A telecoms engineer has become the first Bermudian to take part in an international freediving competition.

Scott Amos set a string of national freedive records during the Deja Blue freediving event held in Grand Cayman last month.

His feat is even more remarkable given that less than a year before competing in the renowned competition he underwent major surgery on his knee.

“I was really nervous about taking part in these events,” Mr Amos said. “But it was an incredible experience.”

“The level of competition was just amazing to see and be a part of, and the safety set-up around each event was unbelievable.

“I’m very pleased with how it all went. At least now we have some numbers on the board for Bermuda and hopefully that will encourage other people to get involved in this sport and take part in international events like this one.”

Mr Amos set five different Bermuda records at the Deja Blue competition, which included a 50 metre freedive with fins and a 31m free without fins, which were both done at sea.

“I had never done a freedive without fins before,” Mr Amos said. “So that was pretty nerve-racking, especially given the level of competition and all the pressure. But it turned out to be the easiest dive and I was pretty relaxed.”

Mr Amos set Bermuda records in three other categories which took place in a swimming pool. That involved him swimming, totally submerged, for 105m with fins and 94m without fins without coming up for air.

He also smashed his personal best in the static breath holding category, in which he held his breath for five minutes and 17 seconds.

“These are the benchmark now for others to follow,” he said. “I guess whatever I set would have been a Bermuda record as I am the first Bermudian to take part in an international competition.

“Hopefully next year I’ll be back at the Deja Blue event and can break some of the records I set this year.”