New Zealand Freedivers are amongst the World Elite
... and although the sport is young in New Zealand, internationally freediving is considered a serious and very competitive sport.
New Zealand Freedivers hold 2 of the current Freediving world records, the latest of which were achieved at an event held in Wellington 9th - 12th August 2008. and during the World Champs held in the Bahamas, November 2009.
New Zealand Freedivers Kathryn McPhee and David Mullins were voted the Worlds best freedivers in the ICARE trophies announced December 2008, they also took out #1 world rankings in their specialist disciplines of Dynamic No fins, and #2 spot for Static Apnea. David also secured the #1 spot in Constant Weight with fin, along side fellow Kiwis Guy Brew ( static ) and William Trubridge ( Contstant weight no fins and Free Immersion).
2009 saw more Kiwis awarded with iCARE trophies, Suzy Osler voted the worlds best female emerging freediver and Kerian Hibbs voted the worlds best coach.
The story of NZ freediving success doesnt stop there, the world top 20 rankings include Marcus Thompson ( Dynamics no fins) Niki Roderick (Constant weight no fins) Ant Williams ( dynamic with fins and Constant Weight with fins)and Kerian Hibbs (Free Immersion) AIDA NZ members ( both British resident in NZ) Ruth Griffin ( Dynamics with fin) and Phil Clayton ( dynamics without fin) are also included in this prestigious line up.
With such a wealth of talent, AIDA NZ is charged with the responsibility of supporting our elite athletes by facilitating competition in New Zealand and internationally as with any sport grassroots activity is important too and AIDA NZ wants to promote the sport at club level. To maintain consistency in the sport AIDA NZ engages the rules of AIDA International standards and selects internationally qualified judges for every world ranking competition.
AIDA NZ believes that divers should be aware of the risks of the sport and promotes safe diving by compiling appropriate references and contact information for freediving courses run in New Zealand.