Audrey Mestre facts for kids

Audrey Mestre (born August 11, 1974 – died October 12, 2002) was a French athlete who set amazing world records in free-diving. Free-diving is a sport where people dive deep underwater while holding their breath, without using scuba gear. Audrey was known for her incredible ability to dive to great depths on a single breath.

Her Early Life and Love for the Ocean

Audrey Mestre was born in Saint-Denis, France. Her family loved the ocean and enjoyed activities like snorkeling and scuba diving. Audrey started swimming when she was just a baby! By the time she was 13, she was already an experienced scuba diver. She got her full diving certification at 16, as soon as French law allowed.

Later, her family moved to Mexico City. Audrey learned to speak Spanish fluently. She went on to study marine biology at a university in La Paz, Mexico. This showed her deep passion for the ocean and its creatures.

Breaking Records in Free-Diving

In 1996, Audrey's interest in underwater sports led her to meet free-diver Francisco "Pipín" Ferreras. They became close, and Audrey moved to Miami, Florida to live with him. There, she started training seriously in free-diving. With Francisco as her coach, she quickly began reaching incredible depths.

In 1999, Audrey and Francisco got married. The very next year, off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Audrey Mestre made history. She broke the world record for women in free-diving by going down 125 meters (about 410 feet) on just one breath of air! That's like diving the length of a football field straight down. A year later, she broke her own record, diving even deeper to 130 meters (about 427 feet).

A Tragic Dive and Important Lessons

In October 2002, Audrey Mestre attempted to break another world record. She wanted to dive to 171 meters (about 561 feet). This type of dive is called "No Limit" free-diving because divers use a weighted sled to go down quickly and then an inflatable lift bag to come back up.

On October 4, 2002, Audrey made a practice dive near Bayahibe Beach in the Dominican Republic. She reached a depth of 166 meters (about 545 feet). A few days later, on October 12, she prepared for her record attempt to 171 meters.

During the dive, after reaching her target depth, Audrey tried to inflate her lift bag to return to the surface. However, the air tank meant to inflate the bag was empty. A rescue diver quickly reached her and used his own air supply to inflate the bag. But the bag did not rise fast enough. This was due to several challenges, including not enough air in the bag, a strong ocean current, and the rope not being perfectly straight.

A dive that should have taken about three minutes turned into more than eight and a half minutes underwater. By the time she was brought to the surface, it was too late. Audrey Mestre passed away.

This tragic event highlighted the extreme dangers of deep free-diving and the importance of strict safety measures. Her story has been shared in articles and documentaries, like ESPN's No Limits, to help others understand the sport and its risks.

Honoring Her Legacy

Audrey Mestre's ashes were scattered at sea, a fitting tribute to her love for the ocean. In 2002, she was honored by being added to the Women Divers Hall of Fame. This special place recognizes women who have made amazing contributions to diving.

In August 2004, a book about her life was published. It was called The Dive: A Story of Love and Obsession. Her story continues to inspire and educate people about the incredible world of free-diving and the brave athletes who push its limits.

See Also

• Free-diving
• Women Divers Hall of Fame

Sources