The official competitions held in Soufrière, Dominica, under the governance of the International Association for the Development of Apnea -AIDA- concluded the season with an exceptional series of performances. Events such as Deep Dominica and Blue Element brought together international specialists who delivered multiple world and continental records across technical disciplines including CWTB, CNF and FIM.
On December 1, Alexey Molchanov achieved a new AIDA world record in Constant Weight Bi-Fins (CWTB) with a 127-meter dive during Deep Dominica, pending validation. AIDA highlighted that it was “his second CWTB world record this year and his 41st under AIDA.” Molchanov explained that moments like this remind him of “the focus and the silence” he finds on the rope, expressing gratitude to the team that supported the attempt.
World record in CWTB and new achievements in Dominica
Molchanov added that completing this performance in Dominica reinforced what he values about the sport: “the people who share this journey with me.” He emphasised the support of the community and the technical staff, which proved decisive in a dive that extends his international record-setting career.
The competitive cycle also produced several continental milestones. On November 23, Enchante Gallardo of the United States reached 101 meters in Free Immersion (FIM) during Blue Element, followed shortly after by a 105-meter Constant Weight (CWT) performance. She described closing her season “with gratitude for everything achieved,” noting that the previous day’s attempt was cut short due to equalisation issues. Gallardo acknowledged the work of the organisers, the safety team and her coaches.
Continental progression: FIM and CNF lead new marks
In Constant Weight No Fins (CNF), South African athlete Natalie Rudman set a new continental record with a 64-meter dive on November 25 at Deep Dominica. She explained that CNF “pushes my limits” and requires sustained mental presence throughout the dive. Rudman also highlighted the support she received in Dominica and described each dive as an opportunity to identify both technical and personal adjustments, framing the discipline as part of an ongoing learning process.
On the global stage, Ukrainian diver Kateryna Sadurska achieved an 86-meter CNF world record during Blue Element, pending official approval, before later extending the mark to 88 meters —her ninth world record in the discipline. Organisers noted that she is known for expanding the boundaries of no-fins freediving.
Colombian athlete Sofía Gómez also stood out with a 110-meter performance in Constant Weight (CWT), establishing a new Pan-American record and acknowledging the guidance of her coach and the event’s safety personnel. Slovenian diver Mojca Haberman added another notable performance, finishing as overall female winner while also securing gold in CWT, silver in FIM, bronze in CNF and a national record. She expressed satisfaction with her results and thanked the organisers and technical teams for their work throughout the event.
