Stephen Keenan (1977 – 2017) is an Irish freediver famous for devoting his life to his passion for the deep sea. A lover of the ocean and a thrill-seeker, this fearless Dubliner has dedicated his career to the secrets of deep-sea freediving. After taking part in competitions, he specialized himself as a safety freediver, supervising high-level freedivers in their practice.
A passion that sadly cost him his life in 2017, when he attempted to save freedivers Allessia Zuchinni in a heroic gesture.
A look back at the life of a true hero.
Stephen Keenan was born on December 1, 1977 in Dublin, Ireland.
From an early age, Steve has been fascinated by the underwater world. Diving escapades with her father, Peter, sowed the seeds of a love that would shape her life.
But Stephen Keenan is a tortured man. When he comes of age, he seems to have trouble finding meaning in his life. In search of answers and driven by his thirst for adventure, he travels to remote regions, from the Amazon to the Congo, seeking to discover the wonders of nature.
But it’s in Dahab, an Egyptian oasis famous for the Blue Hole, that his heart finds its true home. It was here that he immersed himself in Egyptian culture, learning Arabic and discovering an all-consuming passion for freediving, a sport that was to define his destiny.
Stephen quickly distinguished himself by his exceptional apnea skills. Fascinated by the sport, he learned its every secret, and excelled in both practice and theory.
The year 2009 marks a turning point in his career.
With unfailing determination, the young Irishman smashed the Irish record for deep apnea.
However, a terrifying encounter with syncope, a depth-related loss of consciousness, steered him towards the field of safety freediving. His job: to ensure the safety of top-level competitive freedivers, some of whom reach depths of over 100 metres!
Conscientious and diligent, Stephen accompanies them and multiplies the devices to limit the risks, despite the danger of the discipline.
His professionalism has earned him an international reputation, not only for his skills but also for his sense of sacrifice.
His name became almost legendary in 2013, when he saved freediver Alexey Molchanova during a competition. It was a heroic act, which caught the attention of all the other competitors. From then on, all professional freedivers demanded to have it with them during their competitions!
Dahab Freedivers, the diving center he founded in Egypt, became an institution, attracting divers from all over the world.
It was here that he met Alessia Zecchini at the 2017 Vertical Blue competition. This young Italian is a promising freediver whose enthusiasm sometimes seems hard to channel.
But Stephen spotted her and decided to coach her. Thanks to her hard work and advice, Alessia went on to break the women’s freediving world record, cementing their professional and personal bond.
For their success is not limited to sport. Stephen soon falls in love with the young Italian girl. A passionate, fusional relationship ensues.
Everything looks idyllic for the two freedivers. Until the day they decide to attempt a new record: that of allowing Allessia Zuchinni to cross the rocky arch of the dreaded Blue Hole in Egypt.
The project is perilous and terribly dangerous. After weeks of preparation, the couple decided to go for it.
On July 22, 2017, the operation turned tragic.
While Stephen is supposed to meet Allessia underwater to secure her after her crossing of the Ark, the young man delays going down to join her. The 20-second delay was fatal.
Aware of his bad timing, he rushes down to join Alessia, and makes the heroic choice of saving her… at the risk of his own life.
He then showed admirable courage, guiding the young freediver to the surface. Although he managed to bring her to safety, the exhausting nature of the effort cost him his life. Deprived of air for too long, he died as a result of the incident.
Netflix documentary “Au plus profond” is dedicated to Stephen Keenan
Stephen Keenan passed away that day, but his legacy lives on. For many, it remains a symbol of dedication and sacrifice, reminding everyone of the dangers and beauty of freediving.
Allessia Zecchini, has been paying tribute to him ever since the accident, calling him a true legendary hero.
After a flurry of tributes, a documentary released on Netflix on July 19, 2023 brought the fate of this courageous dublinoix into the eyes of the World. Entitled The Deepest Breathe, it traces the lives of Stephen and Alessia Zecchini, from their childhood to the tragic day of the
