NZ freediving records smashed

Local freedivers smashed another three national records at this weekend's Apneists' Challenge Freediving Competition at Trust Porirua Aquatic Centre, hosted by the Lazy Seal Freediving Club.

Kathryn McPhee, 28, shattered the first record on Saturday in dynamics without fins, which involves the diver swimming as far as possible in the pool on a single breath without the use of fins. McPhee covered a distance of 150m, or six lengths of the pool in a time of about 2'50”. This record exceeds the current world record by 1m and gives her a number one world ranking. The previous national record was 117m. McPhee describes the dive as “fairly conservative”, “I felt quite strong at the end but didn't want to overdo it and miss out on my national record”.

On Sunday, Guy Brew, 45, started the event with a huge 8'05” static breath hold, smashing his previous national record of 7'24” and equalling his personal best in training. Brew joins an elite four freedivers to have ever exceeded 8 minutes in competition. Guy stated, “I was pleased to bank an eight minute static in a comp, and to nail a decent (176m) dynamic in a short pool, a couple of hours afterwards”.

McPhee attempted the last remaining national women's record without her name beside it: dynamics. Wearing a monofin, she swam a distance of 169m on a single breath underwater, in a dive time of approximately 2'30”, breaking the previous record by 6m and assuming fourth equal position in the world rankings.

McPhee and Brew are members of Wellington's Lazy Seal Freediving Club. Both are looking to compete at this years World Championships in Egypt in September. McPhee is currently seeking sponsorship to bring an international judge to New Zealand in August to officially attempt the dynamics without fins world record. Two other Kiwis (William Trubridge and David Mullins) who currently hold three world records.

For more details on freediving: www.lazyseal.co.nz