Most people would consider going 100 metres underwater a challenge, even with scuba gear. But for New Zealander William Trubridge, that is how deep he went in April to set two new free diving world records.

The two records were set at Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas at the Vertical Blue 2008 Invitational Freediving Competition. The first record William set was 86 metres for the “constant weight (no fins) category, holding his breath for 3min 20sec as he descended and ascended unassisted by any weights, fins or a line. Three days later he broke the “free immersion” record, pulling himself down a line to 107 metres and then back up to the surface.

William uses an Orca Apex 2 for freediving as it provides ideal hydrodynamics, with a balance of speed, flexibility, buoyancy and protection from the cold. He now gets a few months off before heading to Egypt for the AIDA Team World Champs in September.

Fellow New Zealander Kathyrn McPhee, who also uses Orca wetsuits, was also at the competition and was successful in breaking a number of national records. In the free immersion category Kathryn dove to 57 metres, beating the previous New Zealand record by a massive 17 metres. She also set a national record in the “constant weight (with a mono-fin)” category at 65 metres and for “constant weight (no fins) at 50m.

Check out William’s website www.verticalblue.net for more information about the competition and the sport of freediving.