During the month of August it was all about freediving at Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire. Proud to be the main sponsor of the Buddy Dive Free Diving Festival, a one month event, starring Karol Meyer, Brazilian freediving specialist and the holder of several records one being the world record of 18 minutes and 32 seconds in the Static Apnea discipline, and Patrick Musimu who was the first freediver to descend more then 200 meters (610 ft). One of Karol’s goals during her trip to Bonaire was to share her enthusiasm for this amazing sport with others by giving presentations and organizing a freediving clinic at Buddy Dive. Obviously breaking the continental South American record within the Variable Weight Apnea discipline was Karol’s main goal. Due to the perfect conditions that Bonaire has to offer we were happy to witness her reaching this goal by diving to an amazing depth of 93 meters (305ft) right in front of Buddy Dive Resort! A factor that played a big role in accomplishing this incredible achievement was the presence of Karol’s mentor, coach and friend, famous Belgian freediver, Patrick Musimu. In June 2005, Patrick Musimu redefined the human limits by becoming the first man to dive to 200 meters on a single breath of air. On the 30th of June, his exhausted body forced him to stop after a dive at 209.6 meters, shattering the deepest human performance registered by almost 40 meters. Being a famous freediver himself Patrick knows like no one else how to support Karol before, during, and after her record attempts. As freediving does not come without risks, and safety comes first, two doctors accompanied the 4 tech divers, and 3 security freedivers to maximize the safety procedures. With Dr. Dick van der Vaart MD (Medical Doctor), one of the leading doctors within the diving industry and specialized in treating all dive related illnesses, being one of the two doctors on board, Buddy Dive Resort’s Dive Operations Manager Augusto Montbrun left nothing to its fate with organizing the record attempts. Apart from supporting the Bonaire Freediving 2009 event Dr. Dick van der Vaart MD also had a key role in the realization of Bonaire’s new recompression chamber which was installed last May, this is another reason for Bonaire to be proud of having such a great doctor based on their island. To celebrate Karol Meyer’s new South American record of 93 meters within the Variable Weight Apnea discipline TCB (Tourism Cooperation Bonaire) and Buddy Dive together organized a party at Buddy Dive’s Poolbar. Besides freediving fanatics, press, and sponsors like Insel Air, Avianca, Deco Stop (Brazilian diving magazine) and Brasil Mergulho (Brazil’s leading diving website), another remarkable VIP was present at this Friday evening party. Dr. Sylvia Earle, famous American oceanographer and undersea explorer, was originally invited to visit Bonaire to get honored with the Bonaire Life Time Achievement Award for all the amazing work she did and does in order to make people aware of the importance of taking good care of the world’s oceans. When she heard that Karol Meyer was on the island as well she was more than happy to meet her and joined the celebration party. This Friday evening was one hard to forget for all Buddy Dive Resort’s guests, staff and management. Having all these VIP’s as there guests at a successful celebration party made the Buddy Dive family a proud and happy family! Buddy Dive Resort is already busy with the preparations to organize the event again in 2010. Of course everybody is invited to visit the resort during this exciting event!