Hi, my name is Carlos R. Villamar. Please support my preparation for an Ecuador M2 freediving record at the UNU Tampa Bay Freediving Challenge December 2026.

In freediving, M2 refers to a masters age category for athletes ages 60-69. For me, this campaign is about pursuing age-category national-record performances through disciplined training, official competition, and calm execution under pressure.

Freediving is not about force or ego. It is about breath control, patience, technique, safety, and the ability to stay calm when the body wants to rush. My personal standard is simple: no ego, no peer pressure, no proving. The real competition is myself.

This Campaign Has two Missions

The athletic mission is to prepare properly for an Ecuadorian national-record campaign in pool freediving.

The community mission is to pay forward any funds raised beyond what is needed to complete the campaign by donating the remainder to a swimming program for children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities.

What I Am Training For

My planned competition events include static apnea and dynamic apnea pool disciplines.

For those new to freediving:

Static apnea is holding the breath while floating calmly at the surface.

Dynamic with bifins is swimming underwater for distance using two fins or a monofin.

Dynamic without fins is swimming underwater for distance using only the body.

From the outside, freediving can sound like simply "holding your breath." In reality, these events require discipline, efficient movement, mental control, safety awareness, and deep respect for the water.

Why Ecuador and Why Now

The first stage of this campaign is a planned Ecuador setup trip in late June 2026. I expect to travel to Guayaquil around June 24, 2026, and stay for approximately 10 days.

During that trip, I want to connect with the Ecuadorian freediving community, work toward the proper FEDASUB (Federación Ecuatoriana de Actividades Subacuáticas / Ecuadorian Underwater Activities Federation) registration pathway, and better understand the process for pursuing Ecuadorian national-record recognition.

This trip is the first practical step in building the foundation for the national-record campaign.

After that, the focus shifts to training, equipment, coaching, record-recognition logistics, and preparation for the December 2026 UNU Tampa CMAS (Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques / World Underwater Federation) international competition.

Follow the Journey

I want all contributors to feel like they are part of the effort and journey.

As the campaign progresses, I plan to share regular updates directly on this page so supporters can follow the process as it develops.

These updates will include:

training clips, land-based work, and pool training;

reflections on the mental and psychological side of freediving;

updates on the Ecuador setup trip;

behind-the-scenes preparation for the Tampa competition; and

progress reports as the campaign moves from training to competition.

This is a long campaign, and I want the people who support it to see the work, not just the final result.

Paying It Forward

All funds raised beyond what is needed to complete the mission will be donated to to a swimming program for children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities.

Water has given me discipline, healing, confidence, and purpose. I want this campaign not only to support my own journey, but also to help others experience the freedom and confidence that can come through the water.

Why This Matters to Me

I am a veteran, engineer, patent attorney, inventor, and entrepreneur. Throughout my life, I have been drawn to difficult missions that require patience, discipline, and sustained effort.

Freediving is one of those missions.

At this stage of life, the goal is not to prove something to others. The goal is to demonstrate what is still possible through calm training, humility, consistency, and courage.

I want to pursue this record campaign the right way: with respect for the sport, respect for safety, respect for the rules, and gratitude for everyone who helps make the journey possible.

Thank you for considering supporting this campaign.

Whether you contribute financially, share the campaign, offer advice, follow the training updates, or simply encourage the effort, you are helping move the mission forward.

The path is Guayaquil first, Tampa next, and full effort in the water.

No ego. Calm execution. Full effort.

Budget and Campaign Goals

The campaign goal is based on good-faith estimates. Every contribution helps. If the full goal is not reached, the funds raised will still help move the mission forward by supporting training, travel, equipment, and preparation.

A Note on Our Fundraising Milestones

Because this campaign spans several months, moving from the Ecuador setup trip in June to the international competition in December, the funding goals are based on progressive milestones. The initial starting goal of $2,800 is dedicated to launching Phase 1: the Ecuador Setup Trip and foundational registration. As each milestone is achieved, the campaign target will automatically scale up toward our total estimated project budget of $12,200.

Ecuador Setup Trip

$1,400-$2,200

Round-trip travel to Guayaquil, food, local transportation, meetings with Ecuadorian freediving contacts, FEDASUB registration steps, and documentation needed to support the Ecuador national-record pathway.

Competition Equipment

$1,500-$2,000

Competition wetsuit, neck weights, weight belt, weights, freediving accessories, shipping, and equipment needed for training and competition.

Tampa UNU CMAS Trip

$2,500-$3,500

Round-trip travel to Tampa, lodging, meals, local transportation, arrival days before the event, competition days, and return travel.

Record-Recognition and Compliance Costs

$1,000-$1,500

Medical, anti-doping, administrative, and official record-recognition costs that may apply to record attempts.

Training and Preparation

$800-$1,500

Pool time, coaching, video review, training sessions, and structured preparation leading into the December competition.

Campaign and Project Costs

$1,000-$1,500

Platform costs, payment processing, baggage, travel adjustments, price changes, and remaining project expenses.