However, at this moment I just wish Yasemin a fast recovery. The question of rules is unimportant now.

First, I find this somewhat funny, you demanding explanations from me as to what my problems with AIDA are. I guess you have not been paying attention or have a very short memory, because in previous posts we discussed at length what I consider to be the main problems with the AIDA system, namely the surfacing protocol and the safety system underwater. We talked about that for quite a while, and that still is where the differences reside between both organizations. Those of you who defend AIDA based on the fact that it is an active organization with thousands of members worldwide have a right to do so, but you seem to be forgetting where you are. This is http://www.YaseminDalkilic.com , a private site, not a public forum, and the opinions, profile and attitudes you’ll find here will pretty much reflect the thinking of the owner of this website. Yasemin has been a FREE member and supporter since 1999 and, besides being her husband and trainer, I am the founder of FREE, so honestly, what did you guys think you were going to find here? If you don’t like the political views here, then don’t visit this site, because honestly, those views are not going to change. But you are welcome to make use of all the valuable training advice we have been posting here, free of charge and devoid of politics, as our way to contribute to the freediving community, if of course, training knowledge is important to you besides politics. But if political argument is what you are after, then this is not the best place to come to because, it should be obvious to all you by now that neither Yasemin nor I will change our positions and we are quite happy doing what we are doing outside of the AIDA system. Now, if you feel bad for us and feel pity or dismay about these two fools telling themselves and the world that they are doing a world record without the knowledgeable AIDA judges and not based on the proven AIDA rules, then just laugh at us and don’t waste your time with us. Or, you can go on a crusade to tell the world that we are liars and cheaters, but if that’s what you want to do, then this is the wrong place to do it, so you should try other venues where it will make a difference, because here, we really don’t care about what anybody has to say about our way of doing things. Now, you can write as many lengthy and passionate answers as you want, but since we are after all in the middle of a world record attempt here, I won’t waste my time engaging in this futile argument, so I suggest you don’t waste yours either. In the meantime, for those of you who believe we are not cheaters and know what we’re doing, there are plenty of articles regarding our experiences with this dive event.

Rudi

Clearly put Ivo.

Anyway good luck with your record, I’ll still list it on my humble site, marked as ’sanctioned by Free’

Kars

Bill Stromberg resigned from his function in December last year, and we now have Kimmo Lahtinen as president at AIDA. In the few months in function he and the new team already managed to do a very good job, changed and improved many things, and especially rendered the organization more transparent and more democratic.

If you asked Grant to change the AIDA rules to match your needs, then I am not surprised he did not answer. It does not work this way, and he has no power to do it. AIDA is a democratic organization with Assembly of representants from each of the tens of AIDA nations, who make the decisions. However now, we are all in the preparation of the coming World Championship, so in this period changes of rules are unacceptable.

Could you exaplain, Rudi, what exactly did you find incompatible between AIDA and FREE rules? It is certainly not the counterweight system, since AIDA rules permit the use of safety scuba divers. They only do not require them, and allow for other alternatives. And it is also certainly not the AIDA’s Surface Protocol, since when Yasemin completes her AIDA protocol, she will automatically fulfil also the requirements of FREE, or am I wrong here? OK, AIDA’s surface protocol is stricter, but asking AIDA to abolish it and making a special waver for Yasemin would be the exact opposite of what one would expect of someone trying to break the record done under certain set of rules.

If you want AIDA sanctioning the record, the procedure is quite simple and transparent, but it certainly does not include changes of the rules – that part is not available to any other freediver, so I think it is right and just no to make privileged exceptions.

Can you tell us more details about what you found incompatible in AIDA and FREE rules, Rudi?

It would be very unfortunate not to invite AIDA. As I already stated earlier you would gain much more respect, and I believe that Yasemin would have absolutely no problems fulfilling the requirements of AIDA, so it would be definitely pity not doing it, just because you feel AIDA does not want to change the rule in the way you ask. When thousands of other freedivers can compete under the rules safely, Yasemin certainly has the capacity too.

Wishing good luck, regardless of the way you chose!
Ivo