In the silent expanse of the waters, where the only sound is the rhythmic pulse of one’s own heartbeat, a remarkable form of human endurance unfolds. Meet Aliaa Al-Salem, a free-diver whose name has become synonymous with pushing the boundaries of the human spirit under the water. Armed with nothing but her breath and unwavering determination, Aliaa has captured the world’s imagination with her breathtaking indoor dives. In an age where technology often overshadows pure physical prowess, Aliaa’s story is a compelling reminder of the extraordinary feats possible when humans harmonize with water. Join us as we explore the depths of her journey, uncovering the challenges, triumphs, and profound connections that define her life beneath the surface.
Through her journey of eccentric excellence as a scuba diver and a freediver, Aliaa holds on to her favorite quote “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
– Winston Churchill
What are the main factors that guided you to where you are now?
The main factors that guided me to where I am now are discipline, hard & smart working, setting goals and being dedicated in my training.
How would you balance the pursuit of success with personal fulfillment and happiness?
A calculated and thoughtful strategy is needed for establishing a balance between the pursuit of achievement and satisfaction. To achieve such a balance, I try to schedule my plans and priorities, and manage my timings and obligations; this makes it easier for me to stay on track.
What was the biggest challenge in your athletic career? How did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was when the club that we train at rented the swimming pool to a
private academy that didn’t allow us to enter the pool again and this was exactly before the world championship. To overcome this obstacle, I had to go to another pool that didn’t allow my instructor to enter so I had to train alone.
What habits do you adopt on a daily basis to help you break new records?
Setting new personal bests in sports demands a comprehensive strategy that incorporates reliable daily routines in a number of domains. The habits I adopt are daily stretching, breathhold workouts, cardio and pool training.
What support did you wish to have in the beginning of your freediving career?
I approach the response to this question in a different way. Throughout my freediving career, I tried to give myself all the support I needed and never relied on others.
In light of your journey and experiences, what message would you like to convey to aspiring athletes?
From my journey and experiences, I’d like to convey the following message: Set your goals and work to achieve them, never give up and face the barriers.
What is the value of women empowerment in the athletic world? What do you think is the most significant barrier to female empowerment?
Because women are part of the society, empowering women in the athletic world will expand her participation in competitions and championships, by encouraging her to join any kind of sport with rules that suit her. Nowadays I see women are much stronger and can do their best in every field they work even if barriers are no longer an issue to women, they can easily get through it and face it with solutions that suit them well.
When was the Kuwaiti national freediving team created? How do you feel about being one of the first members to join?
The Kuwait national freediving team was created very recently, in 2023. When Kuwait diving & lifesaving club decided to host the CMAS world free diving championship they wanted to establish a female freediving team to join in the competition, and I was one of the ladies who was chosen to join the team. I’m so happy and proud to be a member of this team, also this pushes me to work harder and on a regular basis.
What distinguishes freediving from other water sports (such as swimming and scuba diving)?
The main difference relies on the breathwork needed. Freediving is a sport done with one last breath kept in the lung. Also, diving requires a safety team always present with the free diver even in training. It must not be done alone. Scuba diving is a sport done with compressed air supplying you while you dive. Swimming is a sport that is practiced while breathing.
What is the achievement that you are looking forward to reaching next?
I’m looking forward to maximizing my distance in all disciplines in freediving and extending my static breath hold, so mainly I always want to break my records with higher numbers. As we come to the close of this exploration into the world of indoor freediving, it’s clear that this unique sport transcends mere physical challenge; it is a profound testament to the human spirit’s resilience and adaptability. For pioneers like Aliaa, who defy the confines of conventional diving by embracing the controlled environment of indoor pools, the journey is as much about mental fortitude as it is about breath control and technique. The serene depths of the pool offer a canvas where concentration and discipline create a dance of precision and grace, revealing the extraordinary potential of the human body and mind. Aliaa’s achievements remind us that the quest for excellence often requires innovation and a willingness to explore new frontiers. As indoor free-diving continues to gain recognition, it stands as a beacon of how dedication and passion can transform a niche pursuit into a compelling narrative of human achievement. In every dive, every breath held, and every boundary pushed, there lies an inspiring story of perseverance and a profound connection to the depths of one’s own potential.
