🌎 CMAS includes the master category for over 50 years in outdoor freediving competitions

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The World Underwater Federation (CMAS) has published on October 8, 2019 its new regulation for deep apnea competitions (Outdoor CMAS Free Diving Competition Rules – 2019) where one of the most interesting modifications indicates the age categories, in which the minimum age for official competitions of 18 years is specified, as well as the inclusion of a master category for athletes over 50 years. The original article in the regulation in English indicates the following:

1.1.7 Categories 
1.1.7.1 The official competitions are organized for men and/or women who are at least 18 years old. Athletes over 50 years can participate at Masters Category. They can compete in the same competition but will have a different classification. A Master athlete, if he wants, can ask for participation at Seniors category instead of Master.

On July 20, 2019, as we reviewed in Sportalsub.net, the Cuban-American freediver Francisco “Pipín” Ferreras set a new world record by descending -106 meters in the apnea no limits modality, in the master category for those over 55 years set at -105 meters, which had been unbeatable for over 40 years and had been made by the great Jacques Mayol.

This record was recognized by CMAS, published and officialized on its website on October 6: Freediving World Record No Limit Master 55

Pipin published in his instagram his thanks to CMAS for the inclusion of this age group.

 

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Gracias infinitas a todos los que a lo largo de muchos años me apoyaron, creyeron en mi y me motivaron tanto espiritual como sentimental. Gracias a ti amor de mi vida Audrey por estar vigilándome constantemente y guiándome en mis largas horas de meditación y elevación espiritual; como ángel de mi guardia eres excepcional en la manera que logras nuestras conexiones. Millones de gracias especialmente para Nina que ha estado a lo largo de estos últimos 8 años batallando a capa y espada para que mi quimera se cristalizara, sin tu apoyo no me hubiese sido posible. Una ves más gracias a todos los buzos aseguradores y asistentes operativos que trabajaron incansablemente para que este récord se hiciera realidad y gracias a la CMAS por haber incorporado esta modalidad Masters la cual de seguro muchos Apneistas agradecerán.

Una publicación compartida por Pipin Ferreras (@pipinferreras) el 10 de Oct de 2019 a las 5:39 PDT

At the moment this master category in apnea is only mentioned in the 2019 outdoor competition regulations, however the indoor or pool competitions could also be included in an upcoming update of the indoor regulation dated 2018.

This opens up the possibility of including this new category in national and international competitions governed by CMAS standards for “old school” freedivers who are still active, or for those who start in the sport at more advanced ages.

New security procedures for CMAS International Championships

Likewise, together with the update of the outdoor apnea regulation, CMAS published on October 8 a new document of Safety guidelines and procedures for international apnea championships, which will serve as a guide for organizers of upcoming championships.

Documents published on October 8, 2019

CMAS Safety Guidelines and Procedures for International Championships
Outdoor CMAS Free Diving Competition Rules – 2019

Source: CMAS Documents of the Free Diving Commission

 

Last Updated on January 14, 2020