Kralendijk, Bonaire.Carlos Coste (VEN)sets New Continental South American Record -69 meters on 5 september in the purest freediving discipline of Constant No Fins (CNF) in 3 minutes 33 seconds (previous record: -65 m). 4 days later on 9 september Carlos broke his own Guinness World Record of 150m (Mexico, 2010) longest distance freedive in open waters with one breath in a cave to 177m establishing his twelfth World record in his career, this time open waters in the ocean.
Budget Marine Bonaire was a sponsor of this year’s Bonaire Deepsea Challenge, which was a success on many levels. The eight days competition culminated in one world record, two continental records, seven national records, two Guinness records attempts and countless personal best dives. The competition was comprised of four freediving disciplines spanning 6 official diving days. The second annual competition took place just 500m from shore in beautiful blue and deep waters off of the Van der Valk Plaza Beach Resort Bonaire, one of the competitions key sponsors.
The Guinness World Record attempts were of considerable interest. Spectators lined the finger piers of downtown Kralendijk while the Venezuelan resident of Bonaire Carlos Coste and Marina Kazankova of Russia prepared for their momentous swims. Marina impressed onlookers with a 154m swim in a mermaid tail. Coste bested his own record of 150m, pushing the distance to 177m. The swims were dedicated to conservation of Bonaire’s ocean. The records are pending approval by the Guinness Record Board so they may not be official for a bit of time.
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Both records were confirmed by AIDA (International Association for the Development of Apnea) judges Kimmo Lahtinen, from Finland, and assisted by Marie Martinez, from Belgium. The Venezuelan-American journalist Casto Ocando confirmed the record as a witness. The final certification was conducted by notary Kenneth Arends, from Bonaire community.The records are pending of collected the evidences to be referred to London for approval by the Guinness Record Board.
For first time a freediving event is filming in 360o format out the water and underwater by 360 hub producers led by Dave Faires and Tom Boyd. Video Guinness promo in 360o Carlos and Marina Records https://youtu.be/Bcyk-froEh4
Notable performances from the event included dives such as Jeanine Grasmeijer’s of the Netherlands who broke the AIDA Free Immersion (FIM) record to -92meters. The record was taken from the late Natalia Molchanova of Russia. Jeanine forfeited the rest of the competition, satisfied with her new accomplishment. This marks Grasmeijer’s second world record in the discipline.
Other notable dives included the two continental records. One broken by Deepsea´s co-organizer Carlos Coste of Venezuela with a Constant No Fins (CNF) dive to -69meters. After he finished his dive he said: ‘Venezuela persist Venezuela you can do it, everything is possible’. Also marking a new continental record was Carolina Schrappe of Brazil opened the event plunging down to 95m on a Variable Weight (VWT) dive. VWT means that Carol used a sled to drag her down to depth while ascending under her own power.
Alfredo Roen from Tenerife, Spain surpassed his own national record by reaching 102 meters in Constant Weight and become the Winner of the competition
Ashley Chapman, American freediver, set 2 national records for the United States of 84 meters in constant weight and free Immersion winning the competition as the most complete athlete in 4 disciplines.
Alex Alvarado, the first Puerto Rican to compete internationally in this sport, He achieved 3 national records: Static Apnea, with 5 minutes 29 seconds under water; and 50 meters deep in free immersion and Constant weight.
Aurore Asso, from France made a new national record 54m in constant no fins.
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With deep blue waters, plenty of marine life support from the island’s best businesses, and a beautiful community of people Bonaire is sure to host many more events such as this one. The Deepsea Challenge is poised to grow bigger and better looking into the coming years. Plans include more involvement for spectators and live video feeds of the event!
For more information
Deepsea Challenge: http://deepseabonaire.com/deepsea-challenge-2016/
AIDA: The International Association for the Development of Apnea, AIDA, is the international sanctioning body for freediving, individual and team competitions, and freediving world record attempts. http://www.aidainternational.org
Freediving Disciplines Defined:https://www.deeperblue.com/freediving-disciplines-explained/
