National Records Smashed At Wellington Winter Champs
In what has to be one of NZ’s more sensational competions this weekend, some amazing performances were witnessed by a larger than normal crowd at this weekends Wellington Winter Champs hosted by Lazy Seals Freediving Club at Porirua Aquatic Centre.
Day 1 kicked off with Statics, however despite the usual nature of this competition, it was hugely exciting. Guy Brew showed the crowd who were watching with amazement, what a World Class performance looks like, with a very clean exit from a 9 min 3 second Static, this is Brew’s 3rd national record from 3 competitions in a row, and his progress is showing that he will be a force to be reckoned with at the World Champs in Denmark late next month.
Dave Mullins stepped into the water, and as usual with Dave the crowd was silent with amazement as he swum past his current world record of 213m in the Dynamic No fins discipline, turned at 225m, and kept going! Mullins exited at 232m, looking like he had just swum one length, delivered his usual effortless ” I’m ok” to the judges, to the applause and screaming of supporters.
Kiwi Girls showed what they are made of too. Kathryn McPhee showed us what a world class athlete she is with a 152m DNF – 1m past her current world record, and Suzy Osler, cemented her position as one of NZ’s top freedivers with a 188m DYN, securing her a new National Record. Both Women will be representing NZ at the World Champs next month, and are poised to make waves when they hit the water.
A National record was also achieved for Brittan by Ruth Griffin with an impressive 164m DYN.
Day2 was also action packed, with all NZ men completing dives longer than 150m, Dave Mullins once again showed us how its done with a slow, deliberate and precise DYN exiting at 201m and Guy Brew pulling off a personal best, with an amazing 226m. An incredible feat on the back of his record breaking 9m static the day before!
Kathryn McPhee set a new DYN national record of 191m on the back of her big swim the previous day. Kathryn was happy to have claimed back her NZ record, and looks strong to take it ever further in the future.
Alistair Eddie set a new South African National record with a 99m DNF.
Next big event is World Champs, with Kathryn, Suzy, Guy, Kerian, Chris and Will, all going to represent NZ, we are certainly going to see some amazing performances based on this weekends achievements!