Blue Hole Dahab
One month ago, I returned to my lovely Dahab. My mission: to break the Free Immersion and Variable Weight records. :)
I had 2 weeks to train before I would do the national record attempts. The first week of training was supereasy. It took me only a few days to get back to my old depths. I was doing PB after PB. Hooray for dry training!
But the second week I became insecure and even scared. The limited time to train gave me so much stress. I didn't feel ready, I was struggling with relaxation, I didn't believe in myself anymore and I almost gave up.
Luckily I was surrounded by amazing people who kept me going.
Early morning visualisation by the beach!
April 28th was D-day! I announced 46m Free Immersion and 56m Variabel Weight.
In the morning I started getting nervous. A private national record attempt is more relaxed then a competition, but knowing that so many people (judges, safety fivers, coach, ...) are there only for you, is still quite stressfull.
During the attempt, I really surprised myself. I was focused, calm and relaxed. Totally the opposite off how I felt during the trainings. The FIM dive was so easy. It was the longest FIM dive I ever did and it felt so comfortable. The VW dive was even more amazing. For the very first time I didn't swallow my mouthfill and I didn't have to recharge. I was even a bit dissappointed when I reached the tennisball. With still so much air in my mouth, I just wanted to keep going deeper...
So I got 2 white cards and 2 new national records!
Photos by Huub Waaldijk
Because the VW dive was so easy, we decided to continue my training. The day after the first national record attempt, I surprised myself again with a 60m NL dive. So we decided I could not go home without that last No Limits record and we organised a 2nd national record attempt on May 1st. I announced 61m NL, and yes, I got a white card again and a 3rd national record.
Photos by Grit Bünker-Wohlfarth
I am blessed with having such a great support team! Pim, thank you for the coaching and organising the attempts! Hussein and Waleed for judging. Gritti, Peter and Helena for keeping me motivated to train and for the safety. Eric and Cedric for kicking my ass in the pool. Huub for taking pictures. Everybody in Marine Garden Camp for pampering me all day. And much love for all my Bluside, Wolu Plongée and Dahab buddies.
Federico, I could never have done this without you! I am superhappy I met you last year and I can't wait to go back in the water with you in August!
With my coach, judges and safety divers! - Photo by Huub Waaldijk
I had special company during this trip. Quentin Jardon (journalist and editor-in-chief for the belgian magazine 24h01) is writing a big article about freediving in Belgium. He came all the way to Dahab to follow my national record attempts today.
On one of my restdays, we threw him in the water and we made him hold his breath! Under the guidance of Peter Wydmuch - Freediving & Immersion Dahab, he succesfully did his AIDA 1-star with relaxed 12m-dives. Well done, Quentin!
Quentin doing his first dives! - Photos by Peter Wydmuch
It was an amazing experience. I learned a lot! About deeper training and about myself. I am superproud that I have all the depth records on my name.
And now... back to pool and cold quarries, brrr! :)
See you in the blue!
Inge