In the thrilling world of apnea, two names stand out brilliantly: David Spreitz Elings and Julia Kozerska. Both have left an indelible mark on the discipline, demonstrating their skill, dedication, and passion for the sport. David, recently awarded the title of Overall Male Winner at the 32nd AIDA World Championship, and Julia, who set three personal records and won the Molchanova Award at the 30th Pool World Championship in Jeju, are exceptional examples of excellence in freediving.
David Spreitz Elings has been immersed in the world of freediving for about 12 years, though he started competing around 4 years ago. His interest in the sport was sparked when he was teaching his stepson to swim at a local pool. This experience rekindled his love for the water and led him to discover freediving as an ideal way to share a hobby with his family. After joining a local club and becoming an instructor, David has explored different environments, from cold lakes to exotic destinations like Egypt and Malta.
David describes freediving as an experience that allows him to connect deeply with nature and himself. The sensation of weightlessness, the calm, and the meditation he experiences underwater are aspects he greatly values. His favorite discipline is static apnea, due to its mental focus and applicability to other disciplines, although he faces significant challenges in dynamic apnea without fins (DNF), which he considers the most demanding in terms of strength and technique. David has ambitious goals for the coming year, including 10 minutes in static apnea (STA), 250 meters in dynamic apnea without fins (DYN/DYNB), and 175 meters in dynamic apnea without fins (DNF), in addition to making progress in depth disciplines.
On the other hand, Julia Kozerska, who began practicing freediving in 2011 after a lifesaving course challenged her to swim underwater, has achieved impressive success. At the 30th Pool World Championship in Jeju, Julia managed to set three personal records, a national record, and a world record, establishing herself as the overall winner and receiving the Molchanova Award. Julia values freediving for the strength and patience it has given her and decided to compete to explore new challenges and experiences in her life.
Dynamic apnea without fins is Julia’s favorite discipline, as it brings her great joy, although she considers dynamic apnea itself as the most challenging due to the need to rely solely on muscle strength. Her advice for beginners in freediving is to be patient and learn from mistakes. Although she used to play volleyball, the limited time between her professional career and freediving training has reduced her ability to practice other sports.
Both David Spreitz Elings and Julia Kozerska have not only achieved impressive feats in the realm of freediving but also represent the dedication, passion, and spirit of the sport. Their stories not only inspire those in the world of freediving, but also highlight the transformative power that this sport can have on the lives of its practitioners.
