 103 meters and Hugo Duppre diving 79 meters.
Karol Meyer did a new National record in DNF with 100 meters.

Well, south American freedivers are growing up, it’s a shame that freedivers as Agustin Di Francisco, Ricardo Bahia (7:44 PB) or Karoline Meyer can’t be in Maribor due to exchange rate (high costs) may be in a short time a World Championship could be run in South America (Venezuela? Brazil?). So a big amount of freedivers that cannot participate in the most of the big events may have the opportunity to gain experience.

By now, Karol wrote to me that she’s going to Sharm to de WC. I know she’s training a lot, and many people will talk about her in Sharm, may be some surprises in CNF (She was training with William Trubridge during his World Record, she was one of the judges and learned a lot)

Complete results of the competition can be found in the left picture, just click it. More photo’s can be found here and here.