I was thrilled to receive an invitation to Vertical Blue 2025, the “Back to the Origin of Depths” edition.  William Trubridge described it as a refreshing return to the essence of freediving, with a continued commitment to marine conservation and protecting the ocean that fuels our passion.  That spirit is exactly why I began competing eleven years ago. I’ve long had a deep connection with Dean’s Blue Hole—both through my ocean acoustic research and my freediving journey. It is the most iconic freediving site in the world and the perfect setting to compete. 

It’s with great pride that we announce a historic development: Avi Kleyman has been appointed to the CMAS Freediving Commission — making him the first American to hold a seat on this global governing body.

The CMAS Freediving Commission is a 4-year appointment and plays a critical role in shaping the future of our sport. From competition standards and education to judging programs and development strategies, this group steers the direction of freediving worldwide.

The U.S. National Freediving Team delivered a remarkable performance at the 2025 CMAS World Championship Freediving Indoor, held from May 18-24 at the iconic Olympic Aquatic Centre in Athens, Greece. The event welcomed 200+ elite athletes from 40+ nations, competing across a wide range of indoor freediving disciplines.

The 2025 US National Team has been selected and we are excited for their opportunity to perform on the World stage representing the United States.

To help ensure that the technical standards and competition guidelines are maintained, as well as bring more infrastructure to judging and event structures, the USFF has appointed Francesca Koe to the position of Technical Director for the calendar years of 2025-2026.