On November 10, 2002 at 10:31 am, Free diver Patrick Musimu, triple world record holder from Belgium, broke the variable weight category free dive world record by diving 120 meters and breaking the surface with such vitality which has not been witnessed before at such extreme depths in the clear blue waters of the Riviera Maya. This event was sanctioned took place in Riviera Maya, Mexico and was sanctioned by A.I.D.A., the international associaton for development of apnea. With a 15 man team of safety divers from BAHIA DIVERS, doctors, paramedics and the staff of the SSS HYPERBARIC CHAMBERS, all assisted Patrick Musimu and his coach, Isabelle Hamel, to accomplish this feat after training 6 weeks at the Bahia Principe Resort.
Upon breaking the world record, Patrick Musimu expressed joy that he had accomplished his goal and thanked his sponsors and supporters for their encouragement. He now plans to relax with Dr. Brian LaPointe, Senior Scientist with the HARBOR BRANCH Oceanographic Institution who is a world authority on water quality and coral reefs. They will be exploring all the natural wonders of the Riviera Maya which will include cave diving, experiencing the submarine springs and scuba diving off the second largest coral reef in the world.
This event was filmed by an NBC NEWS affiliate and will be made available to every NBC NEWS STATION in the USA. This event will also be aired on the news program NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE on the NATIONAL GEO CHANNEL. Exact times will be announced at a later date.
