Team USA freedivers Mandy Sumner and Kurt Chambers of Kailua-Kona are hosting the state’s largest international competitive freediving event, Freedive Paradise 2015, from 9 a.m.-noon today through Sunday at Puuhonua o Honaunau in Captain Cook.
Team USA freedivers Mandy Sumner and Kurt Chambers of Kailua-Kona are hosting the state’s largest international competitive freediving event, Freedive Paradise 2015, from 9 a.m.-noon today through Sunday at Puuhonua o Honaunau in Captain Cook.
Competitors from the United States, China, England, Israel, Sweden and Kuwait will participate in the free three-day event.
Hilo’s Justin Reinicke also will suit up for the event, in which divers partake in a depth competition composed of three disciplines: constant weight, constant no fins and free immersion.
The first two disciplines require the diver to kick down a line set to a maximum depth of 105 meters, the first with fins and the second without. The third discipline requires the diver to pull down the rope without kicking.
The Big Island is a world-renowned freedive location because of its easily accessible depths a short swim from shore. Freedive Paradise 2015 will solidify Hawaii’s presence and join the ranks with other international host countries such as Egypt, Italy and Greece.
For more information, email swimuh@gmail.com or visit worldsteam.usfreediving.org/