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Club Med Turks and Caicos
Hosts Deep Diving & Endurance World Champion Tanya
Streeter
An American athlete will discover her ultimate abilities on August 17th,
2002
Club Med, the world's
leading provider of active lifestyle vacations, will host Tanya
Streeter, World Champion Freediver, on July 25th through August
21st at Club Med Turkoise, Turks and Caicos. This 29-year-old
world class athlete with exceptional aquatic abilities aims to prove that
she can go deeper than ever before using her strong psychological, physical
and physiological endurance capabilities. Currently holding multiple World
Records and having previously surpassed her male competitors, Tanya will
discover new depths of herself and her sport in the crystal blue Turks and
Caicos waters off Club Med by pursuing a record depth of 140m/460ft in the
No Limits category.
“Hosting this fabulous champion is a natural part of Club Med's ongoing
mission to be the leader in active lifestyle vacations,” says John
Vanderslice, President and CEO Club Med Americas. “Club Med is known for
having the most innovative sports and activities at our many Villages --
including freediving! With her strong characteristics and Club Med spirit,
we are proud to host Tanya at Turkoise, Turks and Caicos so she can excel in
her sport of freediving.”
John Skippings, Director of Tourism in the Turks and Caicos Islands
comments, “The Turks and Caicos is known for excellent and award-winning
diving and we are pleased to be supporting Tanya to make such a world class
achievement in our world class destination.”
Acknowledging the adversities of
diving so deep, Streeter reminds us “There is no such thing as courage
without fear” and rationalizes the inherent risks of freediving,
disciplining herself with the motivation and intelligence of an elite
athlete. She is a strong leader and prophesizes the safety of her sport,
which consists of four categories:
Constant Ballast:
Diver must descend and ascend completely unassisted. The diver may wear
weight but whatever is taken down must be returned to the surface. Streeter
dives with little weight (1kg/2 pounds). This is the truest form of
Freediving and the most respected category amongst freedivers as a result of
the physical exertion on the body. She currently holds the World Record at
70m/230ft.
Free Immersion: The
diver must descend and ascend by pulling on a rope. Weight may be worn, but
this too is a constant weight category, so they diver must return with the
weight. No fins may be worn. Streeter currently holds the World Record at
70m/230ft.
Variable Ballast: The
diver descends on a weighted sled (the sled may be up to a third of their
body weight) and returns to the surface under his or her own power, either
kicking and/or pulling on a rope. Streeter has been to 106m/348ft in this
category, unofficially surpassing the current World Record.
No Limits: The diver
descends on a weighted sled and returns to the surface using a lift bag,
which is inflated by the diver at depth (upon arrival at depth, the diver
must disconnect the lift-bag portion of the sled from the weighted part and
inflate the lift-bag by opening a tank valve). This is the deepest category
of Freediving and Streeter previously held this World Record at 113m/370ft
At Club Med Turkoise,
Turks and Caicos where scuba diving is the prominent activity in water and
the trapeze is the sport to do above sea level, Tanya Streeter will perform
training dives throughout her stay and on August 17th she will
aim for the new World Record of 140m/460ft.
Tanya Streeter’s Objectives :
To progress deeper and deeper during training for the World Record
attempt under the watchful eyes of technical Trimix divers who will use some
of the most up-to-date closed circuit rebreather equipment to enable them to
go as deep as her. A deep video team will also document her training dives
and record attempt as part of a scientific documentary that will be viewed
around the world later this year. Freediving’s governing body A.I.D.A
(Association International pour le development d’Apnea) will send two of
their best International Judges to the record attempt to verify that it has
been carried out per their strict regulations.
To submit to an
International Olympic Committee standard banned/controlled substance test as
the final step to validating the record. An environmentalist at heart,
Streeter will also use this event to promote The Whale and Dolphin
Conservation Society (for whom she is a spokesperson) and The Coral Reef
Alliance, (with whom she shares strong beliefs about the importance of
protecting global reefs). “The greatest gift that I have in achieving
Freediving World Records, is a platform to promote good ocean ethics, and in
doing so, to give back to the environment that has given me so much,” says
Tanya Streeter.
Club Med Turkoise, Turks and Caicos is known for its wide array of
sports, will have many activities to offer Tanya in celebration of her
excellence and hard work. From sumptuous buffets, nightly entertainment,
sailing, and pure relaxation amongst other activities, Club Med believes
that Tanya will opt for the trapeze once again after trying it for the first
time during Club Med’s Scuba Bash earlier in June at Turkoise, Turks and
Caicos. “Club Med have supported freediving for some years through athlete
endorsement and the hosting of international competitions, and as a
freediver I am grateful for their assistance in promoting the sport that I
am passionate about because that kind of exposure ultimately helps
freedivers to do what they love,” says Tanya Streeter, “ I am really looking
forward to doing this record attempt at Turkoise in the Turks and Caicos
Islands because everything the team will need for our success will be right
there for us - great facilities, beautiful water and a warm, friendly
atmosphere. Not to mention all the other great activities we can do to add
variety to our days!”
Born in the Cayman
Islands, Tanya Streeter was educated in one of the most prominent girl’s
schools in Great Britain. She discovered the love of Freediving in late 1997
when accompanying male friends who were spearfishing and complimented on her
natural ability. After twice beating men’s world records in two Freediving
disciplines, Streeter began to investigate the science behind the sport and
was determined to train herself physically and mentally to continuously
prove the natural aquatic abilities of mankind. Sponsored by Redbull, a
powerful brand in energy drinks and The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist
Board, Streeter will show all of us her strength of mind and body at Club
Med Turkoise, Turks and Caicos.
Tanya Streeter who was
inducted in the Women’s Hall of Fame in March 2000 has been called the
“strongest woman freediver in the world” by friend, Club Med Pro Team
Member, and Italian freediving superstar, Umberto Pelizzari. Streeter is
determined and believes that there are no barriers to prevent women diving
deeper than men. With her slogan “Redefine Your Limits”, she also advocates
inspiration to follow your dreams and to persevere in whatever goals you
want to achieve. Tanya Streeter, along with loving husband and supportive
Manager, Paul Streeter, now lives in Austin, Texas but will always have her
heart and soul rooted
deeply
in the ocean.
About Turks and Caicos
The 40 islands of the
Turks and Caicos, of which eight are inhabited are renowned for their
award-winning beaches, diving, fishing and array of first-class resorts and
spas. There are 3 daily 75 minute flights from Miami, weekly flights
from New York, 1 weekly flight from Boston and a 4 times a week flight with
US Airways direct from Charlotte which starts November 2. Turks and Caicos
Tourist Board website is
www.turksandcaicostourism.com
About Club Med
Club Med, pioneer of the all-inclusive concept in the 1950s, is today the
global leader in active lifestyle vacations and hosts over two million
guests annually.
Club Med currently operates in 40 countries with 150 locations, including
120 Club Med villages. In a world of cookie cutter resorts and plastic
luxury, Club Med villages remain true to the genuine warmth and camaraderie
that inspired their creations. Club Med villages invite Gracious Members to
participate in a variety of recreational activities in a vibrant social
atmosphere.
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