FREEDIVING
DISCIPLINES
From pool apnea to open water depth — explore every discipline in competitive freediving and find the events that match your strengths.
12 Disciplines
POOL & DEPTH
DISCIPLINES
Competitive freediving is divided into two categories — pool (indoor) disciplines contested in a swimming pool, and depth (outdoor) disciplines conducted in open water. USFF maintains US national records across all disciplines, and USFF members are eligible to compete in any CMAS-sanctioned event worldwide.
Each discipline tests a different combination of breath-hold capacity, technique, and mental focus. Many competitive freedivers specialize — though some compete across multiple disciplines at the same event.
Pool / Indoor Disciplines
The purest test of breath-hold: the athlete floats face-down in the water and holds their breath for as long as possible. No movement, no depth — pure apnea. Judged on time.
The athlete travels horizontally underwater using a monofin. Maximum distance on a single breath. One of the most visually spectacular pool disciplines.
Same concept as DYN but using traditional bi-fins instead of a monofin. Requires a different kick technique and body position — a separate discipline with its own records.
Horizontal distance underwater using only body undulation — no fins of any kind. The most physically demanding pool discipline, requiring perfect technique to maintain momentum.
A timed relay-style endurance event: 16 lengths of 50m each, with a prescribed surface interval between each length. Tests both depth of breath-hold and speed of recovery.
Shorter endurance formats testing speed and recovery. The 4×50 and 2×50 are contested as separate disciplines with their own US national records.
Open Water / Depth Disciplines
The most prestigious depth discipline. The athlete descends and ascends along a dive line using a monofin or bi-fins, under their own power only — no pulling on the line.
Same rules as CWT but bi-fins only. A separate discipline from CWT, with its own technique demands and records.
Constant Weight without fins — descent and ascent using only body undulation. Considered by many to be the purest expression of freediving.
The athlete descends and ascends by pulling on the dive line — no fins. Allows deeper dives with less equalization effort, making it a popular training and competition discipline.
The athlete descends with an added weight (sled), then ascends under their own power using fins, rope, or a combination. Allows much greater depths than CWT.
Depth disciplines conducted under a frozen surface. A USFF milestone — the first sanctioned under-ice event in US history was held in Gilbert, Minnesota in March 2026.
Get Involved
READY TO
COMPETE IN
YOUR DISCIPLINE?
USFF membership gives you eligibility to compete in any CMAS-sanctioned event worldwide — including all of these disciplines. Check the Events Calendar for upcoming competitions, or view the full US National Records table.