New Zealander Sets Dynamic Apnea World Record!

David Mullen of New Zealand, has just broken the dynamic apnea without fins world record! Dynamic apnea is swimming for distance, underwater, while holding your breath. It is a pool discipline of the more broad category of free-diving. Wikipedia defines free-diving as any of various aquatic activities that share the practice of breath-hold underwater diving. Some other examples include spear fishing, free-dive photography and other apnea activities.

Free-diver with monofin

To put Mullen's record into perspective, the previous mark was set at 213 meters--over two football fields! Mullen just beat the record by swimming 218 meters! Most average humans would have difficulty swimming this distance while taking breaths.

Mullen's next goal is to tackle what Wikipedia refers to as competitive apnea. This is considered an extreme sport where free-divers attempt to swim the deepest depth without any equipment. Mullen's best mark of 118 meters deep is third in the world behind Herbert Nitsch at 124 meters. Referred to as constant weight apnea in competition, while plunging, the diver must follow a guideline without any assistance save for bi-fins or a monofin. The sport is considered extremely dangerous without the proper knowledge and medical supervision. I wonder how our polo players would fare?


Here's the Wiki Article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free-diving


-Polo Steve