Toulouse. Guillaume Bourdila, new record holder in dynamic apnea: “I love pushing the limits”
The freediver from Toulouse broke a new world record at the last world championships in Serbia. It now holds two of the three reference brands in swimming pool.
Guillaume, you are now the new world record holder in bi fins. Tell us about this feat.
There are three disciplines in dynamic apnea: without fins, mono fins and bi fins. The goal is to travel the longest distance possible, regardless of the weather. I already held the world record without fins (236 meters), which was not beaten this year (he finished 3rd with 210 meters, Ed). In single fin I finished second. And I broke the world record in bi fins with 274.70 cm, or seventy centimeters more than the previous mark. It’s really very little but it counts a lot (he smiles).
How far do you think you can go?
We are getting closer to the limit but there is still a little margin. Hardware upgrades are important to save energy as well. Let’s say that the 300 meter wall has never been reached in CMAS competition either in single fins or in bi fins. I did it for the first time during the last AIDA competition (International Apnea Development Association, editor’s note) in mid-June, but the exit protocols are a little different between the two. My objective is to validate it in CMAS.
Do you have these 300 meters in your legs?
Yes.
What other goals are you setting for the future?
I have two of the three world records and it would be nice to hold all three (he smiles). I’ve always set myself goals that seemed unattainable, but I love pushing my limits. I also got into deep apnea last season. I finished in the top five in the world. The next candidates for the world championships take place in October in Kas, Turkey, and this time I would like to make a podium to validate this transition to the sea.
On a personal level, how do you experience the relative anonymity in which apnea extends despite your exceptional performance?
I actually think I am someone recognized in the world of apnea. It’s harder next door. I would like a little more media coverage, first to make this discipline better known. It would give a bit more leverage for the partners too. I hope it will evaluate.