Reaching 40m Constant Weight

[BennyB]

Nice work Chi, the training paid off!

[jome]

By the way, do tell more. Was it easy, how did you train, what was the biggest hurdle to overcome, how did you buddy do?

[sanso]

Well done!

[Erik]

Fantastic! We told ya
Now... 50? Hahaha.

[cdavis]

Done good!

Thanks for the update, but how about some more details. What worked for you and what was difficult?

Connor

[Chi]

Ok here goes!

Well in training up to the trip I maintained dynamic at least twice a week and some dry static training on off days. I was also flat out at work making money to spend so I wouldn't say training was optimal...but it was enough

Heading over I felt confident, I felt great. I was spending a week in Kauai with my girlfriend before meeting the other divers and they had already done plus 40m/50m dives in that time (PBs for them) and had told me they felt great. They told me of great conditions but little did I know exactly how good they were to be! We went spearfishing a few times prior and the magic water had me diving great, averaging 25m depth at 1m30s

Well the first day of proper freediving we went to the ropes in Honaunau off Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. There are three ropes out there I believe and conditions could not have been better. Zero swell, no current and we could see the base of the rope from the surface!!! That put it at least 50m viso...

Earlier that morning I had been told we were hitting the ropeand to be honest I couldn't shake that certain amount of excitement which I think is a mix of anxiety and anticipation haha

I was first to do the rope and after a few warmups I had a game plan. I am typically a spear-fisher and as such did not want to change my routine much. I wanted to keep the dive as similar as what I was used to as possible to keep comfortable. I was wearing 3lb of weight and new I had the best guys out there looking after me. We had 4 other divers in the water, one filming, one who would do a deep safety, another doing a shallow safety and the final one on standby on the surface.

I was debating in my head about how I should do the breathe up, as I have always noticed that I cannot take a full breath via snorkel or in the typical floating stance...I am much more used to taking a full breather up before dynamic. Either way I took as deep a breath as possible, maximum exhale, then pushing out my diaphragm, inflating chest then pulling shoulders back. It gave me what I think was an 80% breath but in all honestly I felt really confident on the day. I do not pack either so that is something to learn in time!

I started my descent past the first 5m by sweeping my arms out then starting a steady kick down. I was using stereo fins (C4 Falcon 25s) and knew that I would have to play it by ear as for when to stop kicking. I knew equalisation would be my greatest hurdle and I believe I could've taken more air...but ah well all in hindsight! I will have to try a breathe up on my back next time.

As I descended the first 25m felt perfectly normal. I felt great, nothing out of the ordinary...then when I went past 30m I was in a whole new world of pressure. The feeling was amazing, not worrying at all but definitely different. I had set my alarm at 40 and was intently listening out for it...

As I descended I stopped kicking and focused on equalising. The tip about keeping my chin locked firmly down really helped me clear. Although I had practiced Frenzel I was sticking to standard nose clearing.

At about 35+m I knew I was having trouble equalising. I felt I had very little volume but could feel my ears on the verge of clearing. As such I locked my hands over my nose and managed a final clear... but by that time had sunk the remaining 10m (I was travelling a lot faster then anticipated, which I put down to inexperience). As a result of my hand being over my nose I had a nasty bit of mask squeeze (that would manifest as racoon eyes for a few days after haha). I still hadn't heard my alarm but decided to turn and as my feet swept around my fin brushed the sand. As I ascended I felt good, very good. I got a very minor contraction on the way up but had no problem in ascending slowly. As I neared the surface I was stoked as I knew I had the dive in the bag. I didn't feel pushed and as I surfaced it only took me two breaths for me to remove my mask, verbalise and signal OK and give the bloody biggest smile you can imagine. My safety divers were whooping and cheering for me when I checked my watch and it came up 45.7m. I was so very very happy!

Technically there is a lot I would change as the dive was very very long for the depth. 1m50s for 45.7m! I will definitely have to experiment with breathe ups, try to shake off my performance nerves and practice deep equalisation. Either way I am hooked. Even with some bruised eyes at the end of the day you couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

That same day my two companion divers Wayne and Ant Judge set new PBs of 52.6 and 57.2m. They were stoked too.

Ant was aiming to break 70m on this trip and we planned another freedive later in the trip with Deron Verbeck (sp?) but unfortunately on the day we chose there was a massive accident blocking the roads to Honaunau. Ant was in particular disappointed as the 57.2m dive for him was a complete breeze and he is definitely capable of getting past 70.

Thank you all for everything you have told me. I am definitely hooked and can't wait to do more deep dives to sort out technique etc. I know I have the breath hold for it but definitely need more dives under my weight belt I hope in time to start doing some intense training. It is time an Australian contingent came to an international comp as the freediving scene has only just started moving as of late here Hopefully I will then get to meet some of you!

50 is defininitely the next hurdle for me, though I have no doubt I could have done it if I had gotten to the ropes again. Hawaii is such a magical place and I will never forget the diving there.





Here are some other misc photos:

Ant Judge, Wayne Judge, Angela Bettua, Rick Bettua








I am second from the left:

Not a bad safety boat and crew eh?

[sanso]

Way to go!
I do hope You celebrated well enough!

[sheepeck]

Congratulation.
I was also so happy to be able to dive in Hawaii two years ago. Have to go back.

BTW - I would love to see the video. Is it somewhere already?