Media friendly competition freediving vs. "pure" freediving

[CEngelbrecht]

I have an ongoing wet dream of seeing live freediving competitions on TV the same way they transmit skiing competitions, formula one, snooker and heavens know what. To see live freediving on Eurosport, ESPN, the Olympics, the whole nine yards.

Do we need to aim competitive freediving even more towards media friendliness? I have seen the game develop further towards exactly that the last couple of seasons, especially with the finals format in the pool. I don't think the same is yet the case with the depth format, which I see as the royal disciplines of freediving (and therefore those, which could really sell TV, etc.).

What would the depth format need in order to make it more "exciting" and "unpredictable", so we catch the attention of spectating none-freedivers, so sponsors would take more notice and make in-the-black events a regular phenomenon and not a rarity. I believe steady under water footage during depth competitions is a must, but I'm also thinking if the competition format need re-thinking. I'm just not sure in which way.

Or, do we risk of sacrificing some form of freediving "purity" by seeking out all that, which could stop servicing the game for its own sake (what ever the hell that means)?

Or is the fullfillment of both these issues intertwined with each other?

 

[DivingDane]

hi Chris

i think both can co exist. the "true" freediving and the commercialized freediving. a bit like what happens with Boxing, you have the "true boxing" ala Olympics and then you have the media heavy stuff with trash talk, camera's shiny costums and theme music.

i think the key things we need to show are:
-High quality multi camera footage:
- different angles: personal view, wide angle etc
- live commentary (which would require live view video)
- "rivalry" between competitors
- multi heat style event
- live depth readings during the broadcast
- no announcements made publicly so the viewer doesnt no how far the diver will go.

the event style would be interesting but would also make the diving more dangerous which is good for the cameras but not something i would want to introduce to the sport.

we could take inspiration fromthe Red Bull AIr race i think. ithe sport is different but the style competition isnt that different with one athlete at a time.

food for thought anyway

DD

 

[rddk]

Next year there will be an event on the italian tv about dept freediving competitions, since 2 years apnea academy has made a live event about evolution cup in lignano,a pool freediving competition that could been seen on the net.
The problem about freediving is that isn't a major sport like football, basket,volley....
For example in italy exist only football and other sports do not exist at all, consider that making a live event of freediving competition on tv could be a problem cuz people could get mad if someone blacked out, as profane people could think the worst thing at all.
Another problem is that visibility make things dangerous, more visibility mean more sponsor= more money= more problems. Any sport that move big amouth of money has lot of problems in our sport could be really dangerous, athlets pushed by sponsor could make really bad choiches. Since now any professional freediver is first a sea lover that consider this sport as an hobby, after that he's an athlet. that's my 1 cent opinion

 

[Rik]

Rddk does have a point that commercialization of freediving could cause freedivers to take more risks. Currently, I don't believe that AIDA has sufficient experienced medical support to be able to protect atlete's from themselves at most of the competitions. (This is something different then only giving medical support!) An alternative would be to go back to the pre-2005 rules, but I don't think that most divers would see that as an serious solution.

Perhaps a modification of the competition with strict secrecy on the announced depth and positioning of several dive lines close to each other so that viewers can see divers going against each other?

I also think that team competitions could be more exciting, because a black-out could have bigger consequences for the outcome, and a team competition gives more suspense because the larger variables.

 

[trux]

Good point. Another risk of commercializing is that doping would become a much more serious problem in freediving. Currently AIDA uses only the standard WADA tests and lists of banned substances. Those are not designed for freediving, and would allow athletes helping themselves with drugs not banned by WADA. Having more media, and hence more sponsors and more money involved, would also stimulate more people to dope themselves.

 

[Goran Colak]

Without random blood doping testing, you can cheat freely with anything that cross your mind, so unless AIDA or any other federation introduce random doping testing they will never catch anyone that is or will be on doping.

 

[trux]

That's right. AIDA Czech Republic signed an agreement with the national anti-doping agency, and random unanounced tests of AIDA athletes were one of their conditions. I am sure the international AIDA would be in position to make similar agreement with the international WADA, and that other national branches could do the same.

 

[Rik]

In some cases, the local doping authority can assist in catching athlete's who are suspected of using doping. Depending on the rules, this can be done by any "official" without prior notice to the national AIDA at organised competitions.

The topic of doping is difficult from a medical perspective. A competition physican should always be accessible for athlete's with doping related questions without fear for repercussions. Currently, the role of the physican within AIDA is not protected enough to be able to provide such an service which could improve the safety of competitions. Most competitions I have attended don't have the necessary logistics. Nor do competition physicans require to have knowledge of doping related subjects.

To conduct doping procedures, AIDA should also train doping officials. This kind of training is not yet developed, and could easy be based on the current program within WADA.

Freediving should be more professionalized before promoting it more in the media. Perhaps a difference should be made between paid / sponsored professionals and amateurs in competitions to limit the required investment.

 

[trux]

In some cases, the local doping authority can assist in catching athlete's who are suspected of using doping. Depending on the rules, this can be done by any "official" without prior notice to the national AIDA at organised competitions.

Yes, perhaps, but frankly told I never heard about any freedvier being randomly picked up for a doping test anywhere (except of a competition where it was ordered by the rules or the organizer). With the agreement, the local anti-doping agency defines the minimal annual number of random surprise tests, and the nicest is that they provide them at their cost. So the random tests will happen for sure.

 

[Rik]

Yes, really random is preferred over directed testing based on suspicion or at only certain competitions. Someone should forward this idea to the Assembly / Board, so this can be actively be pursued.

So, what about CW and the media? We are a bit off-topic

 

[Goran Colak]

Trux, that's great initiative by your AIDA, but random doping testing on a competition is not that random if you think about it, because you know when it will happen, on a competition day Random in truly means that doping testing is conducted at training, or at home, or wherever without prior announcement! For exemple in Croatia me an 2 more freedives had to sign a contract for random unannounced testing all year long that can happen any given day at any given time.

 

[trux]

No, Goran, it is not random checking at a competition. I never wrote that. They can come to any training, or I beleive even to pick you up any time at home. I do not have yet the final agreement (so am not sure about the exact conditions) - it is now in the phase of completion. But the random tests will be truly random. Having the contract with the anti-doping agency was a condition for AIDA Czech Republic to get better recognition by the governemental institutions, and hence having better chance to get subventions or help when organizing events.

 

[trux]

So, what about CW and the media? We are a bit off-topic

I think that the best would be a dedicated transparent diving tower with tribunes for thousands of spectators around it. Something in the way of the aquarium in Berlin, just it would need to be a bit deeper

​

 

[Rik]

I know an abandoned, never used, mine shaft in the Netherlands, about 714 meters deep. The mine has been used in the '80's for for deep diving research. It would be great for freediving training and competitions, although the entrance is just 8 meters wide, and the water level starts at 50 meters below the surface.

 

[Kars]

To me freediving would look like 10km long track skating, dull. And yes I can appreciate good technique and different styles, and occasionally watch some WR's to see where I can improve and for enjoyment. The blink of a Freediving WR on TV is cool, and a flashy report of a World Championship is fine, but I really would not even watch when it would be on TV every month. But this is just me off cause.

Making it more TV attractive would mean making it more dramatic, dangerous, fast. These days have very short attention spans.
What you could do is have a very deep rope and NO plate or tags, allowing to athlete to turn where he wants (He could use an personal dive alarm). He would have some sort of transmitter relaying the present depth real time to the surface, measured in 0,1 M - fast moving numbers! Life commentary with three hosts, two, including a freediving legend on a commentary boat, one on the diving platforms getting the athletes surfacing and report how the dive went right after the dive was done, mixing in the matching images. In case of a life event 2 comp lines are handy for logistics and allowing the athletes time to get in and out.

About the camera's and filming, I want to see speed, wide angle, close ups, depth (3D!), movement, chase cam, struggle, emotions, drama, colourful people, rescues, stories, failure, victory, disappointment, celebrations, good looking bodies, good looking women, character.

The event should be THE event of the year, so indeed the best are there and they'll try to peak at this event. Good price money and celebrity reception, glamour etc. A bit like the Big Blue, only bigger Also betting should be put on who's going to win, out of 3 heats, with first being the qualifying heat eliminating all but the 10 best. The highest qualifier will have the last start and consequently knows what the depth to beat is.


Would I participate in this if I had the talent? If I want to be a pro or World Champion, yes.

Would popularising be good for the sport?
It could be, but not necessarily so.

One big issue for me is viewer safety, brainless copycats dying, leaving parents protesting for government action, potentially killing the training opportunities, maybe more.

In all I think we should really think deep about the entertainment value, and repeatability value. Not forgetting that governments like to promote team sports, schooling the people into teamwork.

 

[rddk]

For saefty reason you need to have the plate cuz the athlet when is over 100 +m can't start thinking ohh that's my alarm i need to turn even if he heard the alarm, lot of times if you have the free fall with your arms down you have problems to hear the alarm, i've passed the dept i was planned lot of times cuz i didn't heard the allarm. Also withouth plate people will suicide themselves, they need to annouc the dept and make it, as rik suggested a team competition will be really nice cuz it will make a lot of suspance and blackout will be reduced a lot.

 

[Kars]

I disagree with your plate suggestion.

I know the mental awareness diminishes at depth, but with some focus and an computer in the hood (around the neckweight) should audible.

Sometimes you feel really strong as an athlete, why limit those moments with a plate. I say let the athlete decide.
Sure this will bring another factor into play, but it should be not much new as top athletes are known to turn just a few meters short because something did not feel right.

When the viewers know he decided to exceed his pb, they for sure will be exited to see weather he'll be able to reach the top and do the protocol.

To limit the amount of BO's, some rules could be invented. Such as the averaging the score of the two dives to form the final ranking.

Do not forget TV viewers want unpredictable excitement, tension, danger and drama.

Remember the audiences cheer when a guy hit another BO in a boxing ring!


As a compromise for safety, the line could be lowered as the athlete falls down. A bottom camera would assist in providing images and providing enough slag as well as making sure the diver is in control. Upon turning the line will be pulled up, trailing the athlete. For safety and extra video.

 

[Rik]

Mental awareness is only part of the issue. Deep dives can affect your judgment, and you don't want to make up your mind during your attempt at depth. A computer with an audible alarm doesn't solve this problem at all.

To illustrate the problem of judgment, we can use our experience with the 2003 rules. In 2003, it was allowed to turn within 5 meters distance from the plate without penalty. Many divers decided to announce deeper dives, and make up their mind at depth if they would reach the plate. The end result was an increase in LMC's and squeezes, and the rule was revoked.

With a fixed depth, there is always a point of return. If an diver would become incapacitated, and this wouldn’t be clear from the video, the fixed depth and plate would insure the discovery of their incapacitation. While a black-out on the descent is rare, it should be kept in consideration, and using an fixed depth and plate is the easiest way to avoid a preventable accident.

The third argument against a flexible maximal depth during competitions is the safety of the safety- and videodivers during the competition. Deep technical dives do have an inherent risk of decompression sickness and can require complicated gas logistics. To be able to make safe dives, the target depth of the technical divers should be known before the competition, so that they can accomplish their work under safe and acceptable circumstances.

Excitement could be beneficial for the sport, but it should never compromise the health of the individual athlete. Squeeze’s and black-outs, even when considered benign, should be prevented and can’t be a source for the enjoyment of the public.

 

[Kars]

Rik, have you tried turning on the cue of an alarm?

Knowing your depth.
At the Nordic Deep competition there is a game called "guess your depth" and it's remarkable how many amateurs succeed in diving within 2m of the 30m depth on an unmarked rope - WITHOUT a computer!
Ok at 30m there is not much narcosis if not any at all, but it does show people are able to be rationally aware of key things they want to focus on. Turning at the beep can become automated. Granted there will be a small delay in the turn, but with practice it will be very predictable and reliable. Parachute jumpers use alarms effectively too.

Off-cause there could be a limit to the depth the plate will be allowed, maybe something like PB + 5m.

Removing the fixed plate will make it much more exiting because as a viewer you do not have the feeling the most important thing - DEPTH - is predetermined. Going down you watch in anticipation on when the guy turns, and then the next moment is to see if he'll manage the surface protocol. Followed by call of his official depth and a roar of the audience. Watching this will have people hold their breath on their seats.

Self Discipline.
About the self-discipline and responsibility of the top athletes to not overstep their personal boundaries of the day.
I think today's top freedivers are very safety conscious, and would only take calculated risks they feel comfortable with. I don't compare amateurs such as myself with these pro's, who have shown us that they will put their body first and turn when their body urges them to, knowing full well they don't want to suffer long term out of water recovery time and a destroyed season or worse. Granted that with money and pride involved, they may have to become even stronger spiritually.

Onto the safety of the diver retrieval in case of a deep BO - very rare up to now.
As stated the "plate" will ride with the athlete down AND up. The "rope" will have inside the video and light cable with additional depth gauge. Aside from that camera, there will be a SECOND camera, a parallel camera system tracing, lighting and filming from the side, eliminating the need for deepwater compressed air divers.

Risk management isn't easy. But we should not forget the athletes personal responsibility.
When a rally driver wants to die trying to win, he will. The organiser and or car manufacturer cannot compensate for every eventuality.

This video addresses a few points about "Dangerous Things"
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dE4UgY7lgI]YouTube - "Dangerous Things" by Nutnfancy[/ame]
Note: that I don't agree with every point made, but it's still an interesting video in regard to today's fear culture.

A concept drawing:

Note: At the time I did not draw a second camera where the plate is, but I'm sure you can imagine one being there.

If you are a freediver diving beyond 80m, please let us know what you think!


Love, Courage and Water,

Kars

 

[Rik]

I am familiar with the “Guess your depth” competition (judged it in 2005), and I do use the alarm settings of my D3.

The use or non-use of an alarm doesn’t change anything to the fact that depth can cloud judgment. Nitrogen narcosis, hypercapnia and hypoxia have an deleterious effect on the task loading ability during diving. And while automatisms can be used to battle narcosis, they also have caused serious accidents when the diver is unable to respond to an unplanned situation.

Making a dive to an announced depth and being aware of your own body is difficult enough. Adding an “unknown” depth where you have to decide to turn around and listening to the sound of your watch might just be too much in an competitive stressful setting.

I do know that there are divers, who could manage this, but I also know that there are enough divers who already have problems with being mindful of their own body while doing an maximal performance dive.

In an ideal world, freedivers wouldn’t get black-outs, and would never push too far. In our world, we have seen an average increase in black-outs over the past ten years at depth world championships from 5% in 2003 to 8% in 2007. If you want to be the champion, you need to push the envelope. Some are able to do that without an hypoxic syncope, other divers can’t go without.

But, having an black-out or loss of motor control is nothing to be ashamed of. This is an inherent risk of our sport. Nevertheless, as an athlete, you should have the confidence that your association is able to reduce the risk to a minimum. Proper risk management isn’t only the responsibility of the athlete, but also of the organizers of the event. CMAS rightfully received a lot of flack due their high amount of black-outs during the finale of their 2004 World Championship. During an competition, safety can’t be compromised, even if the athlete is willing to take the risk. There is too much at stake for our relative small sport.

One of the most exciting things of the team world championship are the mind games that are played between the best teams. Strategy can be a difference between winning or losing, especially if the teams are equally strong.

Suspense is easily created if the viewer can connect with a team or a team member. You don’t require to increase the risk for disqualification or introduce a variable depth to do that.

What might be an interesting question is if we would want an champions league within freediving. The last couple of years, we see a growing number of professional freedivers, and the gap between the champions and amateur freedivers is growing. A separate competition between champions could increase the suspense of the competition and could make it easy to sell to the media. An alternative for a team competition would be an all-round competition, with both attention for the all-rounders as for the specialist divers.

An seperate champions league could also increase the fun factor at the “amateur” competitions, because at some point it becomes dull to see the same people winning each time again. Perhaps we could recycle the original French performance based level system to define the line between amateur and professional.

What do you think?