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Freediving: Alice Hickson & Adam Drzazga named 2019 National Pool Champs!

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Following the recent UK National Pool Freediving Championships, Alice Hickson and Adam Drzazga have been crowned the 2019 British National freediving pool champions!

Alice Hickson bi-fins. Photo Credit: Daan Verhoeven

Alice held her breath for 6 minutes and 38 seconds in the static apnea discipline, swam 162m in dynamic no fins (a stylised form of breast stroke under water) and topped it off by swimming 179m in bi-fins securing herself a national record along the way – and ensuring ownership of all 4 pool disciplines.

Adam held his breath for just under 7 minutes, 6 minutes and 52 seconds to be exact and swam 116m no fins and 117m in bi-fins.

Adam Drzazga Static. Photo Credit: Neil Wood

The overall international female winner was Agnieszka Kalska of Poland who swam 180m in both no fins (a new personal best) and bi-fins (a national record) and held her breath for 6 minutes 49 seconds and the male winner was Tomasz Ratajak also from Poland who scored a hat-trick of personal bests with a no fins swim of 137m, 198m in dynamic with monofin and a 6 minutes 4 seconds static.  The newbie winners were Naura Suksomstarn (04:30 STA, 135m DYN mono, 57m DNF) and Rafael Nolasco (04:52 STA, 177m DYN mono, 106m DNF).

Tomasz Ratajak with Agnieska Kalska

This year’s UK National Pool Freediving Championships was hosted by Bristol Freedivers on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 March.  Forty-five athletes from fourteen countries convened on Hengrove Leisure Centre some vying for a position on the podium, others there to enjoy the fun of competing, maybe trying for national record or a personal best.  Five national records fell, Agnieszka Kalska (POL) 180m DYN bi-fins, Alice Hickson (UK) 179m DYN bi-fins, Rafael Nolasco (BRA) 177m DYN and Naura Suksomstarn (THA) 135m DYN and 57m DNF.  And 56 personal bests were officiated.

Freediving is a sport were you can gain as much enjoyment competing against yourself, trying to improve your own distances or time, as you can from trying to beat a fellow athlete.  In fact it is not uncommon to see two athletes in probable contention for a medal coaching one another and enjoying the success of the other.  Despite the fact of competing under the surface of the water, seemingly alone, you never are. You are constantly surrounded by a team of safety divers, underwater media filming and taking pictures, judges and assistant judges following on the surface and probably a coach.

Agnieska – DNF International Female Winner. Photo Credit: Daan Verhoeven

Having a coach makes it very much a team sport where the coaching can have a direct impact on a performance – in static apnea, the athlete relies on their coach to help them mentally and physically relax while resisting the urge to breathe and keep a quiet eye on them until they surface.  In the dynamic disciplines a coach allows the athlete time to relax and focus inward before the dive by taking away all other distractions, and being there at the end of their dive when they surface to talk them through their surface protocol, which has to happen within 15 seconds of their airways clearing the water in order to meet competition requirements and get a white card from the judge.

This is Bristol Freedivers second time organising the National Freediving Pool Championships and they didn’t disappoint, it was a superbly well organised with top judging, brilliant volunteers, excellent safety and quality sponsorship from Mares, the British Freediving Association, AIDA International, 2971, Infinity Freediving Cyprus, Saltfree Divers and Blue Water Freediving School. Congratulations to the female and male UK podium winners Lucelle Simms and Alex Atkins who took home silver medals and Beci Ryan and Gary McGrath bronze.  And to the International silver medallists Alice Hickson (UK) and Artiso Vounakis (GR), and bronze Lucelle Simms (UK) and Jesper Lauridsen (DEN).

To find out more about freediving in the UK, visit www.britishfreediving.org.

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Discover Curaçao with the Ultimate Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition

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Dive Travel Curaçao is thrilled to announce the launch of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition, an expertly curated resource that unveils the unparalleled dive experiences and vacation possibilities awaiting you in Curaçao. Produced exclusively for the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) Show 2024, this special edition guide is packed with exclusive insights, travel tips, and limited-time DEMA offers that make it easier than ever to explore Curaçao’s stunning underwater landscapes and vibrant culture.

Explore Curaçao’s Unmatched Diving Opportunities

With over 70 diverse dive sites along its southern coastline, Curaçao is a bucket-list destination for divers of all experience levels. From thriving coral reefs and intricate marine ecosystems to historic shipwrecks, the island offers a variety of underwater experiences that are hard to match. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition provides detailed recommendations for both shore and boat diving, making it a valuable tool for divers seeking the best entry points, pristine reefs, and hidden treasures along the coastline. Whether you are an avid wreck diver, or a beginner interested in shallow reefs, Curaçao has it all.

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Uncover Eco-Friendly Dive Resorts and Top Dive Operators

This DEMA 2024-exclusive Curaçao guide goes beyond diving to feature insider information on Curaçao’s eco-friendly accommodations, dive resorts, and top-rated dive operators committed to sustainable dive tourism. From all-inclusive resorts that support coral reef restoration initiatives to charming boutique hotels near prime dive locations, the guide helps travelers find the ideal stay to match their vacation goals. It also spotlights trusted dive operators on the island who prioritize environmental preservation, offering travelers a way to enjoy the underwater world responsibly.

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Immerse Yourself in Curaçao’s Culture, Culinary Delights, and Adventure

Curaçao offers a vibrant Caribbean culture rich in history, music, and culinary fusion. The guide reveals Curaçao’s hidden gems, including culinary hotspots, historical sites, and eco-tourism opportunities that will appeal to both divers and non-divers. Visitors can explore the island’s iconic architecture, savor a diverse range of dishes influenced by Caribbean, European, and South American flavors, and embark on land-based eco-adventures, such as hiking, cave exploration, and visiting national parks.

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Exclusive DEMA 2024 Specials and Limited-Time Dive Packages

This special edition guide features limited-time DEMA 2024 offers on dive packages, accommodations, and excursions. Travelers who book through Dive Travel Curaçao, or our Curaçao dive travel partners attending DEMA, will have access to exclusive discounts on custom dive vacation packages, making it easier to plan an affordable, high-quality dive trip that fits your preferences. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition is designed to simplify your travel planning and help you dive deeper into the incredible experiences that Curaçao has to offer.

It’s Time to Dive Curaçao!

Now is the time to discover why Curaçao is a top dive destination in the Caribbean! Dive Travel Curaçao invites you to experience an unforgettable dive vacation with exclusive DEMA 2024 specials tailored just for you. To secure your spot, download a copy of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition and contact the Dive Travel Curaçao team to start customizing your Caribbean dive adventure today.

For more information and bookings, please visit Dive Curaçao’s website or contact our reservations team directly.

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Santa Divers take the Plunge for Charity

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Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.

Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!

santa divers

Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.

Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.

“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.

Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.

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