The whole reason for a weekend in Salzburg was so that Elmar could compete in the Austrian championships. Unfortunately, coming down with a head cold 2 days beforehand meant competing was out.
What is freediving I hear you ask? An extreme sport that involves holding you breath whilst diving. An extreme sport in which I would have zero talent. My ‘tour guide’ however, happens to be one of the best in the world placing third in the recent European Championships with a time of 8.24 mins.
Yes, minutes!
Yes, that is a VERY long time!
(Eating his bronze medal…)
So I have learnt a lot about freediving over the past months. The different disciplines – static, fin swimming and depth diving – and on this Saturday in November I find myself watching a group of extreme sports people at an indoor pool.
(Static. How long can you hold your breathe for)
(Dynamic, no fins. How far can you swim with one breath without fins)
(With fins. Or a monofin!)
I can’t say that freediving is the best spectator sport. Watching someone lie face down in a pool during the ‘static’ competition doesn’t give amazing photos. It is however edge of your seat nerve wracking if you know someone competing. While he may be one if the best, I am kind of relieved not to watch Elmar compete. Watching someone come up for air and then having to hit a yellow paddle to show they are ok….. I think I would be more nervous than him!
While not competing, it was still clear to see that he was very welcomed and admired by everyone there. Apnea rock star!
Best of all, at the end of the day, even I got a medal! And better still, it was chocolate 🙂
