Breathtaking underwater endeavours

I've got some exciting news, I'm heading to Australia in November for a couple of big freediving events. After 20 years of competitive freediving, both of these events are completely new to me!

The first, Australian Freediving Nationals in Cairns, will be four pool events over four days in a 50m pool. This is being run under CMAS rules, which I've never previously been part of. While I hold four National records in all the pool events including three Continental records under AIDA, CMAS is not part of Freediving in NZ. I intend to to set a good starting base for NZ women's national records under this authority.

The second event, the following weekend in Sydney, I'll be joining a team of 8 other elite freedivers, mostly from Australia, who are planning to set a new Guinness world record for 24 hour underwater relay. We'll swim 25m lengths underwater, as fast as we can, without fins, to achieve as great a distance as possible. At 46, I really enjoy sleeping and I'm more of a short training session kind of person, so it will be a true test of endurance and fitness, but I'm really looking forward to a new challenge in a team environment.

We're raising funds for the Australian charity Rainbow Club, as part of the relay event and hope that you will consider supporting us. I'd love to raise NZ$2000 or more for the charity we are supporting, who run a network of social swimming clubs for children and adults with disabilities.