Jacques Mayol

Jacques Mayol (1927–2001) was a French free-diving pioneer and the holder of multiple world records in the discipline. He was the first diver to reach 100 meters under the sea without breathing apparatus, a feat he achieved in 1976. Mayol's life and career inspired the cult movie The Big Blue.

Early life

Jacques Mayol was born on April 1, 1927, in Shanghai, China, to French parents. He spent his early childhood in Japan, where he developed a fascination with the sea and diving. At the age of seven, he began to practice breath-hold diving, a discipline that would later become his life's passion.

Career

Mayol began his professional diving career in the 1950s. He quickly distinguished himself in the field of free-diving, a form of underwater diving that relies on divers' ability to hold their breath until resurfacing rather than on the use of breathing apparatus.

In 1966, Mayol set his first world record by diving to a depth of 60 meters. He continued to break his own records throughout the 1970s, culminating in his historic 100-meter dive in 1976. This achievement made him the first person to reach such a depth without the aid of breathing apparatus, earning him the nickname "Dolphin Man".

Mayol's diving philosophy was deeply influenced by Eastern spiritual practices. He was a practitioner of yoga and meditation, which he believed helped him to achieve a state of harmony with the sea and to extend his breath-holding capacity.

Legacy

Mayol's achievements in free-diving have had a lasting impact on the sport. His holistic approach to diving, which combines physical training with spiritual practices, continues to inspire divers around the world.

Mayol's life and career were the inspiration for the 1988 film The Big Blue, directed by Luc Besson. The film, which depicts the friendly rivalry between Mayol and Italian diver Enzo Maiorca, has achieved cult status among diving enthusiasts.

Death

Mayol died by suicide on December 22, 2001, in Elba, Italy. He was 74 years old. His death was widely mourned in the diving community.

See also

• Free-diving
• The Big Blue
• Enzo Maiorca