Altitude Apnea Challenge
February 7th and 8th, 2026 at CCMRD Aquatic Center. Spectators are welcome to attend this first ever event.
What is Freediving?
Freediving is diving underwater on a single breath without scuba equipment. It's one of the oldest forms of diving, relying on breath-hold, technique, and mental focus to explore beneath the surface.
The Origins Humans have been freediving for thousands of years. Ancient cultures dove for food, pearls, and sponges. Modern competitive freediving emerged in the 1960s when divers began pushing depth and distance records, transforming it into an internationally recognized sport.
Dynamic vs. Depth Dynamic freediving measures horizontal distance—swimmers glide underwater in a pool as far as possible on one breath. Depth freediving measures vertical descent into open water, with athletes diving down a line and returning to the surface.
Colorado's First Competition Colorado is hosting its first freediving competition, a landmark event for high-altitude freediving. At elevation, there's less oxygen available, making breath-holds more challenging and training adaptations crucial. This competition puts Colorado on the map as a unique training ground where athletes develop exceptional lung capacity and mental resilience.
Why You Should Freedive Freediving offers remarkable mental benefits including stress reduction, improved focus, and meditative calm. Physically, it strengthens lung capacity, core muscles, and cardiovascular health. Best of all, freediving welcomes everyone—there's no age limit. Whether you're 15 or 75, you can learn and progress at your own pace.
Getting Started with Freediving
#1 Rule in Freediving: NEVER DIVE ALONE. Always have a buddy.
If you want to freedive, you must be certified under a recognized organization such as PADI, SSI, Molchanovs, AIDA, or similar agencies.
Learn to Freedive in Colorado:
Explore the World of Freediving
Watch:
- The Deepest Breath (Netflix) - A gripping documentary following elite freedivers as they pursue world records, showcasing both the sport's beauty and the critical importance of safety and training.
Track the Sport:
- USA Freediving AIDA Federation (https://usafreediving.com/) - The national governing body for freediving in the United States, promoting safety, education, and competition development across the country.
- AIDA International (www.aidainternational.org) - The worldwide federation for freediving, setting international standards, safety protocols, and maintaining official world records across all disciplines.
- Freedive Ranking (www.freediveranking.com) - See where athletes rank and track record progressions.
Deep Dive into Knowledge:
- Molchanovs Online - Free educational resources and training programs from the freediving education system.
- DeeperBlue.com - The freediving community's hub for news, forums, gear reviews, and training tips.
- "Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves" by James Nestor - A fascinating book exploring the science and culture of freediving.
