Bronze Medal

Our son Sean and granddaughter Kaia stopped in for a few minutes this evening. I could see Sean had something behind his back and Kaia had a little smile on her face.

Nosy me had to ask what he was hiding. Sean asked Kaia what he was hiding and she said, “Nothingggggggg”. “Oh, yes he is”, I said. “What is it????”

With a huge grin on his face he pulled out his BRONZE MEDAL to show us. First medal ever and is he proud of it? YES!

Sean enrolled in a freediving course at UBC after having watched a freediving demonstration last year and again this year at the Vancouver Aquarium. He would have taken the course last Spring but it is quite expensive and he had to think about it for a while. It’s exhiliarating to watch and think about but it scares me to think of actually doing it - the pool is one thing, but in open water in BC it sounds scary to me - even though I used to Scuba dive. Sean isn’t afraid of much though and he loves the water.

The ‘Freediving Breath-Hold Diver-Apnea’ course is taught by Performance Freediving International from Coquitlam.

Freediving or breath-hold diving is a type of advanced snorkeling and water adventure that allows enthusiastic men, women and youth to experience the sights, sounds and challenges of the most natural of underwater experiences.

Of course Sean has excelled in the course and enjoys it very much. All the students were invited to attend and take part in the Western Regional Competition held this last weekend in Vancouver at the UBC Aquatic Centre.

Friday night he entered the ’swimming underwater on 1 breath, for maximum distance’ event and did very well but was disqualified as he forgot to say, “I’m okay” when surfaced. He remembered at 18 seconds but 16 is the maximum. He would have placed second and was a little disappointed, but hey, you have to have a goal to strive for…

I’m a detail person and had to ask how, when, where, etc., as it’s hard to comprehend without having seen. The divers start in the water at the edge of the pool - each in a lane. There is a countdown and the events are timed. 3 safety divers were in the pool along with 2 judges. The divers are watched very carefully in case of problems and one diver passed out underwater and another passed out when he surfaced - there’s a lot of stress entering any competition and this is even more difficult as it involves holding your breath and strenuous swimming. One of Sean’s competitors, who took the gold medal was from Oahu, and impressed Sean with his superb ability. Next time Sean goes to Hawaii he’ll have a buddy to go scuba diving and free diving with!

Sean didn’t get back Saturday for the competition but Sunday he attended and certainly did not forget the rules. He entered the ‘Dynamic Apnea with Fins’ event and swam 59 meters underwater, on one breath and won the bronze medal!

He will be on the Canadian Association of Freediving and Apnea website and ranked on AIDA - the international association.

Hey Sean, your Dad and I are VERY proud of you - Congratulations!!!!

Placing in the Western Regional Competition is just the start - soon the whole family will be heading off to the National’s and ultimately the ‘World’s’ if I know Sean!

Stumble It!