Extraordinary Freediving Records Made
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In this fictionalized movie she is persuaded to train to break a freediving World Record that is currently held by an American woman. Danai´s training is overseen by a doctor who hides a medical condition from her that threatens her life and that causes tragedy when Danai and Maggie (the American woman) compete.
In real life Danai set an extraordinary world record in 1999 in Spetses Island in Greece, when she dove to 35 meters and back to the surface, in only 71 seconds. What makes this record extraordinary is that she set it without using a mask, fins or a wetsuit.
Danai (25) has not tried any world record attempts lately as she has been finishing her studies at university. Naturally the topic of her studies is "Science of the Seas" which includes hydrology, marine biology etc. Danai also got married and became a mother eight months ago! Now she has decided to continue her career as a freediver.
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Danai training for her record attempt
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During the Annual Diving Festival in Kalymnos in Greece Danai made her first record attempt after her break. Despite unfavorable weather conditions including rough sea, winds measuring 7-8 on the Beaufort scale and strong underwater currents Danai dived in the "Natural Freediving" style to 37 meters in 1 minute and 22 seconds, achieving her new record. She made the record under the guidance of her doctor and trainer Dr. Nikolas Trikilis.
Another promising Greek freediver, Thomas Thomaides (29) has been diving since he was a little kid. He practices "Historical (or Traditional) Freediving", which is not yet official Freediving category but probably will be in the future. "Historical Freediving" in practice means that the diver carries a stone (or "skandalopetra" in Greek). This kind of diving has its roots in Greek history when sponge divers in Kalymnos used this method. Thomas made his first record attempt in "Historical Freediving" on September 11th by diving to 55.20 meters in 1 minute and 48 seconds! He is also guided by Dr. Nikolas Trikilis. Thomas is widely regarded as a very promising freediver.
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Thomas training for his record attempt
The same day that Thomas made his record, the first woman in the history made her record in "Historical Freediving" by diving to 18 meters in 29 seconds. She is Tiia Maria Porri (24) and she is from Finland.
Photos are taken by Nikolas Reissis.
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