Freediving Competitions
The eight different disciplines in which freedivers compete require different training and hold different rules and qualifiers. While some freedivers hold records over more than one discipline, most disciplines have different specialist freedivers holding the records.
The different rules and equipment for each discipline are administered and monitored by AIDA, through an online system,
No Limit (NLT)
The ultimate competitive depth diving. The freediver uses a ballast weight to descend as far as they can, before ascending with the use of a balloon and a diving vest with inflatable compartments.
Variable Weight (VWT)
The first of the depth disciplines to use a sled to go down in the water. The freediver still uses a ballast weight to descend and can pull on the rope to ascend, if they prefer. Old sleds descended head fist, however newer sleds descend feet first.
Constant Weight (CWT)
Constant weight is the most common sportive depth discipline of freediving and one of the three disciplines considered for the international competitions by team, along with Static apnea and Dynamic with fins. The freediver descends and ascends using his fins and arms, almost without any pulling on the rope and without changing his ballast.
Constant Weight Without Fins (CNF)
The freediver descends and ascends under water using only his own muscle strength, without the use of propulsion equipment and without pulling on the rope.
Constant weight without fins is the most difficult sportive depth discipline, as it contains no materials to aid descent and needs perfect coordination between movements, equalization, technique and buoyancy.
Free Immersion (FIM)
The freediver dives under water, by pulling on the rope during descent and ascent.
Performances could be done the head first during the descent, or the feet first, or even a mix of the two, depending on equalization facilities of each freedivers.
Dynamic With Fins (DYN)
This discipline focuses on distance, with the freediver travelling in a horizontal position under water, using only fins or a monofin and swimming movements with the arms. The performances must occur in pools with a minimum length of 25 meters to count towards official records.
Dynamic Without Fins (DNF)
As above without the aid of fins, this discipline focuses the most on technique.
Static Apnea (STA)
The only discipline concentrating only on the duration of breath hold alone. The freediver holds their breath in a static position with their head or whole body immersed in the water. Performances can be done in both pool or open water.
