FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New US Men’s Free Immersion National Record Set at Freediving Competition in the Bahamas.

The United States Apnea Association (USAA) is pleased to announce that Robert King, a USAA member, set a new National record in the freediving discipline of free immersion to a depth of 86 meters / 282 feet on April 19, 2010, at Dean’s Blue Hole on Long Island in the Bahamas.  This performance surpasses his record set in 2009.  Rob is participating in the Suunto Dive Off freediving competition.

Two AIDA International judges from the United States judged Rob’s performance.  Grant Graves, USAA president, and Linden Wolbert validated the performance as following all AIDA and USAA rules and regulations for a record performance.  Rob made the round trip in three minutes and nine seconds.  Rob’s dive was the deepest dive of any American during a competition.  After he reached the surface, he provided a big smile following a quick surface protocol.  He made it look easy. 

The competition has seven days of competition remaining over the next nine days.  Rob said, “This was a nice way to start the competition.  Thanks to Herbert Nitsch and Will Winram for coaching and advice during training.”

Free immersion is the freediving discipline that requires the athlete to pull their way to depth and back using their hands to pull down and up the competition line while holding their breath.  It is one of three recognized self-powered disciplines in the diving to depth arena.  The other two are constant ballast and constant ballast without fins.  Both require the athlete to swim to depth and return under their own power. 

The USAA is a nonprofit association founded on the democratic representation of freediving within the United States and internationally.  Founded in 2003, the USAA consists of an active membership dedicated to furthering freediving in the United States and abroad. For more information about the USAA, the U.S. National Freediving Team, and membership please visit www.usfreediving.org.

The International Association for the Development of Freediving, AIDA, is the international sanctioning body for freediving, individual and team competition, and freediving world record attempts.  For more information about AIDA please visit http://www.aida-international.org.

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Images available upon request. 

Contact Information:

Grant W. Graves, President
United States Apnea Association, USAA

3642 Seahorn Dr.
Malibu, CA 90265
Email: makog@aol.com
Phone: 310-560-6104

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