Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Longest Apnea in a Cave - Carlos Coste sets world record
 Quintana Roo, Mexico--Venezuelan champion freediver Carlos Coste swam 150 metres (492ft) through a cave system without using any breathing apparatus - setting the new world record for the Longest Apnea in a Cave .
   Photo: Freediver Carlos Coste set a new world record by swimming 150 metres through a cave while holding his breath and using no breathing apparatus.
  ( enlarge photo )

"I have been doing competitive diving for 10 years and this is by far the most bizarre run I have ever made."

Carlos Coste had to cover 75 metres for a new world record, but the Venezuelan swam double that in two minutes and 30 seconds.

  The risky feat was achieved, using only a large flipper and a torch, through a passage inside Dos Ojos, a colossal cave network that twists for 31 miles under Yucatan, Mexico.

  "I have been doing competitive diving for 10 years and this is by far the most bizarre run I have ever made," he said.
  "To achieve this is a dream come true for me. I have been interested in speleology (the study of caves) since I was a little boy and to combine this with my profession as a freediver was amazing."

 Mr Coste can hold his breath for seven minutes but he completed his record-breaking run in just two minutes and 30 seconds after three years of planning.    

 Planned meticulously by his wife and manager Gabriela Contreras, 45, the extreme attempt has been three years in the making.

   The pair selected the chosen tunnel a year ago and have since been preparing him for the attempt.

   'This hasn't been done before,' Mr Coste added. 'But Guinness World Records said I would need to make at least 75 metres to have a world record.

The Guinness World Record for the longest time to hold your breath underwater is 18 min 32.59 sec and was achieved by Karoline Mariechen Meyer (Brazil) at the Racer Academy swimming pool, Florianopolis, Brazil.

Mr Coste also became the first person to descend to more than 100 metres just by pulling on a rope in October 2003.

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Related world records:
Longest Open Saltwater Scuba Dive - Ivan Zhelezarov

Completing most watersports in a day  - Guy Cribb

Deepest free immersion dive - William Trubridge

Most Water Skiers Behind a Boat - Horsehead Waterski Club

Longest Open Saltwater Scuba Dive - Will Goodman

Longest swim-world record set by Martin Strel

Most people in a cold water swim - Long Beach Polar Bears

Longest swim in a lagoon-world record set by Mauro Giaconia

Youngest relay team to swim the English Channel -  English swimmers

Most miles paddled in 24 hours on Stand Up Paddle Board - Justin DeBree

Longest Stand Up Paddle board journey - Justin DeBree

Fastest row across the Atlatinc - La Mondiale

Fastest race around the 'World' - Rohan Veal

Unassisted free diving world record - William Trubridge

Freediving World Record

Longest paddleboard journey set  three world records

Fastest round the world sailing - Francis Joyon

Tuesday, November 9, 2010