The Gulfstream Open Freediving Competition is scheduled for July 25 to 26 off the coast of Lighthouse Point and Pompano Beach. The event is being organized by Fort Lauderdale-based Freediving Instructors International.

Athletes will compete in up to three disciplines: constant weight (in which the diver moves on human power), constant weight no fins, and free immersion (in which the diver pulls himself or herself down and up with a rope and no leg propulsion).

Constant weight is considered by many freedivers to be the most athletic discipline. Martin Stepanek, a principal at FII, is the current world record holder in this discipline and in the free immersion discipline.

Participants will include spearfishermen, hobby or sport freedivers, and competitive freedivers. Each participant will leave the boat and dive down to his or her announced depth where he or she will retrieve a tag. On clear days, spectators can watch the diver swim down 40 meters before disappearing into the depths.

According to organizer Jared Schmelzer, “There will be deep safety divers on mixed gas, a counter ballast safety system, and safety freedivers to exceed normal safety standards and provide redundancy in the system.”

Schmelzer said that he is expecting a lot of interest from both competitors and volunteers.

“The goal is to have competitions and events that bring different aspects of diving together, and also have an event that will help American freedivers gain international points for future competitions.”

For more info contact Jared Schmelzer at jaredschmelzer@mac.com.