Netherlands, Taiwan, and Bora Bora Local Competitions Showcase Spring Talent

Molchanovs-sponsored local competitions brought record-breaking performances and growing communities across three nations.

By Kristina Zvaritch
Photo © Marc Brakels

Three Molchanovs-sponsored competitions across the Netherlands, French Polynesia, and Taiwan brought together athletes from beginner to advanced levels, creating unforgettable moments both in the pool and at depth. Three new national records were shattered at the Eindhoven International AIDA Pool Competition 2025, while the AIDA Taipei Tournament continued building its strong community tradition with two 1-day pool competitions in March and May. Bora Bora’s depth competition, famous for its stunning visibility and marine life, saw athletes setting an impressive number of white cards and personal bests.

Eindhoven International AIDA Pool Competition 2025

An athlete waits for the judge’s call on his performance at the Eindhoven International AIDA Pool Competition 2025. © Marc Brakels.

On April 19th, the second edition of the Eindhoven International AIDA Pool Competition 2025 kicked off in the Pieter van den Hoogendband Swimming Stadium in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Athletes performed in an Olympic-sized 50m pool with 10 lanes and a comfortable water temperature of 27°C (80.6°F). A total of 34 athletes participated, with 9 first-time competitors—take a look at their results.

Along with the official competition, organizers also held the Beginners Challenge, a friendly event designed to give brand-new athletes a low-pressure introduction into the world of competitive freediving. Five participants were given guidance, support, and coaching from the experienced freedivers of Feel Free Freediving. The Beginners Challenge athletes were also submitted into a raffle, where the winner chose between the Molchanovs CORE Silicone Bifins or CORE Silicone Monofin.

Three new national records were set for the Netherlands and Algeria. It was her first competition, and Désirée Sommers (NED) exceeded expectations, swimming a staggering 191m (627ft) in DYNB and gaining a new AIDA National Record for the Netherlands. Joost Rothweiler (NED) also nabbed a second national record for the Netherlands, reaching 209m (686ft) with bifins in DYN. Zakaria Brahmi (ALG) led Algeria to greatness in DYN with an impressive 162m (531ft) performance.

Dutch freediving athletes Désirée Sommers and Joost Rothweiler set new AIDA National Records for the Netherlands and became the overall winners of the Eindhoven International AIDA Pool Competition 2025.
© Sam Walravens Photography.

Désirée and Joost, as the overall female and male winners, received 300 USD equipment vouchers to use on Molchanovs gear, while all the athletes enjoyed a 15% discount on the Molchanovs website. "The best parts were seeing athletes from different levels support each other and celebrate personal bests," Jeffrey Habets, instructor at Feel Free Freediving and co-organizer of the competition, told us. "That sense of community is what freediving is all about."

The organizer, Feel Free Freediving, is a school and training club based in the Netherlands. Leon and Marloes, the founders of the school, started the second branch of Feel Free Freediving in Bonaire. Their mission is to create more awareness of the sport and grow the Dutch freediving community through accessible, high-quality training and education.

To stay up to date on Feel Free Freediving’s schedule and their future competitions (the next edition is tentatively scheduled for April 2026), follow them on social media:

Website: www.feelfreefreediving.nl
Instagram: @feelfreefreediving
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@feelfreefreediving/

AIDA Bora Abyss Contest

An athlete dives while safeties follow at the AIDA Bora Abyss Contest. © @the_ocyan and @KTPhotographie.

The third edition of the Bora Abyss Contest wrapped up after two days of competition. On May 17th and 18th, 14 athletes competed in FIM, CWTB, and CNF in balmy 30°C (86°F) Pacific waters and 26°C (79°F) air temperatures. Depths ranged from 27 - 60m (89 - 197ft), and two athletes came out on top: Leo Ray (FRA) with 60m (197ft) dives in FIM and CWTB and Coralie Labbe (FRA) with 30m (98ft) in CNF and 38m (125ft) in CWTB. Both athletes were awarded 300 USD vouchers for Molchanovs equipment. Check out the full list of results.

While the Bora Abyss Contest was initially made for the students of Bora Bora Freediving & Yoga to change up their routines and define their goals for the year, it’s grown in popularity. The competition sees athletes coming from every Polynesian Island, along with competitors from New Caledonia and Italy. Organizer, judge, and owner of the school, Emilie Antoine, told us, “The most enjoyable moment is when all the athletes from everywhere are reunited around a common passion to discuss and share time all together.”

The 2025 edition of the AIDA Bora Abyss Contest.
© @the_ocyan and @KTPhotographie.

Bora Bora Freediving & Yoga started 6 years ago as the first freediving school in the islands of French Polynesia. Bora Bora itself offers excellent conditions for most of the year, with water temperatures ranging from 26 - 31°C (79 - 88°F) and visibility over 30m (98ft+). Their marine life includes sharks, turtles, manta rays, and stunning coral, perfect for recreational diving days after a competition. The freediving school is working toward their dream of creating AIDA Polynesia, hoping to give Polynesian athletes a pathway to the World Championships.

The next edition of the Bora Abyss Contest is happening May 2026; stay tuned to Bora Bora Freediving & Yoga’s social media for more updates:

Website: www.boraborafreedivingyoga.com
Instagram: @boraborafreedivingyoga
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boraborafreedivingyoga/

AIDA Taipei Tournament

The AIDA Taipei Tournament saw two 1-day competitions on March 16th and May 24th. It’s a regular event athletes can count on, held eight times a year for its second year running. Approximately 50 athletes have participated in the competitions, held at the Rongxing Swimming Pool in Taipei, which is open year-round and a familiar training environment for athletes. The competition in STA, DYN, DYNB, and DNF happened in a 25m pool with a comfortable temperature of 29°C (84°F) and 1.3m (4ft) of depth. Check out the athletes’ impressive results for the March and May editions.

The AIDA Taipei Tournament competition series was created to foster a fun and stress-free environment for athletes to compete in. Organizers aim for the competition day to feel like a typical training day, and hold the event every other month so athletes become comfortable with the rules, manage any anxiety, and understand how their training performance is evolving with minimal variable changes. Taiwanese and Malaysian athletes have also used the tournament to meet their national team’s criteria.

Performances range from 60m - 200m (197 - 656ft), with first-time competitors swimming next to seasoned athletes. After some friendly competition, everyone goes to grab cups of noodle soup afterward, creating a unique and comfortable setting for freedivers of every level.

Three freediving schools partner together to bring the AIDA Taipei Tournament to life: WaterfloW Freediving, Twilight Freediving, and Brave Diving Center. Twilight Freediving offers both pool and open water freediving courses, while WaterfloW is centered around dynamic pool training and coaching. Brave Diving Center is the home to some of the most dedicated freediving EMTs in the area, and also offers scuba diving.

Check out upcoming editions of the AIDA Taipei Tournament on their Instagram page (@taipei_pool_tournament).