At a glance

Location: Amorgos, Cyclades (Greece)
Dates: Sunday, September 16, 2018 to Sunday, September 23, 2018
With the approval of: AIDA Hellas
Maximum number of athletes: 80
Minimum estimated number of athletes: 30
Weather conditions: Based on past experience, during the proposed dates for the Authentic Big Blue 2018 competition, we expect for the sea conditions to be favorable. September is traditionally a period of calm seas. The water surface temperature is expected to be around 24°C – 25°C, with a visibility of about 30 – 40 meters. Based on our diving experience, there are no currents that may affect the diving area.

Also, Agios Pavlos beach- island of Nikouria (with a depth of 80-85 meters) is provided, as an alternative location, for the days that the weather will not permit diving at the main location of the competition (Agia Anna).

Freediving Depth Competition

The competition will take place about half a mile off the beach of Agia Anna, where the depth reaches 150 meters.
The travel time, from the beach where the athletes will board the dive boat of the competition is about 3 minutes.
A rapid ascent system with counter ballast is included in the safety measures of the competition.
The diver is constantly being monitored, throughout the dive, by a high-resolution sonar, while at each zone of the competition, 3 safety divers will be present. One safety diver will also be at every warm-up buoy.
All safety divers are experienced and trained divers who have worked in numerous AIDA competitions (national & worldwide free diving depth championships).

Authentic Big Blue 2018 awards and prizes

The 2018 event is the 30 year anniversary of the release of the movie “Le Grand Bleu”. To celebrate this, the Authentic Big Blue organizing committee have some special prizes.
The 3 first individual winners of each discipline will each receive handmade medals especially designed for this anniversary event.
3000 euros will be equally divided amongst the winners. This means 500 euros for the first place of each discipline.
The overall winners, male and female, will be presented with the amazing Paralenz underwater camera and receive automatic entry in the next Authentic Big Blue.

Trainings

The week before the commencement of the Authentic Big Blue 2018 competition, training sessions will become available at the competition site.
More information will soon be posted on our website.

Medical coverage

The competition dive boat will provide the divers with pure oxygen for decompression and first aid use. At the competition site, throughout all the days of the competition, there will be a medical-emergency speedboat of the Aegean Team, with the doctor of the race on board, ready to provide first aid services and rapid transfer to the beach of Agia Anna. There will constantly be available, throughout the days of the competition, an ambulance to transfer the athlete (within 10 minutes) to the fully equipped medical center in the Town of Amorgos. Also, medical support will be provided by Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center.