Man swims nearly length of football field under ice to set world record
The Associated Press | Posted: February 23, 2021 3:36 PM | Last Updated: February 23, 2021
David Vencl manages 80.9 metres under frozen lake near Prague
A Czech freediver has set a world record in men's swimming under ice.
David Vencl swam the longest distance of 80.9 metres holding his breath on Tuesday. In this category, freedivers cannot use any fin, diving suit, cap and weights.
The previous record was 76.2 metres by Stig Severinsen of Denmark in April 2013, according to the Guinness World Records.
Vencl took one minute 35 seconds for the record at a lake in Lahost in northern Czech Republic.
"It was faster than I expected, I felt great," Vencl said. "I knew for sure that I will swim the 80 metres but, of course, that weight of the moment was the only thing that was tiring me down a little bit."
Organizers said the ice was at least 30 centimetres thick, a condition for the record to be recognized.