Aarhus Triple Challenge 2007

One year had passed since I attended my first freediving competition, which was also in Århus. Going back there this time, there were quite a few expectations to meet. It was my first pool competition with the new monofin and the last rehearsal before the WCh. So, according to Murphy’s law, something had to go askew.

I missed the first day of the competition since I had my last exam that Friday, but straight after that was done, I went to catch the plain. Finally I made it to Copenhagen after a 1,5 hours delay, which meant I had to take a later train, arriving in Århus at 1 o’clock in the night! Then Peter, who was supposed to meet me, had went home to Randers. In the end it was the saving angel Kurt (organizer of the competition) who picked me up and got me a place to crash for the night.

Saturday I did a 4 min static and a 100m dynamic with fins, but much more important (and much more fun) was diving with sharks at Kattegatcenteret. It’s hard to explain the feeling of freediving/playing around in this HUGE aquarium with fish, stingrays and small sharks, and even look out on the people! I went into the water in my suit first, since the water was only 15 degrees. But Anneli didn’t have her suit and she managed, so I decided to give it a try.

With the freezing water that almost took my breath away, I really felt I was freediving. Gliding effortlessly around with the sharks and feeling my pulse drop down… Next time I wanna jump in with the BIG ones!

Sunday gave me at least one ok dive, but also a lesson to take home. With some nice coaching by Yamina, I managed a 5.33 in STA, which was enough to satisfy me for this time. For the dynamic, I looked at Peter doing his 214m, Yamina doing her 149m and really imagining myself doing a long dive as well, at least touching 150m. When the countdown started, I felt myself being straight down nervous, for the first time.

So of course my mind played a trick on me, convincing me that there was no way I could go all the way. Just before the turn at 50m I got my contractions (pretty much like normal), and I just gave up. I came up so disappointed, not caring to do any SP or anything and feeling like a complete failure.

This was my first overall bad competition without any PBs, national records or other things to feel good about. But when thinking about it, this was bound to happen sooner or later. So I’ve chosen to make this a lesson for the future, not set up the expectations and a fixed goal, but doing what I do because I love it. After all, the reason why I do freediving competitions is because I like to challenge myself and the limits. Then there’s no giving up…