Cayman 2005 - Freediving World Record Event
Day 18 - March 31 - All prerequisites are complete.
Let the games begin
It's the last training day of the cycle and all we
can think about is hunkerin' down at the Cobalt Coast
to watch DVDs in air-conditioned comfort tomorrow.
But before this oasis of recovery presents itself,
Mandy and Martin have one last chance to make their
variable ballast prerequisites. If they don't make
it we'll have to organize for another attempt on our
day off.
Mandy's saddling up for a 118m / 387ft drop. It's
getting harder and harder every day as training takes
its toll. As much as we nap and rest, we don't seem
to catch up. Now the rodeo chute is opening up and
the bull and cowgirl head into the arena. Mandy rides
to depth like a pro', working on body positioning and
relaxation. She touches down at 118m / 387ft, which
I can feel through the lines. Soon I'm meeting her
at 40m / 132ft. She's looking very comfortable. After
doing her recovery breathing on making the surface,
I can see that all's good even though it wasn't necessarily
the easiest dive.
Mandy's had one week less training and two seasickness
days so she's having to play catch-up quite aggressively.
We're not completely happy with the performance, but
it makes the prerequisite. There are another 7 - 13
days (we can make attempts until April 14th) to work
on variable ballast. We'll slow it down, ease back
a little and make another set of runs.
With the bull back in the chute and the next rider
ready, we set-up for Martin's 131m / 430ft variable
ballast attempt. It takes a little over ten minutes
to retrieve the sled from 118m / 387ft, adjust the
counterbalance line and ready for another drop. This
whole time the safety team remains at depth while we
feverishly re-rig and go through safety checks. All's
set and ready to roll. Martin finishes his last preparation
breathe-up.
Our safety divers are at 110m / 360ft armed with
quick lift bags. Video cameras are rolling as Martin
zips down past them at almost 1.6m/s or 5ft/s. Bill
can see Martin make his depth, dismount the sled and
start his calculated pulls to the surface. The safetys
know to give the athletes no more than 10 seconds at
the bottom before they deploy the safety ascent bags.
Bags which would lift the whole system and the athlete
to the surface in case of an emergency.
At 40m /132ft I meet up with Martin and we make our
way to the surface. Martin's breathing is easy after
just completing 131m / 430ft. There's a big sigh of
relief now that both Mandy and Martin have made their
prerequisites. Now it's Doc's turn to continue his
journey downward.
It isn't an easy day for Doc. Although our videos
may show the lightheartedness, fun and frivolity at
the beginning of training, things are becoming more
serious. The calculated execution of the dives is hard
work, regardless of the depth. Each of us has our own
real and imaginary barriers that we need to chip away
at piece by piece. Freediving may seem extreme, but
we don't see it that way. Sure, there are calculated
risks which we constantly work to evaluate, minimize
and/or correct so that in the end we create the most
comfortable training environment with the best safety
procedures. This is what enables the athletes to perform
at their best.
Doc's first dive is to 55m / 164ft run. Unfortunately,
he bails at 50m / 164ft and returns to the surface.
It's up to each athlete to monitor their internal environment
and, if need be to end their performance if they feel
they've reached their maximum for that session.
The next two dives pan out in the same way. He hits
48m / 157ft, then 30m / 99ft. Each day of training
Doc makes three dives. However, when it comes to the
record attempts this won't be the rule -- only one
attempt per day will be the rule. So far he's been
pretty consistent in making his target the first time.
But, as the coach, I have to wonder whether that's
because he knows he'll get another attempt. In the
next three day training cycle I'll adjust the attempts
to more closely simulate actual record-making conditions.
Doc's not very happy with his performances today,
and the calculating mind is already working on what
needs to be corrected. I think that the multiple dives,
multi-day training is taking its toll and by day three
there's not much juice left. During the next cycle,
with just one attempt a day, I believe he'll do better.
So, with this cycle finished we take an early lunch,
a nap, get ready for dinner, and prepare ourselves
for a much needed day of rest. No Island touring. No
waterpark surfing. No nothin'!! Just groceries and
DVDs in the air-conditioned comfort of unit #29 at
Cobalt Coast.
|
