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PFI Presents Bob Croft - "Freediving in the Begining"

Robert "Bob" Croft is the father of American freediving. He was the first and only American to break world records in freediving in the early days of the sport. Prior to his involvement Europeans were doing everything. He brought America into the world of freediving. If it were not for him, Americans may never have taken up the sport.

Bob was a submariner in the US Navy. He had worked with the submarine bailout training. Naval doctors had realized that Bob had much larger lungs than normal people do. In 1967, Bob began to make record attempts and conduct medical research with naval doctors investigating his ability to dive deep. Bob set his first world record this year. This achievement thrust Bob into the world media and America with it. Prior to Bob entering the records, the greats had come from Italy and France. The characters in the movie The Big Blue were based on the real life competitors that Bob challenged for his own records.

Over two years Bob mastered a technique to allow him to pump more air into his lungs than can be taken in by a normal breath. This technique is known as Buccal Pumping. It is the same technique employed by modern competitive freedivers. Bob pioneered this technique. The first record on blood shifting in the human body while freediving was discovered while studying Bob on his dives.

Bob ultimately set the record for diving to 73 meters or 240 feet in 1968. He had established himself as a world-class freediver. An injury forced him to stop diving for records shortly after his last record. But, Bob's impact has been felt ever since. If it had not been for Bob Croft America may have never entered the world of competitive freediving.

Bob continued his career as a navy diver for many more years. He continued to be studied by naval doctors. Bob has since become an ambassador for the sport of freediving. He has continued his involvement in the sport and continues to do talks about his experiences in the late sixties even today.

For information or to get tickets email Kirk Krack

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