Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. 13-16 November, 2016.

After the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural event, the Australian Freediving Association returned to Tulamben, Bali. Partnering with Apnea Bali, the competition was another great success.

The competition was run under AIDA International rules. There were three competition days. Overall standings were determined by adding points from each discipline (1 point per metre of depth, less any penalties).

The 2016 Australian National Depth Champions, were Amber Bourke from Brisbane Freedivers and Jack Hatfield from Sydney Freedivers. See below for a full list of results.

Sponsors

Athlete list

Overall Results

Daily Results

Results from each day of the competition. CWT is constant weight, CNF is constant weight without fins, and FIM is free immersion, AP is the announced performance (the depth the diver plans to dive to), RP is the realised performance (the depth the diver gets to), card is coloured card received (R is red – disqualification, Y is yellow – penalties apply, W is white – full points awarded), NR means National Record, SP means disqualification due to incorrect surface protocol, BO means disqualification due to blackout, and No tag means a bottom tag was not retrieved (penalty of 1 point). A point is given for each metre of depth. Where the athlete’s performance is less than the announced depth a penalty is applied of 1 point per metre that the athlete is short.

Prizes

Overall winners
Overall female winner Amber Bourke and overall male winner Yoram Zekri each received a $250 in-store voucher with Sydney Dive Safari. Sydney Dive Safari has one of the largest retail showrooms in Sydney and stock a broad range of quality brands across scuba diving, snorkelling, freediving, spearfishing and stand up paddle boards. In addition to the full range of scuba courses, we also offer snorkelling, freediving and workplace first aid courses from entry level through to instructor.

Best Newcomer
Thanks to Mares the best newcomer, MJ Kühn, received a grey Smart Apnea Computer, valued at $495! The best newcomer is the athlete (of either sex) who has never competed in an AIDA depth competition before who accrues the most points across the three disciplines (only one performance from each discipline counts towards an athlete’s overall points). The Smart Apnea represents the evolution of the Nemo Apneist, becoming the benchmark dive computer for the most demanding spearfishermen and freedivers. Smart Apnea is very simple and intuitive to use. Managing and accessing all functionality is now a breeze, thanks to new improved software and two control buttons. Instant depth information, dive time, water temperature, descent and ascent speeds, can all be viewed on the display during every dive.

Special Prize
The special prize of an orange Mares Smart Apnea Computer was open to all athletes and support team. It was awarded by jury to organiser Julia Dominguez, as someone who embodies the spirit of freediving competition. This prize has generously been donated by SSI, a leading freediving certification agencies and has a RRP of $495! The Smart Apnea represents the evolution of the Nemo Apneist, becoming the benchmark dive computer for the most demanding spearfishermen and freedivers. Smart Apnea is very simple and intuitive to use. Managing and accessing all functionality is now a breeze, thanks to new improved software and two control buttons. Instant depth information, dive time, water temperature, descent and ascent speeds, can all be viewed on the display during every dive.

Australian champions
Thanks to Mares the 2016 Australian male and female depth champions, Jack Hatfield, and Amber Bourke, each received a Mares Viper mask, with an RRP of $129 each. Developed in partnership with the best athletes in the world and dedicated to the most demanding freedivers and spearfishermen. Mares designers have created a mask with innovative technical features and a unique, striking design.

Support crew lucky-dip
The support crew is an important part of any competition. Thanks to SSI we are able to show some appreciation to these unsung heroes. Livio Berra and Elianne Dipp each received a Mares Viper mask, with an RRP of $129 each. Developed in partnership with the best athletes in the world and dedicated to the most demanding freedivers and spearfishermen. Mares designers have created a mask with innovative technical features and a unique, striking design.

Athlete lucky dip
Thanks to In da surf Bali, Danny Hurst won a fantastic lucky dip prize of a 4 day/3 night “surf and stay” package for two people with valued at US$400. The prize includes airport pick-up/drop-off, accommodation for 3 night/4days, breakfast, 3 private surf session (6 hours), surf spot transfer, surf board rental, lesson video analysis, “In da Surf” t-shirts.

White-card lucky dip
Getting all white cards is the aim of the game to have a successful and safe competition. All athletes who achieve three white cards, went into the draw for an $50 voucher thanks to Encounter Freediving, Australia’s specialist freediving store. Danny Hurst, from Melbourne Freedivers, who had a great first competition, won the prize!