Free-diver breaks world record after plunging 170 feet in frozen lake

It was a career-high for a record low.

Free-diver David Vencl set a Guinness World Record Tuesday after taking a 170-foot, or 52.1-meter, icy plunge below Switzerland’s Lake Sils — without a wetsuit.

The 40-year-old Czech diver took just one breath before diving through a hole drilled in the ice to retrieve a sticker placed 170.9 feet below the surface to prove his feat.

David Vencl dives under the ice of Lake Sils in one breath while wearing a swimsuit in Sils near St. Moritz, Switzerland on March 14, 2023.
David Vencl dives under the ice of Lake Sils in one breath while wearing just swim underwear in Sils near St. Moritz, Switzerland on March 14, 2023.
via REUTERS

Czech freediver David Vencl dived through a hole drilled in the ice to retrieve a sticker in in Sils near St. Moritz, Switzerland on March 14, 2023.
Czech freediver David Vencl dived through a hole drilled into the ice to retrieve a sticker in Sils near St. Moritz, Switzerland on March 14, 2023.
via REUTERS


Advertisement

Vencl emerged from the same hole after 1 minute and 54 seconds, spat out some blood and opened a bottle of champagne.

His promoter Pavel Kalous said the swim took longer than expected.

“He kind of enjoyed it but he admits he was a little more nervous than usual and he had some problems with breathing,” Kalous said.

David Vencl reacts after his successful 170-foot dive under the ice of Lake Sils on March 14, 2023.
David Vencl reacts after his successful 170-foot dive under the ice of Lake Sils on March 14, 2023.
REUTERS

David Vencl gestures after coming up out the water in Lake Sils on March 14, 2023.
David Vencl gestures after coming up out of the water in Lake Sils on March 14, 2023.
REUTERS


Advertisement

Czech free-diver David Vencl comes out of the water after his dive under the ice of Lake Sils on March 14, 2023.
Czech free-diver David Vencl comes out of the water following his dive under the ice of Lake Sils on March 14, 2023.
REUTERS


Advertisement

“There is nothing difficult for him to be in cold water … Lack of oxygen is something normal for him. But this was completely different because it’s really difficult to work with the pressure in your ears in cold water.

“If you combine all these three things: cold water, lack of oxygen and the problem with working with pressure, it’s something very unique.”

The water was between 33.8 and 39.2 degrees when Vencl took the plunge. Air temperatures hovered around 40 degrees.


David Vencl celebrates after his successful attempt to dive under the ice of Lake Sils on March 14, 2023.
David Vencl celebrates after his successful attempt to dive under the ice of Lake Sils on March 14, 2023.
REUTERS

Vencl later visited a hospital to confirm the record-breaking dive hadn’t posed any serious risk.

The Guinness World Record is the second for Vencl — he first made it into the book in 2021 after swimming the 265-foot length of an iced-over Czech lake with just one breath.

With Post wires

You May Also Like

Elizabeth Hurley cozies up to Billy Ray Cyrus on ‘Tennessee weekend’ after debuting romance

Elizabeth Hurley is continuing to flaunt her new romance with Billy Ray…

Ocean County wildfire: Strong winds complicate firefighters' efforts; fire only 65% contained

OCEAN TWP., N.J. (WPVI) — Firefighters continue to battle a wildfire in…

The Morning Briefing: Peace-Loving Trump Doesn't Even Know How to Hitler

Top O’ the Briefing Happy Monday, dear Kruiser Morning Briefing friends.…

I booked a hotel for my dream holiday to Bali… Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to discover when I arrived

By CHARLOTTE MCINTYRE FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 07:33 EDT, 28 April…