06 April 2026
The U.S. Freediving Federation is proud to announce the athletes selected to represent the United States at the 2026 CMAS Freediving World Championships.
Athlete registration opened on December 12th and closed on January 25th, with over 50 athletes from across the country applying. The depth and diversity of talent continues to grow each year, and selection was made based on the established criteria for eligibility and competitive readiness.
From this pool, 22 athletes have been selected to represent the U.S. freediving community on the world stage.
These athletes will compete at:
CMAS Indoor Freediving World Championships — Serbia, June 2026
CMAS Outdoor Freediving World Championships — Honduras, August 2026
This marks the largest team the federation has ever sent to the CMAS World Championships since its founding in 2018 — a strong signal of the continued growth and momentum of competitive freediving in the United States.
Leadership
Returning for a second year as Team Captain is Avi Kleyman. He is competing at both the indoor and outdoor championships.
Avi has demonstrated exceptional leadership in supporting and organizing the national team, and is widely respected both within the U.S. and internationally. In addition, through the recommendation of the USFF, Avi has been appointed to the CMAS Freediving Commission, strengthening the U.S. presence and influence within the global freediving community.
2026 U.S. National Team Roster
Outdoor – Senior
Johnny Carabajal
Nico Carleton
Marc Anop
Nathaniel Leazer
Joseph Schwieters
Natalie Bruce
Christina Molina
Indoor – Senior
Brady Bradshaw
Erik Cintra
Jessica Deady
Outdoor – Master
Alasdair Boyd
Raymond Ko
Enrique “Rick” Ortiz
Kevin McNally
Jennifer Brant
Christina Montalva
Indoor / Outdoor – Master
Natsuko Saito
Jerry Van Galder
Indoor – Master
Chad Paul Yutka
Arnaldo Caballero
Peter Zuccarini
* Master: Age 50+
* Senior: Age 21–49
A Growing Team, A Rising Standard
This year’s team includes both returning athletes and emerging talent, reflecting the increasing competitiveness and depth of the U.S. freediving community. The expansion to 22 athletes represents a meaningful milestone for the federation and underscores the strength of the current generation of divers.
Supporting Team USA
The 2026 team was announced this week in conjunction with our promotional partners and the launch of our fundraising campaign.
To support the team:
Use code USFF2026 when purchasing gear from:
Molchanovs
Evolve
Surffur
You’ll receive a discount, and a portion of each purchase will directly support the U.S. National Team.
We have also launched our official fundraising campaign:
👉 https://www.gofundme.com/f/backing-us-freedivers-for-2026-championships
We’re grateful to the early supporters who have already contributed. The strength of this team is matched by the strength of the community behind it.
Even if you’re not able to donate, sharing the campaign is a powerful way to support — helping us expand awareness and rally the broader freediving community.
Looking Ahead
As we prepare for Serbia and Honduras, this team represents not only competitive excellence, but the spirit of the U.S. freediving community — disciplined, evolving, and united.
We look forward to representing you on the world stage.