Diving record up for grabs

Former Bay resident William Trubridge will attempt another freediving record on July 21.

Refusing to accept the limits, freediver William Trubridge will return to the deep to attempt "the ultimate sequel".

At 7.40am on Thursday, July 21, the former Hawke's Bay man will freedive completely unassisted to 102m in a single breath, into the deepest blue hole on earth. Trubridge's two most recent records, back-to-back successful dives at the Vertical Blue event in May, were achieved at Deans Blue Hole in the Bahamas. His second dive was to an incredible depth of 122m/400ft in The Free Immersion (FIM) discipline - where he uses a rope to assist with descent and ascent.

Dean's Blue Hole will again be the stage where William attempts a freedive of the purest form, the sequel to a dive not achieved in December 2014. It was then that Steinlager senior brand manager brought William Trubridge to the attention of New Zealand, as Kiwis and fans around the world held their breath as he plunged into the dark waters of Dean's Blue Hole.

Steinlager Pure, Trubridge's sponsor, said he has held true on his promise to New Zealand to dedicate his next attempt to all the fans.

Michael Taylor from Steinlager said the record attempt was "the Gold medal attempt" " the ultimate free diving discipline " and "clearly his recent dives are a sure sign his current form is on track to give it his best and make good on his promise".

"Trubridge embodies the type of New Zealander that Steinlager supports, as they stand up on the world stage and take on the seemingly impossible. We wish him all the very best in his training and will be behind him every nailbiting second of the way."

In 2014 he was painstakingly close to the world record 102m freedive, he made it to the marker with what seemed like ease and it was only in the last 10m of his ascent that the hurdle proved insurmountable.

His father, Havelock North designer David Trubridge, said he's relaxed watching his son's record attempts, but wife Linda Trubridge was another story. "Linda gets a bit more nervous, but we both do get nervous just hoping he will succeed for his own sake," Mr Trubridge said.

The family spent years sailing and living on a yacht before landing in New Zealand. The designer said this had a big effect on his son's passion. "It [ocean] was his sole playground, he knew water like few others and was totally at home and comfortable in it from the earliest age."

Both will be in the TVNZ studio in Auckland watching their son's attempt.

- Tune in to TVNZ Breakfast to see Trubridge's attempt at 7.40am on Thursday, July 21. For more information, visit williamtrubridge.com.