News
UK-Based International Freediving Competition Announced
Freediving is a sport of aquatic breath hold. Many people enjoy it just for recreation and enjoyment, but for the competitive amongst us it holds the lure of National and World records, International championships and World cups. In the UK every year we have International pool championships which are heading towards the goal of hosting the World Championships.
The 6th Great Northern International Freediving competition and the UK BFA National pool championships organised by myself and the Apneists UK group will run on the 21st and 22nd March 2015 in Liverpool. The competition has grown over the last 6 years to the point where last year it was one of the biggest of its kind; there were 51 Athletes competing, 17 countries represented and eventually we saw 3 National records and dozens of excellent performances. Athletes can sign up here:
www.freedivingcompetition.com/forms.html
The competition is made up of a combined point score over three disciplines:
- Dynamic no fins (DNF) on day one is the distance an athlete can swim underwater holding their breath without fins. The current UK male record holder, John Moorcroft, who was ranked 6th in the world 2014, will be attempting to beat the 167m swim he did earlier in the year. The female UK record was pushed further by the current record holder, Rebecca Coales (who is ranked 4th in the world 2014), to 145m, and she hopes to go past 150m this year. Both athletes are coached by myself. We hold the event in a 25 metre pool.
- Static apnea (STA) is maximum breath hold whilst lying stationary on the surface. The longest hold of the weekend last year was a 6’50 minute hold by Adam Drzazga of the UK. It is a discipline requiring a lot of mental relaxation and control.
- Dynamic with fins (DYN) is maximum distance an athlete can swim underwater using fins, or a mono fin. We have had some really terrific performances over the years. Antonio Del Duca won the overall competition for the men last year with a swim over 200m. It was a really exciting competition overall. Swims of over 200 metres distance aren’t uncommon in this competition.
Feel free to come and watch. The details for the competition can be found here. Athletes can sign up via this link too. We hold this event in a 50 metre pool.
Video from last year’s competition can be viewed here.
We have Aquasphere as sponsors, and the BFA are part grant funding the competition, however we are still in negotiation with other sponsors to hold the title and provide additional prizes. Plenty of press is produced by the competition so it is a good opportunity for companies involved in the industry to get exposure.
The sport of Freediving is growing every year. It is possible to learn Freediving in the UK with experienced coaches and clubs. For more information, please visit www.learn2freedive.com.
Photos: Daan Verhoeven
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
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