Bay freediver William Trubridge 'humbled' after record bid

William Trubridge is assisted to the surface after failing to break his own world freedive record. Photo/TV One

Hawke's Bay's world champion free diver William Trubridge has failed in his attempt to break his unassisted freedive world record of 101m.

Although he reached the new depth of 102, he required assistance when returning to the surface.

The 34-year-old told TV One's Breakfast moments after the dive: "I feel like I owe New Zealand a world record and when I do reach it, it will be dedicated to everyone who has supported me."

He said he was "disappointed" not to complete the dive, after calling it quits about 30m from the surface, but was "humbled" with the support from thousands of New Zealanders.

The former Havelock North High School student said from the Bahamas that "the first half of the ascent, coming up, it was feeling good".

He then began to feel himself blacking out and knew "I wasn't going to make it clean".

Despite the failed attempt, Trubridge said the exposure for the sport of freediving had been fantastic.

"I'm really glad it is getting this kind of coverage ... it can only grow [the sport]."

He said he will make another attempt at the world record dive but will likely wait until May next year.

"I wouldn't have a huge amount of confidence and it would be 50/50," he said.

"I wouldn't want to risk another failure like today."

His mother, Linda Trubidge, told Hawke's Bay Today she was immensely proud of her son.

"Although he didn't achieve it, I think it showed who he is ... it shows how challenging it is."

"I was talking to William the last time we saw each other and he said every metre down there is like running a four minute mile. You just need that much more oxygen the further down you go."

She had been anxious for days leading up to the record attempt and said she had been up since 4am (NZST) today in anticipation.

"David [father and husband] is not as bad as me. I was absolutely nervous," she joked.