Static apnea is a traditional Arab sport inspired by the ancient pearl diving heritage of the Arabian Gulf. Rooted in the endurance and breath-holding skills of early pearl divers, the sport challenges competitors to submerge themselves underwater at depths of 1 to 5 meters without equipment or prior oxygen hyperventilation, holding their breath for as long as possible. Three judges record the time spent underwater, and the official result is the average of their measurements. After resurfacing, each athlete must remain conscious and stable in the water for one minute, known as “medical time,” to demonstrate full control and alertness. Before each attempt, participants are given up to 10 minutes (15 in the finals) of “concentration time” to prepare mentally and physically, either in or out of the water. Today, static apnea continues to celebrate the skill, calmness, and discipline that once defined the pearl divers of the United Arab Emirates.
Microgate
Freediving Performance Systems
Static Apnea Championship in Dubai
Every year, the Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai hosts a prestigious international static apnea, or freediving, competition in which Microgate serves as the technological partner, providing precise time recording, TV graphics, and full event management including registrations and athlete coordination. The event brings together nearly 90 participants from 17 countries, including competitors from the Gulf region, professional athletes, and junior divers. Spectators are captivated by the incredible performances and endurance displayed in this demanding discipline. In one memorable edition, Branko Petrovic achieved an extraordinary time of 10 minutes and 15 seconds, a feat made possible through exceptional physical conditioning combined with deep focus, meditation, and relaxation techniques.
Precision Timing with Witty Timer
For the competition, the organisers required a timing system that displayed the time clearly on a monitor and allowed judges to start and stop the measurement with a single, simple control. The Witty Timer was selected to meet these needs. Although typically used for training, it proved perfectly suitable for competitive events that do not require precision to the ten thousandth of a second. Equipped with an ergonomic start and stop button, the Witty Timer can be comfortably held in the hand or worn around the neck, making it practical for judges in any setting. Its large, full colour display and smartphone-like interface, along with firmware specially customised for the event, ensured easy operation and accuracy. The local judges, some of whom were new to high level timing, were highly satisfied with its performance and user experience.
Smart Technology for Registration and Timing
During registration, each contestant received a waterproof wristband linked to the Witty RFID scanner, which was used both to record the chip information during sign-up and to verify the athlete’s identity before immersion. The Witty system also included the Witty SEM light signal, which displayed red or green when competitors scanned their wristbands for identification, and indicated the countdown during the concentration phase. Timing was managed through twelve Witty stopwatches, with three judges assigned to each of the four competition areas. The start and stop signals from these devices were transmitted to two Witty COMBOX units connected to computers running the DiveRace software, which served as the central control system for the entire event.
