US and Continental Freediving Record for Robert King.

Online, April 22, 2010 (Newswire.com) - The United States Apnea Association (USAA) is pleased to announce that Robert King, a USAA member, set a new national freediving record for swimming to depth with a fin while holding his breath to a depth of 87 meters (285 feet) on April 21, 2010 at Dean's Blue Hole on Long Island in the Bahamas during the Vertical Blue Suunto Dive Off competition. He has broken his own record of 84 meters (276 feet) that was set in 2009 at the AIDA Depth Freediving World Championships.

This area of competitive freediving is known as the discipline of Constant Weight (CWT). The two other self-powered disciplines are free immersion and constant weight without fins. Robert set a new US National Record in the free immersion discipline just three days ago while competing.

Rob made the round trip in two minutes and forty-four seconds. Rob took his last breath at the surface and packed on extra air before rolling over and beginning his descent. Freedivers use packing to increase the amount of air in their lungs above what can be inhaled normally by pressurizing their lungs. Rob's descent was right on schedule. He returned to the surface and after a quick surface protocol received white cards from the judges. Before leaving the competition area he said, "The dive was easier than I thought it would be."

Rob later stated, "I'd like all of my dives to feel like this one-that was fun. Hats off to Kimmo Lahtinnen, Pim Vermeulen, and Grant Graves for the time and effort they and the new AIDA Board are spending to improve AIDA this year-important changes for having AIDA operate like the world-class governing body that it should be. Your efforts are much appreciated."

Vertical Blue is annual competition hosted by world record athlete William Trubridge. William is also an athlete in this competition. For updates checkout, http://www.vertcalblue.net/news

Constant Weight (CWT) challenges the athlete to swim to depth and back with the use of fins or a mono fin under their own power while holding their breath. The athlete is not allowed to contact the competition line other than to recover their tag at depth while turning. Upon reaching the surface the athlete must perform a surface protocol within fifteen seconds of their return to the surface. Constant Weight is one of the most respected and contested disciplines in freediving.

Free Immersion (FIM) is the freediving discipline that requires the athlete to pull their way to depth and back using their hands to pull down and up the competition line. The athlete recovers a bottom tag and returns it to the surface where they must complete a surface protocol for the judges.

Constant Weight No Fins (CNF) tests the freediver's ability to swim to depth and return without the use of fins while holding their breath. CNF is one of the most difficult disciplines in freediving. Athletes use a modified breaststroke technique to propel themselves to depth and back.

The USAA is a nonprofit association founded on the democratic representation of freediving within the United States and internationally. Founded in 2003, the USAA consists of an active membership dedicated to furthering freediving in the United States and abroad. For more information about the USAA, the U.S. National Freediving Team, and membership please visit http://www.usfreediving.org.

The International Association for the Development of Freediving, AIDA, is the international sanctioning body for freediving, individual and team competition, and freediving world record attempts. For more information about AIDA please visit http://www.aidainternational.org.