On Monday, June 23, my friend and colleague Will Hedlund went freediving at Molokini Crater off the south coast of Maui. Will was diving on what we call "The Deep Line" because it's the deepest mooring line in the crater at 104 ft of depth.
From what I can gather from witnesses and friends, Will pulled down the line and kicked up to the surface at least one time, presumably several times during his dive session. He wasn't wearing a wetsuit or any weights, just his mask, snorkel, and his Cressi 2000 HF fins. The last time someone saw him was when he was kicking up from the bottom at about 60ft. The next time he was seen, Will was floating face down on the surface and unconscious.
On the day of the accident, Will was diving alone. His Oceanic Atom 2 computer indicated that his last dive was 102 ft and lasted 2:21. After two days on full life support at the Maui Memorial ICU, Will passed Wednesday morning, June 25. It is presumed that Will suffered a shallow-water blackout. He was 25 years old.
Will came to Maui about one year ago on his honeymoon with his new wife, Rachel. They came to visit the Valley Isle from Nebraska and never went back home. They settled down in Kihei and both Will and Rachel soon took jobs at a local dive shop. Will quickly fell in love with the ocean. After getting his open-water, advanced, and rescue SCUBA certifications in quick succession, Will discovered his passion for freediving.
Although Will never received any formal freedive training, his enthusiasm and determination in pursuing his apnea goals and connecting with the sea were admirable by any standard.
I never dove with him, but on Will's last day, he was observed by a dive master leading a group of divers. The dive master indicated to his group that he saw something in the distance that must be a shark. After calling his group over and swimming toward the shark, the dive master realized "the shark" was actually Will gracefully kicking along the deep line.
Rest In Peace brother, we won't forget you.
Attached is a photo of Will and Rachel in the shop and below is a link explaining a bit about Molokini crater.
All About Molokini
From what I can gather from witnesses and friends, Will pulled down the line and kicked up to the surface at least one time, presumably several times during his dive session. He wasn't wearing a wetsuit or any weights, just his mask, snorkel, and his Cressi 2000 HF fins. The last time someone saw him was when he was kicking up from the bottom at about 60ft. The next time he was seen, Will was floating face down on the surface and unconscious.
On the day of the accident, Will was diving alone. His Oceanic Atom 2 computer indicated that his last dive was 102 ft and lasted 2:21. After two days on full life support at the Maui Memorial ICU, Will passed Wednesday morning, June 25. It is presumed that Will suffered a shallow-water blackout. He was 25 years old.
Will came to Maui about one year ago on his honeymoon with his new wife, Rachel. They came to visit the Valley Isle from Nebraska and never went back home. They settled down in Kihei and both Will and Rachel soon took jobs at a local dive shop. Will quickly fell in love with the ocean. After getting his open-water, advanced, and rescue SCUBA certifications in quick succession, Will discovered his passion for freediving.
Although Will never received any formal freedive training, his enthusiasm and determination in pursuing his apnea goals and connecting with the sea were admirable by any standard.
I never dove with him, but on Will's last day, he was observed by a dive master leading a group of divers. The dive master indicated to his group that he saw something in the distance that must be a shark. After calling his group over and swimming toward the shark, the dive master realized "the shark" was actually Will gracefully kicking along the deep line.
Rest In Peace brother, we won't forget you.
Attached is a photo of Will and Rachel in the shop and below is a link explaining a bit about Molokini crater.
All About Molokini
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