Competitive free-diving involves going underwater without a mask or tank, staying under for longer than three minutes at a time, and going as far down into the deep as possible. Pipin currently holds the male world record at 532 feet, while Audrey, his wife, is the reigning champ in the female category at 411 feet. Together they hold the tandem world record at 381 feet.
Mental preparation is even more important than physical fitness to free divers.
One must put mind over matter to get the body into a state of complete relaxation in order to withstand the pressure. When you're free-diving, all you hear is the sound of your heart beating and the friction of the mechanism. In the center of the mechanism is a hollow pole through which premeasured cable or rope runs up to a boat. The Ferrerases admit that beating their own records this weekend won't be easy, as the currents are fairly strong. Still, they're confident they can do it.