F.R.E.E. announces the following changes, to take effect immediately:??
– The Unlimited Variable Ballast category has been permanently eliminated from our list of official competitive categories. No more requests for verification of record attempts on this category will be accepted. The current records, both male and female for fresh and salt water, will remain in our list of "Official Records" as the last performances verified and accepted for this form of freediving. We find that this category does not represent a true athletic achievement. Furthermore, due to recent events related to this category, which culminated with the tragic death of a diver attempting one of such records under the auspices of another organization, our Board of Directors has come to the decision that dives in this category are unacceptably risky and unsafe.
– The Limited Variable Ballast category has been temporarily cancelled from our list of official competitive categories. We have determined that the current regulations and requirements enforced by F.R.E.E. for this category do not offer a satisfactory level of safety. A new Emergency and Rescue system is being developed by F.R.E.E. for use in all competitive categories. Once this system has been satisfactorily tested and implemented, and its use become mandatory for all record attempts verified by F.R.E.E., our Board will decide whether the Limited Variable Ballast category can safely be reinstated to the list of official competitive categories.
– The following restriction applies to all three categories in the Constant Ballast group. Requests for verification of attempts in any of these three categories will be accepted only if the maximum depth of the attempt is 80 meters/262 feet. A new Emergency and Rescue system is being developed by F.R.E.E. for use in all competitive categories. Once this system has been satisfactorily tested and implemented, and its use become mandatory for all record attempts verified by F.R.E.E., our Board will decide whether athletes will be allowed to attempt records deeper than 80 meters/262 feet depths in the Constant Ballast categories.
Rudi Castineyra – President
F.R.E.E. International
