Free Diving: Duo reach new benchmarks

Wanganui freediver Tania Rounthwaite set a new PB in her dives while coming second overall at the Wellington Winter Championships in Porirua at the weekend. Photo/File

Wanganui free diver Tania Rounthwaite came second overall behind good friend and training partner Kathryn Nevatt at the 2014 Wellington Winter Championships at the weekend.

The 40 year-old Rounthwaite, who has a career-best AIDA women's world ranking of No2, also behind the dominant Nevatt, finished her various disciplines with results of 4.36 minutes in the static (holding breath), a 112m depth in the dynamic without fins and a new personal best of a 151m depth in dynamic with fins.

"I'm thrilled to finally push past a barrier that has been hindering me for a while and add almost a length to my personal best," said Rounthwaite.

Both she and Nevatt, 34, finished ahead of all the other competitors, male and female, to be first and second overall.

Palmerston North-based Nevatt held her breath for an outstanding 7.40 minutes to set a new national record in static, adding six seconds to her personal best while being ranked No1 in the world by AIDA so far in 2014 as well as third in the all-time rankings.

She also dominated the dynamic dives, reaching depths of 143m and 152m respectively on a single breath.

These dives require the competitor to reach their depth and return to the surface under strict rules about not losing consciousness, even just a momentary "blackout".

"I didn't expect to be ready to break a record at this competition. It's the start of our indoor season and I have not yet reached my peak," said Nevatt.

"But the static felt great, I was really relaxed and clear headed the whole way through and was able to stay calm and just enjoy being in the water."

Competing at Porirua's Arena Aquatic Centre, Hamilton's Sam Barnes, 59, was third overall and first male.

Rounthwaite trains at the Wanganui Splash Centre and also in Palmerston North.