Kona, HI – The United States Apnea Association (USAA) has concluded the 2006 National freediving competition in Kona, Hawai’i. USAA is the AIDA affiliate in the United States.
Competitor Julie Russell reports from the scene:
Kona, Hawaii seemed to be the perfect site for the 2006 US National FreedivingCompetition organized by USAA President, Grant Graves. The event took place over three days; Friday-Sunday, September 15-17, challenging athletes in disciplines involving time, depth, and distance. It attracted competitors from all over the US, and distances as far as the Bahamas, Australia and New Zealand.
The static competition was held Friday at Jack’s Diving Locker. US competitors Annabel Briseno and Jessica Wilson began their friendly mother-daughter rivalry by each turning in 6 minute-plus performances. Walter Steyn of Australia surfaced clean and set a new Australian Men’s record with a performance of 7:02.
The Constant Ballast disciplines took place on Saturday in Kealakekua Bay off the shores of Kona.
Most athletes realized their announced performances, and 3 new National records were set in almost pristine conditions. Walter Steyn added two more Australian Men’s records under his belt in the Constant No Fins and Free Immersion categories with performances of 66 and 39 meters respectively. Julie Russell of the US turned in a 43 meter Constant No Fins dive to set a new US Women’s National record for that discipline.
The competition concluded at the Kona Community Aquatic Center. With the outstanding support of the Aquatic Center staff, spectators, judges, and athletes alike basked in having the entire pool and facility to themselves. The pool was set to 50 meters length, the only downfalls being the bulkhead turn on one end, and the depth change from 4 feet to 12 feet. Nonetheless, US competitor Glen Garret realized an impressive Dynamic No-Fins performance of 105 meters, setting a new US Men’s Record. Because he is more than fifty years old, Glen also established a new US Men’s Senior Record at the same time.
The final results tallied: Jessica Wilson and Craig Gentry are the 2006US Freediving National Champions.
Complete Results:
Women Dynamic
Place Name Nationality AP RP Penalty Points
1 Jessica Wilson USA 50M 110M None 55
2 Annabel Briseno USA 40M 106M None 53
3 Juliana Howe USA 75M 102M DQ 0
4 Julie Russell USA 75M 138M BO 0
Women Dynamic No Fins
Place Name Nationality AP RP Penalty Points
1 Annabel Briseno USA 75M 88M None 44
2 Jessica Wilson USA 75M 81M None 40.5
Men Dynamic
Place Name Nationality AP RP Penalty Points
1 Anthony Williams NZL 100M 185M
2 Glen Garrett DNF USA 50M 100M None 50
3 Craig Gentry USA 50M 81M None 40.5
4 Andy Norlander USA 50M 64M None 32
5 Walter Steyn AUS 55M 200M DQ 0
Men Dynamic No Fins
Place Name Nationality AP RP Penalty Points
1 Walter Steyn AUS 60M 107M None 53.5
*2 Glen Garrett USA 50M 105M None 52.5
3 Craig Gentry USA 25M 48M None 24
Place Name Nationality AP RP Penalty Points
1 Annabel Briseno USA 4:00 6:11 None 74.2
2 Jessica Wilson USA 4:00 6:07 None 73.4
3 Juliana Howe USA 4:30 4:32 None 54.4
4 Julie Russell USA 3:00 3:18 None 39.6
Men
Place Name Nationality AP RP Penalty Points
* 1 Walter Steyn AUS 5:30 7:02 None 84.4
2 Anthony Williams NZL 5:00 6:47 None 81.4
3 Craig Gentry USA 3:00 4:01 None 48.2
4 Deron Verbeck USA 6:00 6:13 SP 0
4 Glen Garrett USA 5.00 5:03 BO 0
4 Andy Norlander USA 4:00 4:06 BO 0
* New Australian Mens National Record
Women
Place Name Nationality STA CWT DYN Points
1 Jessica Wilson USA 73.4 54 55 182.4
2 Annabel Briseno USA 74.2 55 53 182.2
3 Juliana Howe USA 54.4 52 0 106.4
4 Julie Russell USA 39.6 40 0 79.6
Men
Place Name Nationality STA CWT DYN Points
1 Anthony Williams NZL 81.4 59 87.5 227.9
2 Walter Steyn AUS 84.4 66 0 150.4
3 Craig Gentry USA 48.2 30 40.5 118.7*
4 Glen Garrett USA 0 DNS 50 50
5 Andy Norlander USA 0 8 32 40
NA Deron Verbeck USA 0 Withdrew
*National Champion
Women CWT
Place Name Nationality AP RP Penalty Points
1 Annabel Briseno USA 55M 55M None 55
2 Jessica Wilson USA 54M 54M None 54
3 Juliana Howe USA 52M 52M None 52
4 Julie Russell USA 40M 40M None 40
Women CNF
Place Name Nationality AP RP Penalty Points
* 1 Julie Russell USA 43M 43M None 43
* New US National Women’s Record
Men
Place Name Nationality AP RP Penalty Points
* 1 Walter Steyn CNF AUS 66M 66M None 66
2 Anthony Williams NZL 86M 73M
3 Craig Gentry USA 30M 30M None 30
4 Andy Norlander USA 57M 33M 8
* New Australian Men’s CNF National Record
