The United States Apnea Association (USAA) has just announced that Deron Verbeck, a USAA member, set a new national record in the freediving discipline of free immersion to a depth of 61 meters on May 1, 2006, off the coast of Kona, Hawaii.
This performance surpasses the previous record of 51 meters set by Dr. George “Doc” Lopez in April of this year in Grand Cayman during Sink Faze 2006 as covered by DeeperBlue.net
Two AIDA International judges from Canada judged Deron’s performance. Deron dived to depth and returned without difficulty. He finished off his surfacing protocol by stating, “I’m Okay. I am good enough, I’m smart enough, and gosh darn it people like me.” to top off a strong performance.
Free immersion is the freediving discipline that requires the athlete to pull their way to depth and back using their hands to pull down and up the competition line. It is one of three recognized self powered disciplines in the diving to depth arena. The other two are constant ballast and constant ballast without fins. Both require the athlete to swim to depth and return under their own power.
The USAA is a nonprofit association founded on the democratic representation of freediving within the United States and internationally. Founded in 2003, the USAA consists of an active membership dedicated to furthering freediving in the United States and abroad. For more information about the USAA, the U.S. National Freediving Team, and membership please visit www.usfreediving.org.
