Dive duo target world records in Masterton

Two of New Zealand's leading free divers will attempt to set world records during a competition at the Genesis Recreation Centre pool in Masterton between November 2 and 7.

Kathryn Nevatt, of Martinborough, and Dave Mullins, of Wellington, are both aiming for new marks in the discipline known as dynamic without fins.

Nevatt is targeting the women's world record of 160m held by Russian Natalia Molchanova and Mullins is intent on breaking his men's world record of 218m, which he set in 2010.

Nevatt will have to hold her breath under water while swimming at least six and a half lengths of the Masterton pool and Mullins will have to do likewise for almost nine lengths.

Just how many times Nevatt and Mullins try for records over the five days - Monday will be a rest day - remains to be seen.

"Even if we manage to break the records at the first attempt we will certainly try to go even further on some, if not all, of the other days," she said. "It is very demanding on the mind and body but you don't get this opportunity very often and we're keen to make the most of it."

With an international A judge coming from Los Angeles and high-ranking officials from New Zealand involved, the Masterton meet will be officially recognised by the world free diving hierachy, something imperative for world records to be given official status.

"We've got everything in place, any records set will definitely count," Nevatt said. "It's a big event for free divers, there is a lot of excitement about."

Nevatt has the comfort of knowing she has already bettered Malchanova's record distance, managing 163m at the national indoor championships in Porirua in August but with no international A judge there, that effort was not an official world record.

She is happy with the progress made in training sessions, where the emphasis has been on mental preparation.

"You need to have the mind in the right space, everything has to be very positive in that respect," she said. "Self belief is hugely important, without that you won't achieve anything."

Mullins has gone further than his men's world record, too. He has a personal best of 232m but again, the lack of a top judge meant it was not a record. Mullins is said to have twice the lung capacity of an average person and can hold his head underwater for more than eight minutes.