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This story was first published on RNZ.co.nz and is being republished with permission.
New Zealand freediver William Trubridge admits that he is terrified of contracting Covid-19, as the disease could end his incredible career.
Trubridge is one of the world’s leading divers, he has set numerous world records and his lungs are everything.
The 40-year-old man is in the Bahamas with his family where he trains for several months a year.
Trubridge is based on Long Island, which registered its first case of Covid-19 on August 30.
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“We only have 12 cases, but the population is only 4,000 on this island, so it’s here, and we have to be careful,” Trubridge said.
“We live a kind of isolated life in any case, it’s not like there are big shopping centers and things where you meet a lot of people.
“We just keep to ourselves… the only time we can get close to other people is at the grocery store, I guess, and we’re being very careful.
“We could go to restaurants and interact more because we are not in a total lockdown in the Bahamas, but we choose to stay calm so we can reduce risk as much as possible.
Trubridge makes a living by holding his breath for four minutes underwater, descending 100 meters. Getting the disease could be catastrophic because of the way it attacks the lungs.
“I am quite terrified to be honest because there is a very high risk that there is some kind of permanent or long-term damage to the lungs or other important organs.
“Even if there is only 5 percent damage to lung function, that’s about it for a career in freediving where you’re completely reliant on your lungs. So I’m very suspicious, which is part of the reason why. I stayed on this island where I know I can stay away from most people and try to mitigate risks in every way possible.
“Until the vaccine comes out … it’s the only kind of light at the end of the tunnel that could start to reduce anxiety about contracting this virus.”
It has also been affected by the economic consequences of Covid-19, losing some of its endorsement deals when the pandemic forced the cancellation of competitions around the world.
Paolo valenti
William Trubridge prepares for a finless diving world record attempt.
In April, he lost a large percentage of revenue that way, but he has realistic expectations for where he stands in a global pandemic.
“I am aware of the fact that in a major crisis like this, jobs that could be seen as a luxury like sports or the arts and that are not involved only in pure human survival are the first to be expendable. I ‘am aware from that risk, which means I have to redouble my efforts to transition and expand into other areas as well.
“I’ve been doing advanced freediving classes, talks, online webinars and that sort of thing. I’m doing more of that now partly because I enjoy doing that, but also because it’s something I’d like to transition to after the Free diving. “
Trubridge arrived in the Bahamas in mid-March, just before the pandemic really took off around the world.
Usually, he spends about six months there each year to train in one of the best-known freediving spots in the world.
His wife and young daughter were supposed to join him a month or two later from Japan, but they didn’t arrive until August.
“All the paperwork, tests and things that we needed to complete before they could travel and try to meet all the requirements. It was a bit of a nightmare, but once they finally got here, of course it was worth it.”
Trubridge said they expected to return to New Zealand for Christmas if quarantine regulations were relaxed.
In a normal year, the competitive season runs from June to September / October, where the world’s best will compete in places like Greece, Honduras, and the Philippines.
The rest of the year, Trubridge is building a foundation for that with high volume / low intensity training.
“Every year we hold an event in the Bahamas called Vertical Blue that has been going on since 2008 and that is always a highlight, it is the largest annual event in freediving right now.”
Freediver William Trubridge has dived to 125m in one breath.
Despite not knowing when he could compete next, Trubridge said he wasn’t struggling with motivation and was always trying to dig deep.
Sometimes Trubridge has to announce record attempts or goals, but if he doesn’t have to, he tries to keep them to himself.
He said it helped keep the “motivational fire” burning inside him.
“When you talk about it more with other people, that energy spreads and spreads. Also sometimes the positive feedback you get from that … even if you are only expressing a goal or a goal, that can give you the reward that reduces your motivation, you don’t want if you really want to achieve your goals. “
The biennial World Championship event will take place next year and plans are underway to establish a freediving world series circuit, similar to the one in surfing.
This story was first published on RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.
