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.
I arrived in The Bahamas two weeks before the official start of the event. I had just come back from the CMAS indoor World Championships in Athens and had a strong apnea capability from six months of pool training. But depth diving requires a gradual adaptation to the ocean’s embrace and the delicate balance of equalization. I was still adapting and reminded myself to be patient. The true competition was within.
Vertical Blue includes three acts, with rest days in between, and a maximum of six official dives per athlete. I chose to skip the first two days of Act I to address a persistent ear block. On the third day, I opened with a Free Immersion (FIM) dive for a controlled pace into the blue. I announced a conservative depth of 57 meters. As I took my final breath, peace flowed through me, and I emerged with a white card—my first CMAS Freediving M2 world record for depth. I was ready to go deeper.
After the scheduled rest day, I opted to sit out one more day before attempting 60 meters in Constant Weight Bi-Fins (CWTB), my first official depth dive with bi-fins. During ebb tide, the water at Dean’s Blue Hole becomes crystal clear, and on this dive, the blue welcomed me in. It was such a perfect dive, a new personal best. I gained confidence to dive the following day in the most demanding discipline —Constant Weight No Fins (CNF), my favorite— and completed a 50-meter attempt comfortably.
With the final act approaching and another rest day, I announced 62 meters in Constant Weight (CWT), the mono-fin discipline. Channeling my love for whales, I completed the dive smoothly in 2 minutes and 11 seconds. I still had two dives remaining, but I took a rest day to prepare for a personal challenge, 57 meters no fins. The earlier dives were dedicated to my granddaughters, to the women in my life past and present, and to the living ocean. I had set world records across all four disciplines. This final dive was for me.
The morning of my dive the blue hole wasn’t so blue, the flood tide had turned it green. But everything felt good as I took my last breath, immersed myself, and started my strong strokes away from the surface. I returned in 3 minutes and 6 seconds. I was slow, but I was fully present, with mind and soul. I surfaced smiling, with a clean protocol and a full heart from a magical last ‘flight’ in the blue hole. I was so fulfilled to hear the familiar cheers and receive hugs.
Throughout the competition, my focus remained inward—on calm, precision, and intention—not on comparison or competition. I completed five dives, set five CMAS Freediving M2 world records, and achieved two personal bests. Only when I returned home did I truly realize how rare and special this achievement was. It was intense—physically and mentally—but deeply rewarding. What a Vertical Blue!
I could not have done it alone. I was well prepared by my coach Samo Jeranko. I am thankful to the incredible team of safety freedivers, judges, and medics, to Daan Ver Hoeven for capturing these underwater moments with such talent, to William Trubridge for organizing the event with CMAS Panamerica, to the US Freediving Federation USFF and our sponsors Surffur, Lobster Freediving, and Evolve Apnea for their support. I am honored to have competed at VB2025 bringing world records and new personal bests and I thank CMAS and USFF for helping keep the sport clean with strict doping controls.
I am profoundly grateful to my soulmate Ricardo Paris and our wonderful children, and to the Ocean that teaches us about the infinite within and around us.