Day 1 at the Apoyo Crater Challenge: Records, Rules, and White Cards in the Crater

Sam Harrison
Aug 17, 2025
3 min read

Written by Samuel Harrison

Photography by Dan Quinn

The morning was warm—but not hot—and calm. There was no wind to be felt across the laguna. Safeties, judges, and support teams assembled at the dive shop, the lack of coffee... evident. Some rolled out and stretched on yoga mats, some applied sunscreen, and everyone hydrated. It was going to be a long day.

With gear held in sleepy arms, we walked beside a lake as smooth as glass, the bottom visible through the surface.

After a short boat ride and quick setup, the safeties prepared at the platform as the athlete boat approached. Day 1 of the Apoyo Crater Challenge was officially underway.

Prepping for Day 1

The day before, all parties involved in the event assembled at Freediving Nicaragua for athlete registration and a full event briefing. Each athlete submitted:

Personal best records with witness signatures
A completed medical statement
The all-important proof of nationality

Lanyards were inspected and certified by Head Judge Brad Stephens, and together with Thomas Dedes, the secondary judge, they delivered a comprehensive safety and operations briefing to all participants.

What may seem like casual formalities actually define the process by which records are set—and more importantly, how lives are protected.

Event Format

During the meeting, the judges outlined the event structure:

Athletes submit final announcements by 5 PM
Start list is posted at 6 PM
Warm-ups are limited to 30m, starting 45 minutes before OT (Official Top)
Divers get 12 minutes total per slot
Post-dive: Health check with medic Hector, then proceed to the O₂ station if needed

The system might sound intense—but it works. And Day 1 proved it.

Athlete after athlete made their way through each zone, guided by safeties, and gave their best performances on the line. By day’s end, we had national records and personal bests across multiple nations and disciplines.

Card System Overview

Below are the result categories used in AIDA events, shown as either White, Yellow, or Red:

✅ White Card – Successful Dive

The diver successfully completes the dive and meets all requirements, including:

Reaching the announced depth
Returning to the surface under their own power
Completing the Surface Protocol within 15 seconds:
- Remove all facial equipment (mask/nose clip)
- Give the "OK" hand signal
- Say “I’m okay” specifically
Return with the bottom tag

Result:

The dive is validated
Points are awarded based on the depth completed
Eligible for PBs or national/world records

⚠️ Yellow Card – Minor Penalty

The dive is valid, but a minor infraction results in a point deduction. Common reasons include:

Early turn (didn’t reach announced depth)
Pulling on the rope (where not allowed)
Missing the bottom tag

Result:

Dive counts
Fewer points awarded
Not eligible for any records

❌ Red Card – Disqualification

The dive is invalid due to a major rule violation or safety issue, including:

Blackout (loss of consciousness)
Failing surface protocol
Prohibited techniques or equipment
Time limit exceeded
External coaching

Result:

Dive is disqualified
No points awarded
Not eligible for records

Day 1 Highlights: Clean Dives and National Records

Out of 13 dives attempted, 7 athletes received white cards, indicating a clean, valid performance. Of those, three athletes set National Records—an outstanding start to the Apoyo Crater Challenge.

Here are the official white card performances from Day 1:

But the real standout story of Day 1 was the trio of National Records set by three incredible athletes:

Each of these athletes pushed past their personal limits and raised the bar for the nations they represent.

Reflections from the Platform

Watching freedivers prepare for these deep dives is always inspiring. In silence, they relax their bodies and steel their minds before descending into the placid waters of this bottomless crater. This is a sport of control, focus, and grace—set in a place that erupted with chaos long ago.

As we continue through the week, I’ll be profiling athletes, exploring the disciplines, and capturing the unique pulse of this event. As long as my energy stays high and my mood stays bright, you’ll continue to get an inside look at what it means to go deep.

Stay tuned—Day 2 is already shaping up to be one for the books.