Vertical Blue 2010: Suunto Dive-Off to Determine World's Best All-Round Freediver

Vertical Blue, the globe’s premier freediving invitational competition which begins on April 17, 2010 at Dean’s Blue Hole, Bahamas, is set to determine the world’s best all-round freediver with new a Suunto Dive-Off competition.

Hosted at the 203m deep Dean’s Hole in the Bahamas, 15 of the best freedivers from nine nations will attempt to reach new depths in three different disciplines. The athletes can earn up to 100 points in each discipline, depending on the ratio of their best performance compared to the best dive in the event. The athlete with the most points at the end of the competition is crowned Suunto Dive-Off champion.

Vertical Blue has a history of record breaking. A total of five new world and 30 national records were set at the 2009 event. With the addition of the Suunto Dive-Off, more record-breaking dives are expected at the competition, which runs until April 27.

Among those taking part is Will Trubridge (29), who holds British and New Zealand citizenship and is the current record holder in the unassisted constant weight, no fins (CNF) category with a depth of 90m.

Also competing is Herbert Nitsch (AUT), often described as “the greatest freediver ever”, and the reigning world champion and record holder in the constant weight (CWT) category. The 40-year-old dove to 123m at the Freediving World Championships in December 2009, also held at Dean’s Blue Hole, and has throughout his career achieved an incredible 28 world records.

National champions representing their countries include Robert King (USA), Ryuzo Shinomiya (JPN), Walter Steyn (AUS), William Winram (CAN) and Carolina Schrappe (BRA).

The 15 competitors have a total of 58 world or national records to their names and almost all are national champions in one or more disciplines. Says Will Trubridge: “Expect fireworks!”

The full list of competitors for Vertical Blue 2010 is:

Eric Fattah (CAN)
Carla-Sue Hanson (USA)
Misuzu Hirai (JPN)
Robert King (USA)
Dave Mullins (NZL)
Guillaume Nery (FRA)
Herbert Nitsch (AUT)
Niki Roderick (NZL)
Alfredo Romo (MEX)
Jared Schmelzer (USA)
Carolina Schrappe (BRA)
Ryuzo Shinomiya (JPN)
Walter Steyn (AUS)
William Trubridge (NZL)
William Winram (CAN)