22 years since....

[spoody]

Hey Folks,

I just wanted to introduce myself. I was a swimmer in MN and graduated from HS in 1987. I did not swim in College because I was good, but not great. But, what I could do "great" was hold my breath. 1987 I could routinely swim 100m in a 50m pool underwater (basically exactly like the Dynamic Apnea without Fins people do but with no nose plug). I could also swim 5 lengths of a 25yd pool underwater. My best was probably about 110 to 120m in the 50m pool.

So, I will be 40 in March and have not been in a pool in about 10 years. I run every day so I am in reasonable shape. I was just wondering how people do as they get older, is there a Masters group? I would love to get back in the pool...work out, and begin to work my lungs again.

Lastly, I was looking for old records but cannot find any. I get the feeling I could have been close to a WR if one even existed in '87.

Anyway Hello!

 

[trux]

Welcome to DB, Spoody! Don't worry, freedivers are like good wine - they only get better with age. For example Natalia Molchanova (holding most women records) will be 47 this year, and there are many others of her age. Bill Graham, DB member, who continues attacking US records will turn 70 this year.

Lastly, I was looking for old records but cannot find any. I get the feeling I could have been close to a WR if one even existed in '87.

Yes, indeed, the first registered AIDA DNF record dates to 1993 and it was only 125m: Apnea mania

 

[Jon]

Hey Spoody,

We have an event in Wisconsin every summer called Freedive-a-palooza. it's held in Lake Wazee, and shouldn't be too far of a drive for you if you want to meet some other divers and get some information about the sport, gear, dive sites, etc.

You can check out this thread for more information: http://forums.deeperblue.com/wisconsin-freedivers-spearos/81245-freedive-palooza-2009-a.html

BTW: Minnesota has a pretty good underwater hockey team that you might want to join. I think they are called the Loons- as in the bird.

Jon

 

[Tony Babowicz]

Spoody,
Welcome to Deeper blue. It seems like I have the same past as you. I didn't swim in college because I was good,not great. I am going to be 42 this year and I know quite a few "middle aged" freedivers that have bottom times that rival the young guys. I think we lose our competitive nature a little bit as we age, and that probably makes us better breath-holders. No anxiety, no stress, no expectations= long breath-holds.
Dive safe...

 

[Salehthefish]

hello there

Welcome on DB and wish you back soon to pool with great breath holding...

 

[agbiv]

Welcome from Texas! I too was a swimmer (& later a lifeguard) and felt I was okay in HS but not college material. As a plebe at USNA (class of '82) had to "qualify" in a pool to get out of taking swimming class - 400 m - any stroke. Chose an IM and creamed their best swimmer's time and that not even leaving from a block! However the instructor/coach was livid when I declined to join the team - I wanted to sail & get on the boats. Mistake??? Maybe so but I'm still sailing and I still swim & spear & I didn't spend 1/3 of my life at the pool in practice! Was able to requal as a guard at 45 with little effort to support my girls in scouts. Spear straight & dive safe.