R.I.P. Raimondo Bucher

[spaghetti]

It would be sad if nothing was said on Deeperblue in honour of Raimondo Bucher, a pioneer of UW activities, who passed away a few days ago at the age of 96.
An italian (just like so many "fathers" of the underwater sports), Raimondo set the first ever officially certified freediving world record in 1949, diving 30 meters in the Gulf of Naples, at the presence of officials of the italian water sports federation.
You may say: 30 meters, pfui...but at that time it was a serious dive and moreover, calling federal officials to attend and certify, he was the man who got started the history of freediving as a "sport".
In 1952 he did a better 39 meters, and in the same year ('52) he also became italian national champion in spearfishing too.
His love for the submerged world was total and complete. He also made great achivements in UW photography (he designed the first UW camera housing with O-rings), scuba diving (he used a Gav jacket of his own design) and UW docu-film (in 153 he lead the expedition in the Red Sea for the shooting of the famous movie "Sixth Continent").
In 1956 he discovered one the most amazing spots for archaeo-diving of the Med, when he found and explored the ancient roman submerged town of Portus Julius, off Naples Baia.
He continued to dive following his various interests until he was very old: still in 1995, at the age of 85, he made a docu-film on the Klearkos wreckage at the depth of 83 meters.
He once said: "You're old when you give up enjoying the essence of life, when you loose the enthusiasm that children have as they're discovering the world".

Rest In Peace, comandante Bucher!

 

[H.Balázs]

Rest in peace Raimondo!

As far as I know, he had hungarian roots also. He is a real legend for the after-ages, and the pioneer of the so called 'modern' apnea.

"Nyugodj békében Raimondo!"

Balázs

 

[spaghetti]

Yes indeed he was born in Hungary from italian father and hungarian mother.
We may share the pride for this great man.

 

[BennyB]

Thanks for letting us know Spaghetti, very sad to see one of freediving's forefathers leave us. But still - if I make it to 96 years old and do 10% of the stuff he's done then i'd die a very happy man, it's always nice to see a life not wasted.

RIP

 

[Adrian]

A first underwater hero! Oh to have dived in those times when the sea was still relatively unspoilt, especially in tropical waters - so many new and unexpected treasures and adventures. Those were real pioneering days, can you imagine just marvelling at all you can see and explaining it to a vast majority who's main idea of depth in water was to submerge their head in a bathtub? Rest in peace and thank you thank you thank you for being one of the first who helped open the path for the rest of us.

 

[billieball]

Wow...I never tire of learning about the history of freediving. Bucher sounds like he was quite a man. Hope there's plenty of freediving for him to do on the "other side!"

 

[billieball]

Here is a link to a youtube video about one of the first media-covered events that Bucher took part in:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGRHuy8mkTY]YouTube - I records di Raimondo Bucher[/ame]

 

[samdive]

That's so sad, I wrote about him in one of the first ever courses I put together.

96 though - not bad heh!!

 

[Spaniard]

RIP Raimondo, I remember reading about him in different books and magazines, i'm glad he kept up his passion until such a ripe old age, something for all of us to aim for

 

[Erik]

Celebrate an adventurous life!

 

[rxcnc2]

Raimondo Bucher had an amazing life and set an inspiring example. Together with Folco Quilici, he made possible the movie "Sesto Continente" (the sixth continent) which made an incredible impression on me when I was a kid.
He passed away on September 9.

About the youtube clip, a few comments since not everybody may understand the italian voice-over. With his wit and his modesty, Bucher comments two of his records. The first one to -30m in the Bay of Naples. Just look at his fins and mask to realize that it was no trivial feat. He dived without any wetsuit in 14C water (and air colder too). There is no evidence of special breathing or other preparations, but I guess it was essentially nihil. You may notice that he holds a speargun in his hand, making the dive even stranger by today's standards. He explains that it was not meant as ballast, as often heard, but only to show that a spearfisher could descend to such depths and catch his prey.

The second record was to -39m, but he says that the movie shown is actually a remake done for the Sesto Continente. On the day of the real attempt, he says it was cold and so dark that he could not see anything at the bottom. Note also how they are measuring the line: quite possibly it was way over the nominal length. Interestingly, Bucher recalls that he had been warned by a german doctor not to pass the 30m depth.

R.I.P. Commander!

 

[jay cluskey]

rip realy sorry to hear about his passing but 96 thats amazing
i spoke to an old man whilst working in his house. he flew lancaster bombers and he even played football for england as well .he said to me im 92 you know son ..i replied to him , 92 id love to live to be that old .. he then said to me , well you would if you were 91.. i was creased but it shows you a lot about spirit and enthuisiasm in the older generation