Stephen Keenan and Alessia Zecchini are the two free divers whose story is now documented in the Series “The Deepest Breath”, released on 14 July 2023 on Netflix, which covers Stephen Keenan’s heroic attempt to save his love from the mouth of death.
Stephen Keenan is a renowned figure in the world of freediving. With a background in scuba instruction, Stephen’s life took a remarkable turn when he fell in love with diving in 2009.
His dedication and hard work led him to establish a successful freediving training centre, where he not only trained and coached divers but also organized diving competitions worldwide.
However, his life-changing moment came in 2017 during an incident at the Dahab sinkhole in the Red Sea. Stephen Keenan, a prominent figure in the world of freediving, was born on December 1, 1980, in Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland.
At the age of 36 in 2016, he achieved a lot, but due to one tragic incident, he lost his life and left behind his family.
While accompanying freedivers as a safety diver, he experienced a blackout at depth but was saved by fellow safety divers.
This incident inspired Stephen to shift his focus towards safety diving, and he became a prominent figure in ensuring the safety of divers at various freediving events and championships.
How Did Diver Stephen Keenan Die?
Tragically, Stephen Keenan lost his life in a heroic attempt to save his partner, Alessia Zecchini, during a fateful freediving expedition at the notorious Blue Hole challenge on July 22nd, 2017.
Stephen played a crucial role in preparing Alessia for her record-breaking dives at the Vertical Blue competition, and their close bond eventually blossomed into a romantic relationship.
When Alessia attempted the challenging dive without monofins, Stephen was positioned to receive her with a rope as she emerged from the arch tunnel.
However, due to a slight delay in his entry into the water and a faster swim by Alessia, they missed each other during the critical moment.
Desperately searching for Stephen and the rope, Alessia swam in the wrong direction. In a moment of true heroism, Stephen spotted Alessia and quickly rushed to her aid, saving her from danger.
Despite his heroic act, there was no one to assist Stephen, and he tragically succumbed to suffocation. Stephen Keenan’s courageous sacrifice at the Blue Hole saved the life of his beloved, Alessia, whom he had vowed to protect.
His legacy as a dedicated and brave safety diver will forever be remembered in the freediving community.
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Netflix’s The Deepest Breath Documentary Diver Stephen Keenan Journey
He had already made significant strides in the diving community. Stephen started diving in 2009 and quickly developed a passion for the sport.
His dedication and hard work led him to establish a free-diving training centre, where he trained numerous individuals in the art of safe diving.
Not only did he coach aspiring divers, but he also organized diving competitions across the globe.
Stephen’s life took a dramatic turn during an incident in 2017 at the Dahab sinkhole in the Red Sea, a site known for its high fatality rate. While saving another diver, Alessia Zecchini, he experienced a blackout in the ocean’s depths.
Thanks to the presence of safety divers, Stephen was rescued, and this near-death experience became a turning point in his professional path.
Before diving became the focal point of Stephen’s life, he harboured dreams of adventure and exploration in Africa.
Travelling through the continent, he sought the thrill of encountering gorillas in the Northern Congo. However, he eventually settled in Dahab, Egypt, captivated by the beauty of the place and its Blue Hole sinkhole.
Stephen immersed himself in the local culture, learned Arabic, and worked as a diving and scuba instructor.
His love for diving grew, leading him to pursue freediving competitions. Despite facing challenges and a dangerous accident during a record attempt in Greece, Stephen persevered and shifted his focus to become a safety diver.
With extensive training and experience, he excelled in his new role and earned a reputation as a reliable safety chief at various freediving events and organizations.
Initially struggling in the competition, Alessia’s fortunes changed when she began training with Stephen. Under his guidance, she transformed into a remarkable diver and achieved great success.
Stephen Keenan embarked on his journey as a safety diver and established a successful freediving centre in collaboration with fellow divers.
His exceptional skills and reputation as a safety diver were solidified when he heroically rescued Alexey, the son of renowned freediver Natalia Molchanova, from drowning during a freediving competition.
His prowess in the field caught the attention of the prestigious Vertical Blue championship organizers, who invited him to serve as a safety diver at the event in the Bahamas.
It was during this championship that he crossed paths with Alessia Zecchini, one of the participants. Struggling in her performances, Alessia faced setbacks in the competition’s initial stages, unable to complete her dives cleanly.
Throughout his career, Stephen Keenan saved lives, trained hundreds of divers, set Irish records, and partnered with Alessia Zecchini as her safety diver and coach.
He founded Dahab Freedivers, a freediving centre, and continued to make a lasting impact on the world of diving until his untimely passing.
Stephen Keenan’s legacy lives on through the memories of those he touched and the thriving community of divers he inspired.
Stephen Keenan Parents: Meet His Brother Gary
Stephen Keenan was born to a loving and close-knit family in Glasnevin, Dublin. His parents, Peter and Maura Keenan, and his brother Gary adored him dearly.
His father, Peter Keenan, and brother, Gary, shared a special connection with him, supporting and encouraging him in all his endeavours.
Despite the tragedy of his untimely passing in the freediving incident, the memory of Stephen remains cherished in the hearts of his beloved family.
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Who is Stephen Keenan’s Wife? Meet His Girlfriend, Alessia Zecchini
Stephen Keenan’s romantic life was a journey filled with a quest for internal peace and a desire to find a special someone to settle down with and start a family of his own.
Previous relationships had not worked out, but everything changed when he met Alessia. Alessia shared a Netflix documentary poster and information on her Instagram handle.
Initially, their bond grew professionally as Stephen trained and supported Alessia during her challenging dives at Vertical Blue.
With time, their connection blossomed into something more profound, and they became very close to each other.
Stephen’s invitation to Alessia to attempt the infamous Blue Hole challenge in Dahab was a pivotal moment in their relationship, further strengthening their bond as they faced challenges together.
Stephen’s romantic life with Alessia brought him the sense of completeness he had been seeking, but tragically, it was cut short by the freediving tragedy at Blue Hole.
Despite the heartbreak of his loss, their love story remains a testament to the special connection they shared.
FAQs
How did Stephen Keenan die?
Stephen Keenan died during a Deep sea exploration challenge by his partner Alessia Zecchini. In an attempt to save her life, he sacrificed his life.
How Old was Stephen Keenan?
Stephen Keenan was 36 years old.
Who was Stephen Keenan’s partner?
Alessia Zecchini was Stephen Keenan’s partner.
Who is Stephen Keenan?
Stephen Keenan was a famous Irish professional skilled freediver and a deep sea explorer or a stuntman.
Who are Stephen Keenan’s Parents?
Stephen Keenan’s Parents are Peter Keenan and Maura Keenan.
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