What is Freediving?
Freediving is one of the human being`s most ancient ways of interacting with the subaquatic world, it consists of going under water with only the aid of a single respiration of the lungs and breathe holding abilities.
It is a regulated sport, with defined categories, registered records, athletes of the highest level, and naturally, thousands of enthusiasts who practice it for enjoyment. The origins of this discipline have been lost in the depths of time, and are a weave of legends, chronicles and stories passed down by word of mouth.
Biography
Alfredo was born in Mexico City on July 18, 1983. The young family moved to Bucerias, Nayarit, a small town near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico This event marks Alfredo's childhood and growing up in a coastal town creates a strong bond with the ocean. He spends his childhood and adolesence practising aquatic sports like surfing, swimming, spearfishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, etc. He goes to school at CETMAR #6, graduating with a career in Techniques in Recreational Aquatics. At the age of 17, Alfredo begins to practise swimming more seriously, receiving good results at the school he attended, participating in local and national competitions. At the same time, he became a swim instructor. Afterwards Alfredo decides to study Sport & Recreational Diving at ITMAR, a local college. Upon finishing he becomes a Professional Dive Master with PADI certification (Professional Association Diving Instructors). At this stage of his life, Alfredo practises Spearfishing and Free Diving more regularly.
Alfredo´s destiny leads him to meet Luis Turrent, a key athlete in the history of apnea/Free Diving in Mexico. He takes a small apnea clinic with Luis. This event becomes an important part of Alfredo Romo's life as he is able to reach a depth of 28 mts with no previous training. This makes Alfredo realize his aptitude and grand passion for Free Diving.
A few years later in 2009, Alfredo and his friend Alexis Silva take a 5 day course from the present World Champion and trainer of Free Diving, William Trubridge. In this course, Alfredo improves his personal record from 28 to 52 mts. From this moment on Alfredo has the motivation to train and begins to compete. Returning to Puerto Vallarta, he begins the project "Apnea" in Bahia de Banderas/Puerto Vallarta. It is a business 100% dedicated to Free Diving and spearfishing and Alfredo is full time administrator and co-owner. He organizes Free Diving courses and spearfishing expeditions, working full time on these two disciplines.
In April 2010, Alfredo is invited by William Trubridge to participate in Vertical Blue. This important world class competitions purpose is to invite high level athletes in the sport to obtain new National and World Records. It is important to mention this competition is by invitation only. Alfredo received optimal results, returning to his country with three National Records in three different disciplines.
This is only the beginning of Alfredo Romo's career. He realizes he has a potential to continue improving with time and training. His next objective as a professional athlete is to find sponsors available to help him in his career. It is difficult and expensive to do this without financial help.
Alfredo Romo present Mexican freediving champion and holder of 3 Mexican national freediving records has recently graduated from the prestigious F.I.I. academy to become the first Mexican F.I.I. level 1 and level 2 instructor base from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Alfredo is currently a National Champion in 3 disciplines:
·Constant Weight 60 mts
·Constant Weight without Fins 52 mts
·Free Immersion 58 mts.