25 Nov 2025
30m

In the bag | Deep Water Ep3

Podcast cover

We call her Emma | Tortoise Investigates

This episode of Deep Water investigates a doping scandal within the world of competitive freediving, focusing on Will Trubridge, the organizer of the Vertical Blue competition, and his efforts to combat the use of performance-enhancing drugs. The investigation centers on two Croatian divers suspected of using benzodiazepines, which are believed to enhance freediving performance but are not explicitly banned by WADA. Trubridge conducts a luggage search, finding various medications, including a diuretic banned by WADA. The episode explores the mixed reactions to Trubridge's actions, the conflicting stances of the sport's governing bodies (AIDA and CMAS) on doping, and the broader implications for the integrity and safety of freediving. It also presents testimony from another freediver who claims to have witnessed one of the Croatian divers taking Valium before a dive.

Outlines

Part 1: Incident Introduction

Part 2: Aftermath and Official Responses

Part 3: Series Information

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