Only One Freedive Center brought competition spirit back to Sharm El Sheikh with a 10-day AIDA Depth event. Immersion was fully present—Pim as main judge and co-organizer, and Aruna as safety freediver in the water.
Fourteen athletes—eight men and six women—stepped up to the line, completing 46 dives in total. The sea greeted us kindly at first, offering two days of smooth, effortless conditions. But after the rest day, the ocean showed its true character. Shifting currents tested athletes and organizers alike, slowing the pace and forcing everyone to adapt and causing delays.
Despite the challenges, the event became something remarkable. Ten National Records fell, and the spotlight shone on the incredible Alenka Artnik. With nothing more than her humble baby rubber fins, she descended to 85m and later to 93m—both dives executed with flawless control and her signature radiant smile.
In the end, what stood out wasn’t just the numbers, but the spirit: a close-knit gathering of athletes, organizers, and friends sharing the sea in a family-like atmosphere. We closed with a beachside ceremony in Sharm, already knowing this was only the beginning. More competitions at Only One Freedive center are on the horizon.
Pictures by Renata Romeo
