253 metres: the absolute freediving depth record

The most spectacular achievement in terms of depth remains associated with Herbert Nitsch. On 6 June 2012, in Santorini, Greece, the Austrian descended to 253 metres in the discipline known as No Limit. The principle of No Limit differs significantly from traditional competitive freediving disciplines. The freediver can use a weighted device to descend rapidly and an assisted system to return to the surface. The effort required for propulsion is therefore reduced, but the physiological stresses caused by the extreme depth become considerable. The dive had serious consequences for Herbert Nitsch, who suffered a severe decompression accident after returning to the surface. No Limit now occupies a particular place in the history of freediving and is not one of the depth disciplines currently contested at major international championships. The diver was equipped with a Breitling dive watch, and the brand subsequently produced a tribute model, the Chronomat 44 “Flying Fish”. In the women’s category, the historic No Limit record is held by Tanya Streeter, who reached a depth of 160 metres in 2002.

Constant weight freediving: descending and ascending under your own power

Constant weight, or CWT (Constant Weight), is one of the major disciplines of modern freediving. Unlike No Limit, the freediver descends and ascends under their own power. The athlete generally uses a monofin or fins. The weight carried at the start cannot be dropped during the dive, hence the name constant weight. Performance depends on a balance between finning technique, relaxation, pressure equalisation and oxygen management. As depth increases, the pressure exerted on the body also becomes a determining factor. The world’s leading specialists now reach depths well beyond 120 metres in this discipline, although records continue to evolve and may differ between AIDA and CMAS. The current men’s world record in constant weight freediving with a monofin is held by Russian freediver Alexey Molchanov, with a depth of 136 metres, set in 2023.

Constant weight without fins: one of the most demanding disciplines

CNF (Constant Weight Without Fins), or constant weight without fins, requires the freediver to descend and then ascend without using fins and without pulling on the line. Propulsion relies primarily on movements of the arms and legs. This makes the discipline particularly demanding in terms of energy expenditure. Croatian freediver Petar Klovar set the AIDA-certified men’s world record at 103 metres in May 2025. In doing so, he surpassed William Trubridge’s previous mark by one metre, a record that had stood for nearly nine years. Constant weight without fins clearly illustrates the difficulty of comparing freediving records. Reaching a depth of 100 metres without propulsion assistance represents a very different challenge from a much deeper descent in No Limit.

Free immersion: descending by pulling on the line

Free immersion, known by the abbreviation FIM (Free Immersion), also eliminates the use of fins. However, unlike constant weight without fins, the freediver can use the vertical line to pull themselves down and back up with their arms. This technique allows for steady progression and generally encourages a highly controlled approach to the dive. In the men’s category, Petar Klovar reached 135 metres in 2023, a major benchmark in the discipline. In the women’s category, the record has recently progressed. Hungarian freediver Zsófia Törőcsik reached 107 metres in August 2026, after having already achieved 105 metres a few months earlier. Free immersion is now one of the established disciplines in international depth competitions.

Dynamic apnea: distance records in the pool

Leaving the sea does not mean giving up the pursuit of records. In the pool, freedivers no longer aim to descend as deep as possible, but instead to cover the greatest possible distance underwater on a single breath. This is the principle of dynamic apnea. Several categories exist depending on the method of propulsion used. Freedivers can use a monofin, bi-fins or swim without fins. The distances achieved are considerable. In June 2026, Polish freediver Mateusz Malina covered 325 metres in dynamic apnea with fins at the World Pool Freediving Championships in Budapest. This distance is equivalent to six and a half lengths of a 50-metre Olympic-size swimming pool, completed underwater without taking another breath.

Dynamic apnea without fins: more than 250 metres underwater

Dynamic apnea without fins, or DNF (Dynamic No Fins), applies a principle in the pool comparable to constant weight without fins in depth disciplines. The swimmer moves forward using only their arms and legs. The challenge is to find the best balance between speed, glide and oxygen conservation. Mateusz Malina achieved a distance of 252 metres without fins in Budapest in June 2026. The difference between the 325 metres achieved with fins and the 252 metres without fins illustrates just how significantly the method of propulsion affects performance. These two results therefore belong to separate categories, with each constituting a specific record.

Dynamic apnea with bi-fins: a category in its own right

The use of bi-fins also has its own category. It must be distinguished from dynamic apnea with a monofin, as the propulsion techniques are different. The same distinction exists in depth competitions. Having multiple categories makes it possible to compare performances achieved with similar equipment and techniques. A record set with a monofin therefore does not replace a record achieved with bi-fins or without fins.

Static apnea: the record is measured in minutes

Static apnea follows a completely different principle. Depth and distance are no longer factors: the athlete remains motionless, generally with their face submerged, and attempts to hold their breath for as long as possible. As energy expenditure is deliberately minimised, performance depends on relaxation, breathing preparation and the ability to progressively manage rising carbon dioxide levels and decreasing oxygen availability. In traditional sporting records without prior inhalation of pure oxygen, men’s performances have exceeded 11 minutes. French freediver Stéphane Mifsud notably made history in the discipline with a breath-hold of 11 min 35 sec achieved in 2009. However, these performances must be distinguished from voluntary breath-holding records achieved after breathing pure oxygen. These follow a different protocol and can reach considerably longer durations. They are therefore not directly comparable with traditional competitive static apnea.

Why are there several freediving world records?

The differences between records are mainly explained by the rules imposed on athletes. A 253-metre dive completed using a descent device and assisted ascent does not involve the same constraints as a dive beyond 100 metres performed solely through the strength of the arms and legs. The main categories can therefore be summarised according to their objective and technique:

• No Limit: attempting to reach the greatest possible depth with mechanical assistance permitted under the rules of the discipline.
• Constant Weight with Fins (CWT): descent and ascent powered by finning.
• Constant Weight with Bi-Fins (CWTB): the same principle, using two fins.
• Constant Weight Without Fins (CNF): descent and ascent without fins.
• Free Immersion (FIM): progressing by pulling on the line with the arms.
• Dynamic Apnea with Fins (DYN): maximum distance in a pool using fins or a monofin, depending on the rules.
• Dynamic Apnea with Bi-Fins (DYNB): distance in a pool using two fins.
• Dynamic Apnea Without Fins (DNF): maximum distance without propulsion equipment.
• Static Apnea (STA): maximum breath-hold duration without movement.

These disciplines can also be supplemented by specific categories, including records in freshwater, under ice or in para freediving.

AIDA and CMAS: why records can differ

Another difficulty arises when simply asking, “What is the freediving world record?” Several international organisations officially recognise performances. AIDA International has historically played a major role in competitive freediving and maintains its own rules and records. CMAS also organises international championships and maintains its own record tables. A performance may therefore be recognised by one federation without necessarily constituting the official record of the other. Categories, ratification procedures and competition calendars are not always identical. To accurately compare two performances, it is therefore necessary to check the discipline, gender, governing body, date and conditions under which the performance was achieved.

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Editor: Éric Barse

Journalist, entrepreneur, and founder of the websites www.cafe-racer-only.com and www.scooter-3-roues.com, Eric Barse divides his time between his passions: motorcycles, travel, and watches. A graduate of the Saint-Cyr military academy and the 2nd RPIMA (Parachute Regiment) before pursuing a career in communications and digital media, he has a true passion for authentic watches that have accompanied his two-wheeled adventures for many years, from the Indian Ocean to Africa and Latin America!