Vera Giampetro, a Swiss athlete of Italian descent, grew up in Bellinzona, Ticino, near the serene Lago Maggiore. Brimming with energy, she’s a multi-hyphenate: freediver, climber, yogi, skier, model, and speaker. Her journey spans from the tranquil lakes of Ticino to Lausanne’s buzzing nightlife, from teaching skiing in Andermatt to chasing depth records in Dahab, Egypt.
With 29 Swiss national freediving records (the last one is from the day before yesterday!) already under her belt, she’ll attempt a world record in the CMAS Constant Weight Without Fins in fresh water category on June 5 and 6—yes, that’s this week.
We first met Vera in 2022 at a penthouse workshop hosted by the Royal Savoy—an intro to freediving followed by an apéro in the hotel’s lush garden. She led the session, and we were hooked. Both by the sport and by her presence.
Freediving is a paradox—at once thrilling and deeply meditative. It’s a physical challenge and a mental reset. Each dive asks you to go deeper into yourself, connecting with nature in a way that feels weightless and free.
To really understand the magic, we met Vera in Dahab, the spiritual home of freediving. Picture Verbier for divers: an old Bedouin village wedged between red mountains and turquoise sea, where camels roam and full-moon rituals share space with flat whites and kite surfers.
It’s here, over a slow breakfast and fresh lemon-mint juice on a terrace by the sea, that we begin our conversation. Vera nudges her iced macchiato aside, smiles, leans in, and says, “Allora, shall we begin?”
Let’s start at the beginning—Vera, how do you describe yourself?
I have a mixed identity; growing up in Ticino made me feel like an Italian in Switzerland and like a small Swiss girl in Italy. It gave me a dual identity that colored a lot of my life.
In 2010 I started my studies at UNIGE, in Geneva. But instead of moving to Geneva, I chose to stay in Lausanne, right in the city center near the old town. That´s where my life was– I was not going to move to Geneva, please! To support my studies I worked at some of the coolest spots in town - Brasserie de Chateau, Cafe Bellini, Le Comptoir, The Great Escape, and more.
In my early 20s, I started solo traveling and discovered a lot of new countries. I felt alive. When I was 27, I started coming to Egypt and fell in love with Dahab and its unique community. I haven´t found anywhere else quite like it – you can be yourself and not be judged for it.
When I started competing in freediving I had to choose a flag, which passport to use – Italian or Swiss. It was a significant movement in shaping my identity. The decision wasn´t difficult; I chose Switzerland because it´s the country where I grew up, and in my heart, I truly feel Swiss. However, when I´m abroad, I am often perceived as an Italian due to my language and last name.
What were some of the turning points or struggles that shaped your journey?
I started freediving in a dark moment in my life. I was going out in Lausanne way too much; drinking, partying, and not very happy. And at one point during this period, intuition told me to sign up for a freed-diving course. I had tried the sport before and liked it, but I had gotten too distracted by the nightlife in Lausanne.
"Getting involved with free diving helped me quit the bad habits and gave me a clear direction in life, and a purpose."
I quickly became a freediving instructor. I was told I had a gift for it, and I felt like I was made for it. I could soon hold my breath for longer and descend deeper. The deeper I dived, the more I fell in love with the sport.
Then something unexpected happened. I developed an ear infection from spending too much time in the water. While this is common and usually not serious, it led to something much worse. During a visit to the hospital in Egypt for treatment, a doctor accidentally perforated my eardrum by injecting water at too high a pressure. This turned out to be disastrous - this wasn't a minor tear, but a serious medical error that left a large part of my eardrum missing. Diving became impossible.
After this unfortunate event, I had to summon all my positivity and willpower to try to find a solution. Having this trauma stopped me from freediving immediately. Specialist after specialist, in different countries, told me my ear would never fully recover, and that further surgery wasn't worth the risk. But I didn’t accept that. It would have meant giving up the sport entirely. Thankfully, my determination paid off. Today, after five surgeries, I can dive again. I can compete again.
When I fall in love with something – especially something that connects me so deeply to who I am – I simply can't let go. I was even willing to lose my hearing entirely for my passion for free diving.
Tell us about free diving. What does it mean to you?
There is so much to talk about – I could speak for hours! Apart from the physical side, free diving is about accepting discomfort and having the capability to manage under pressure. It teaches us how to be fully present in the moment. You can dive well only if you relax your body and mind while accepting the discomfort of increasing pressure on the body while the carbon dioxide buildup burns in your lungs.
Even dipping just below the surface in shallow water can be a new and challenging experience. Our brain has to process it and learn how to survive in this hostile yet peaceful environment. Then, as we gradually go deeper and hold our breath longer, we face many mental and physical challenges that push us toward our full potential. Knowing the surface is above us, that we are safe, gives us the confidence to test our limits.
But always remember, never dive alone! Always have a buddy who can help in the rare instance that something happens.
"Free diving mirrors life in many ways. It teaches us to know how to respond under pressure."
When I first started competing, I struggled with self-confidence and carried many insecurities as a young woman. The sport brought many of these emotions to the surface, and I had to learn how to face and manage them. This journey has made me the person I am today.
Thank you Vera for spending the afternoon with us, and sharing some insight into your passion.
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Follow Vera on Instagram and visit her website where you can discover more about her teaching, workshops, as well as sponsorship opportunities.
