Performance Freediving Cayman 2004 - World Record Attempts
Cayman Islands, March 8, 2004
Athletes from the Performance Freediving team are currently training in the Cayman Islands working to best four world records between March 21st to 27th. Mandy-Rae Cruickshank (Canada) and Martin Stepanek (Czech Republic) will be attempting world records in the disciplines of constant ballast and free immersion.
In Freediving athletes descend to and ascend from depth without the use of scuba equipment but with the simplest of equipment such as mask, fins and wetsuit. Freediving history dates back at least 4500 years to the pearl divers of the south pacific and today enjoys a wide popularity both recreationally and competitively.
Mandy-Rae Cruickshank is a 29 year-old, three time world record holder from Vancouver, Canada. Her first record, held in September 2001 Grand Cayman was in the category of No-limits where she achieved a depth of 136m / 447'. In No-limits an athlete rides a weighted sled to depth and then an air bag back to the surface. In May 2002 she set her second world record in static apnea, holding her breath for time at the surface, and achieved a time of 6:16. In September 2003 she set a record of 41m / 136' in Constant ballast without fins by breast-stroking to depth and back. Mandy is required to achieve 71m / 233' to break Tanya Streeter's world record. However, Mandy's constant ballast target is a depth of 80m / 263'.
Joining Mandy is her team mate Martin Stepanek from the Czech Republic. Martin is 26 years old and also holds three world records. In May 2001 Martin set his first world record in static apnea achieving a time of 8:06. In September 2001 by pulling down to and up from depth without fins he set the free immersion world record to 90m / 295'. In June 2003 at the Sony Freediver Classic in Cyprus, Martin set the world record in constant ballast. He swam down to and back from a depth of 93m / 305' with fins. Martin is required to achieve 96m / 315' to break Herbert Nitsch's current world record in constant ballast. However, Martin's target is a depth of 100m / 328'.
Mandy and Martin are working with coach and trainer Kirk Krack, founder of Performance Freediving. Kirk is also the President of the Canadian Association of Freediving and Apnea (CAFA) and Vice-President of the Association for the International Development of Apnea (AIDA), the world governing body for the sport of freediving. Kirk is currently organizing the 4th AIDA Freediving World Championships in Vancouver, Canada, August 4th - 12th, 2004.
The members of Performance Freediving teach educational clinics around the world and are involved in both team and athlete development.
For daily logs, pictures and video clips of the training and progress go to www.performancefreediving.com.
For media or spectator attendance or to receive pictures and updates, please contact Kirk Krack at 604-862-5868 off-island, or currently on-island at 345-927-0208, or email at kirk.krack@performancefreediving.com.
