Record-Breaking Female Free-Diver Swims Under Ice in Austria

Photo Credit: Damir Zurub

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Lidija Lijic Vulic is a multiple world record-breaking Free-Diving Talent from Croatia. Not content with her existing set of record-breaking achievements, on the 3rd of March 2017 she attempted a Free-Diving stunt under the waters over which 30cm of thick ice had formed.

The aim was to swim over at least 50 meters of icy waters, in order to be able to get close to a previous world record set at a distance of 120 meters. She managed to exceed this by achieving an incredible distance of 123 meters… a brand new world record in tandem free-diving under ice.

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It may sound easy, but diving into the darkness at +2 Celsius water whilst it is below -2 Celsius outside is certainly no easy feat.

“It was great, a truly good feeling, and I had some sun during the dive so it wasn’t completely pitch black or as cold as I would have felt without that. Besides, I was warmed by 5 milimetres of neoprene … the ambience is truly wonderful down there!” Luvic told media reporters in Croatia.

“It’s hard to explain such a unique dive to people, but I must say that my team took great attention in my safety with the Nemo Adria Rescue Team at hand during the stunt. My dive was also accompanied by 2 divers with underwater scooters and every 30 metres there was a hole in the ice just in case,” she added.

She is truly thrilled in the interest she is getting from wider members of the public in Croatia and outside who are hearing about her latest achievement, and it is her passion to bring more positive attention for her sport of Free-Diving.

The Ice lake dive in the Austrian Lake of Weissensee was part of the project titled ‘Arctic Breath’ which was initially due to have taken place on the 1st of March, but due to heavy snowfall was postponed till the 3rd.

“We practiced under the ice at Jarun Lake in Zagreb and for the Austrian Lake we prepared the day before on location. Physically undertaking this dive wasn’t as demanding as much as it was psychologically, as we wondered how we would face the low degree temperatures, the darkness and the claustrophobia. But as the sun came out at the right time and shone light on my path, it helped a great deal,” Luvic told Newsivity.

Look out for her next adventurous endeavours planned for the near future. She also goes into training for the European Free-Diving Championships in Italy in June 2017.

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(Special Thanks to: Igor Nobilo / Photo Credit: Damir Zurub)