Photo from yesterday after the CWT speed atempt
I woke up really early today, thanks to the dogs down the road howling their collective asses off.
Thank you very much full moon and dogs who like to howl at full moons.
I checked Fb and one of my buddies back home was online (Brad), so I called him via skype and spoke to him for 30 mins. I was not going back to sleep. I then proceeded to watch 4 episodes of Weeds before getting out of bed.
Bored yet reader???
William came over to discuss strategy for his finals tomorrow, then not long after that Carla and I headed down to the Blue Hole.
Everyone was pretty much there when I arrived and the atmosphere was relaxed and happy. Sun was peaking out behind the cloud cover when ever it could and the water temp was down to 27 / 26 deg today. What had me more concerned was the wind. I had decided to remain wearing the Blueseventy Nero Comp speedskin as this is the suit I have been training in and I wanted to keep everything the same even with the drop in water temp.
Today there was no nerves, just felt great.
William T was my coach and Carla was backup. What a team, I tell ya, I am the luckiest guy there as far as support I think.
Christian Earnest was diving before me and chasing 70m CNF, but he was not mentally prepared enough today and turned very early. I felt for him. Next was a Japanese competitor going for 71m with Fins, then I was next up.
CNF Descent.
I did everything as per my normal routine, in the water at the 3 min call, 2mins 30 seconds – talk to the rope, 2mins – noseclip, 1min 30 – goggles, breathing calmly the whole time. countdown, 10 seconds before top, inhale, pack and go!
Off the surface, I was a little tense, but soon got down to my work, 30m alarm, mouthfill, 2 more top ups, then equalize, eqaulize , equalize, ohhh crap, lost my mouthfill!!!! arrrgggg… still dropping, reverse pack as hard as I can, some Air!! YES!!, equalize, ALARM 68m!, equalize, hand hits the knot, its turn around time!! Job 1/2 done.
Grab tag, put in speedsuit, pull on line, heading up. Its only a 75m dynamic from here to the surface, kick, stroke, kick stroke, remain calm, kick, stroke, Man I am narked, kick, stroke, still narked… safety diver, almost there!
As I cleared the surface I pulled 2 massive hook breaths, goggles, noseclip, I am ok …. I HAVE DONE IT!
Infact, I was still narked at the surface and I had to ask if I had done SP ok, William told me it was good, so then I got the tag out, showed it the the judges and I was done!!
WHITE CARD!!!!!!!
Celebration time. Everyone was cheering for me, it was amazing. William T then told me that I am one of only 10 people in the world to have gone below 70m in competition. Matches my 10th man ever to get 200m in the pool.
Back to the comp though and not to down play other athletes performance, again, swedish national records tumbled in FIM and CWT. I think there were some others too, but I have not seen the results yet.
Last to go was Ryuzo. After his disappointment in the CWT heats, he was back to attempt to break his own Japanese National record, which he did successfully but diving to 107m. What a awesome performance from him. ONE OCEAN BRO!
Well, now all I need to concentrate on is ensuring William T and Jana have their best chance in the finals as I am coaching them both tomorrow. Again, ringside seat to the best show in the world.
But now – I CELEBRATE!
Team Hibbs. Before you acuse me of sexual missconduct, I am covering her wetsuit logo!
An incredible performance, and so very very well deserved, we are all yahooing, and celebrating here for you, im crying happy tears and the kids are punching the air!!
hey buddy i am so pleased for you.
i knew you would do it , keep it up
Chuu huuuu Bro that is mean!!! We are all so proud of u man we knew u could do it and u did congrats bro and enjoy I know how stoked u must be. From all the whanau here.
[...] Kerian Hibbs – FreeDiver » Competitions News WC 2009 » Swedish Mini Comp. [...]
YEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Great Job Kerian! Funny the narcosis set on so strong and lasted so long, how do you do that? And great job Ryuzo too!
Fantastic job Kerian!!