The maximum recorded depth achieved during a free dive.
In the crystal-clear waters off the coast of Croatia, a rich underwater biodiversity thrives, but it's not just the marine life that's attracting attention. The region has also become a hotspot for free divers, athletes who dive to extreme depths using only their lungs.
Free diving is an intense sport that often leads divers to compete to set depth records. One such competitor is Herbert Nitsch, known as the "Deepest Man on Earth." Nitsch has made a name for himself by breaking records and pushing the boundaries of what is thought possible.
In 2005, Nitsch achieved a remarkable feat, diving to 172 meters (564 feet) in a No Limit free dive in Croatian waters. This record didn't last long, as in 2006, Nitsch reached 183 meters (600 feet) in the same discipline. But it was his 253-meter (830 feet) dive in 2012 that cemented his place in the history books, a record recognized as the current all-time world record for No Limit free diving by Guinness World Records.
Nitsch isn't the only record-breaker in the world of free diving. In 2004, Loiç Leferme reached a depth of 171 meters (561 feet) in the No Limit discipline, a record he held for a year before being surpassed by Nitsch. Leferme, who was part of the early community around AIDA and helped to shape the organization's rules, diving categories, judging criteria, and safety protocols, tragically died during a training session in the French Riviera in 2007.
Another notable figure in the world of free diving is Natalia Molchanova. Before her tragic disappearance in 2015, Molchanova held numerous world records, with her deepest dive being 101 meters (331 feet) in the Constant Weight With Fins discipline.
Alexey Molchanov, Natalia's son, has also made a name for himself in the world of free diving. He has set multiple world records in various disciplines, including a deepest dive in the Variable Weight (VWT) category of 156 meters (512 feet) in 2023.
Other notable record-breakers include William Trubridge, known for deep free dives to similar depths, and Alessia Zecchini, who holds the women's world record for the deepest dive in the Constant Weight With Fins (CWT) category at 123 meters (404 feet).
Free diving is a sport that requires athletes to master techniques such as Constant Weight, Variable Weight, and Free Immersion, which require rigorous physical and mental training. Despite the risks, these record-breakers continue to push the limits, diving to depths that once seemed unimaginable.
While James Cameron's historic submersible dive to the Challenger Deep (near 11,000 meters) is a deep-sea submersible dive, not a free dive, it's a testament to the fascination with the depths of our oceans. For competitive free divers, the deepest official record in competitive freediving reaches about 125 meters, with Alexey Molchanov currently holding one of the deepest recognized records.
Free divers use minimal equipment like fins, masks, and weight belts, making their achievements even more impressive. As these athletes continue to push the limits, the future of free diving promises to be as exciting as the past.
Free diving is a thrilling sport that pushes the boundaries of what is thought possible, with athletes like Herbert Nitsch, known as the "Deepest Man on Earth," consistently breaking records and setting new depth records. Despite the risks, free divers such as Alexey Molchanov and Alessia Zecchini continue to master techniques like Constant Weight, Variable Weight, and Free Immersion, diving to depths that were once unimaginable.
