DEPTH NATIONALS 2026
The AIDA Freediving New Zealand Depth Nationals 2026 is scheduled to be held at Lake Taupo from 6-8 March.
The event requires a minimum of 15 athletes (competing over all 3 days), a suitably qualified medic and additional funding to proceed. The Depth Nationals will be one to remember, so make sure to sign up and secure your spot now.
On the Sunday night, 8th, there will be an after party for those who can stay on another night.
Freediving New Zealand strongly recommends athletes book refundable travel and accommodation. If the minimum requirements cannot be met then athletes will be given a full refund of their entrance fees.
Comp Details
The competition will comprise three sessions over three days. For each session, competitors can nominate any of the three AIDA depth competition disciplines (CWT, CWT-BI, CNF, FIM). Disciplines can be repeated, although final ranking will only take into consideration the best result in each discipline. As this is our national championship, competitors are encouraged to take part in all disciplines and challenge for the final ranking. All competition grade competitors should also be aware that all depth nominations are required to be within 5m of a depth you have achieved in the 3 months prior to the competition start.
You will need to complete the AIDA Competition Form.
There will be a recreation grade available for those new to competitive freediving. Divers in the recreation grade will compete in the same disciplines, but with relaxed rules and against other recreation grade divers. These dives will not be eligible for international ranking, but will appear on the Freediving New Zealand Recreational Grade Ranking on the Freediving New Zealand website.
The competition is AIDA ranked, but it does NOT have world record status.
Lake Tāupo
Lake Tāupo is a 186m deep caldera, situated 350m above sea level in the middle of the North Island of New Zealand. It has reasonably clear fresh water, generally with around 15m of visibility. The surface temperature will be around 19 degrees, but there are a number of thermoclines as you get deeper. The shallowest is usually between 12 and 20 metres deep and tends to be a 2-4 degree drop in temperature. The second tends to sit around 30-40m and is usually more noticeable, dropping the water to ten degrees or less. If you find a deeper thermocline, chances are you’re having a pretty good day already.
For depths of 90m or less, we will anchor the competition boat in the lee of Motutaiko Island, where we will be sheltered from all but the worst weather. For depths greater than 90m (120m competition depth limit, weather dependent), we will have to venture further afield from shelter, making these depths weather dependent.
The competition platform will include a counterbalance setup and sonar to keep track of divers when they are below. There will be at least two safety divers for every dive. We will have a fully qualified medic on the boat at all times and oxygen, both for emergencies and DCS prevention in accordance with AIDA recommendations where required.
Entries
All AIDA grade entries must supply a medical statement signed by a doctor. Recreation grade entries may self-sign unless you answer YES to any questions on the medical statement in which case the statement must be signed by a doctor.
Here are the documents to be reviewed with your Doctor (AIDA Grade):
AIDA Statement Contraindications
AIDA Medical Fitness Certificate
Recreational Grade is an option for those new to competing to dip their toes in and find out if competitive freediving is for them. Recreational Grade results are not recorded on the AIDA International Rankings and all dives in Recreation Grade have a 30m depth limit.
Accommodation
We will be launching the boats from their boat ramp at Motutere Bay Holiday Camp. You can hire cabins or a tent site. Contact: 07 386 8963. There is also accommodation at Motuapa or Turangi, and several AirBnB and BookaBach offerings in the area.
Cancellation Policy
The competition fee covers boat, fuel and equipment use, competition running costs (including the volunteers accommodation and food), AIDA International competition fees and other competition requirements. Entry Fees are paid via Auckland Freediving Club Booking System.
If you have to cancel your booking we reserve the right to charge a $50 administration costs.
The competition will be cancelled if the minimum number of 15 entries (competing all 3 days) and/or securing a suitably qualified medic cannot be met.
In this instance, competitors will receive a full refund of their entry fees.
