National record falls at Freediving NZ Depth national champs

Ali Al Kalifa after surfacing from his record breaking dive (credit Freediving New Zealand)

National record falls at Freediving NZ Depth national champs
For immediate release
27 March 2015 – Lake Taupo

Freediving NZ has announced that a new national record for Saudi Arabia
has been set at their annual depth championships held at Lake Taupo last weekend

The record set by Auckland based Ali Al Kalifa on day 2 of the competition saw Al Kalifa dive to a depth of 36m in the Free Immersion discipline. The dive was completed in 1:54s and was rattified by official AIDA International Judges.

“Despite appearing to have a tangle with his lanyard at the start of his dive, Ali completed an excellent clean dive for this new National Record, said Head Judge and ex World Champion Guy Brew. “ we were all delighted for him and look forward to seeing him further deepen his dives in the future.

Al Kalifa didn’t dissapoint, deepening that record to 40m on the final day of the competition, reflecting on the dive Al Kalifa described the 40m dive as being relaxed and pleasant

The freedivers, predominantly from New Zealand but including Australian and Saudi Arabia registered divers, saw depths as deep as 60m being reached. The competition was held in Lake Taupo, close to Motutere Island in approximately 90m of water.

“There is a lot of training involved for all athletes, Ali particulary has put a lot of hardwork in to achieve these national records” said Phil Clayton, competition organiser.

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About Freediving New Zealand

Freediving New Zealand ( formerly AIDA New Zealand) is the governing body of Freediving in New Zealand, and is part of AIDA International who sanction national and world records in the 7 disciplines of the sport.

New Zealand boasts several world records, and many top 10 ranked divers amongst its 4 clubs based in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North and Wellington.

The New Zealand National Record holder for Free Immersion is William Trubridge, set at a depth of 121m on the 10th April 2011

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