Photos capture spectacular freediving moments under icy lake in Banff

Jungmin Ham Feb 3, 2024 3:15 PM
Freedivers Gerardo Haelewyn from Mexico, right, and Dakota Doolaege from Edmonton haul their dive equipment on sleds across Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO ▲
Jeff Szymanski checks the dive site via GPS at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). Parks Canada places special restrictions on ice diving in Banff National Park and all dive groups (both private and commercial) must obtain a Restricted Activity Permit (RAP) prior to ice diving. JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO ▲
Mark DuBois freedives beneath ice at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO ▲
Jeff Szymanski using a chainsaw to cut a hole into the ice for freediving at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO ▲
Jeff Szymanski puts a self-drilling screw on each piece of ice for freediving at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO ▲
Teighan Fioritti, left, and Sheryl Penner haul a large block of ice out of Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO ▲
Jeff Szymanski cuts a hole into the ice for freedivers at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO ▲
Sabrina Figliomeni lowers an anchor rope for freediving at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO ▲
Sabrina Figliomeni, centre, briefs to freedivers rules on ice freediving and guidelines to protect the marine environment at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). Parks Canada places special restrictions on ice diving in Banff National Park and all dive groups (both private and commercial) must obtain a Restricted Activity Permit (RAP) prior to ice diving. JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO ▲
Freediver Dakota Doolaege puts on his wetsuit in preparation for ice freediving at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO ▲
Freediver Sheryl Penner, left, and Mark DuBois put on their booties in preparation for ice freediving at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO ▲
Freediver Dakota Doolaege dives first to check the condition of the cold water under the ice at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO ▲
Freediver Dakota Doolaege free dives under the ice at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO▲
Freediver Dana Litvak floats under water to acclimate to the cold water in preparation for freediving at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO▲
Freediver Mark DuBois floats in a whole to acclimatize to the cold water in preparation for ice freediving at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO ▲
Freediver Sheryl Penner floats in a whole to acclimatize to the cold water in preparation for ice freediving at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO ▲
Freediver Sheryl Penner's fins as she descends while freediving at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO▲
Freediver Sheryl Penner prepares to resurface while freediving at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO▲
Freediver Dana Litvak holds the anchor rope and goes freediving under the ice at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO▲
Free diver Dakota Doolaege takes a freediving and captures pure and beautiful glacial ice on his camera at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO ▲
Freediver Gerardo Haelewyn resurfaces while ice freediving at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO ▲
Freediver Mark DuBois, left, gives a high five to celebrate Taegyong Lee's first ice freediving at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park on Saturday (Jan. 27). JUNGMIN HAM RMO PHOTO ▲

Rocky Mountain Outlook photographer Jungmin Ham captured a group freediving at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park Jan. 27.

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