Freediver Stig Severinsen swims 662 feet underwater
Guinness said Severinsen, 47, completed the swim on November 26 in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
The previous record of 177 meters was set in 2016 by Carlos Coste.
Severinsen said his record-breaking swim aimed at raising environmental awareness.
“When the world was hit by Covid-19 almost a year ago, I was looking for a way to show that the pandemic was not an excuse to forget our priorities for nature, or put our ambitions on standby. On the contrary. That is why I have spent the time training and developing both myself and my message.”
Severinsen described the 202 meter distance as “symbolic.”
Severinsen also holds the record for the longest distance swum under ice with fins and a diving suit, and without fins and a diving suit, at 152.4 meters and 76.2 meters, respectively.
He also set a 2012 record for the longest timed breath held voluntarily, holding his breath for 22 minutes. That record has since been broken and stands at 24 minutes and 3.45 seconds.