Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands — On just day two of PFI’s annual freediving competition — Deja Blue II — even more American records have been set. Newcomer Grant Hogan, of Modesto, California, completed a very clean no fins dive to 65 meters (213 ft) in just 2 minutes and :45 seconds. Wearing only 4 lbs of weight for his CNF attempt, as of May 8, 2011, the 22 year-old Hogan now victoriously holds the national men’s title for the United States.
“I am very happy that I was able to execute the CNF dive. I am very grateful for all the support I have around me here in Cayman, especially my training buddy Erin Magee. She has shown me so much.” Hogan is looking forward to a well-deserved day of rest but promises to try to go even deeper later in the comp. A native from Norcal, Hogan now lives in Fort Lauderdale, FL where he works as a dive master for Sea Experience, is sponosred by UnderExplored.com, and trains with PFI.
Yesterday, Hogan’s training partner and PFI staff instructor, Erin Magee also broke her own national record (that she set the previous day) in Constant Weight (CWT) with a dive to 75 meters (246 feet). The dive took 2 minutes and :24 seconds. Erin’s performance marks her third national record. Erin said, “I am so excited to be dong so well. The dive felt so good. I am looking forward to seeing just how far I can take it in the next few days.”
Additinally, fellow PFI alum Ashley Chapman (nee Futral) bettered her own no-fins performance with a CNF dive to 55 meters (180 feet). Ashley’s dive took 2 minutes and :35 seconds. Ashley’s latest swim elevates her to Continental and Pan American Record status, on top of her US Record status. A member of the US Women’s Freediving Team in 2008 Ashley said, “I am blown away to have been able to make a five meter jump over my last dive. I was not expecting to set the Continental and Pan American records when I came to Cayman, so with a bit of rest and a few more good dives I am really excited to see what I can manage next.”
DeeperBlue congratulates all the divers on their excellent accomplishments.