INTERVIEW
We asked everyone who enjoyed the underwater world with us to share their precious memories with Apollo.
Vol.1
jun 04 2025 INTERVIEW
Ryuzo Shinomiya
professional free diver
apnea works Co., Ltd. Representative
What’s great about Apollo products is that they develop gear from a unique perspective that no other company has, and they continue to make products that will be loved for a long time.
He holds the Japanese record for CWT-115m and FIM-104m. In 2009, he became the first Asian to surpass Jacques Mayol’s personal best of 105m. In 2010, he won the silver medal as Japan’s representative in the World Championships, which was held for the first time in Asia, when Okinawa was chosen to host the event. He retired in 2016 and now runs a school in Okinawa and holds tours around the country. He photographs cetaceans, free divers, and underwater models from around the world, and his photographs are used in magazines, advertisements, and commercials both in Japan and abroad. His publications include “HERITAGE,” “Blue Zone,” “Switch of the Heart,” and “The Best Free Diving in the World.”
Official site
https://apneaworks.com
— Please tell us how and why you first became involved with our company.
For about four years from 2004, I was kindly supported by the service department of the founder as a free diving competitor. From the seasons of 2005 to 2007, I was able to win the overall championship in international competitions for three consecutive years. In 2008, I also became the first Asian person to reach a depth of 100 meters.
I’m very happy to have competed on the world stage wearing Apollo wetsuits and achieved some modest results. *Apparently, all members of the Japanese team wore Apollo suits at the time. The suit was the first Japanese model to surpass 100m, and was featured in the Apollo catalog at the time as Shinomiya’s signature model.
— Has there been a time when you’ve changed or grown with our company, or when it was a turning point?
The biggest turning point was my achievement of 100m in 2008. I think I was able to prove that Asians can do it too. I am very grateful for the support. I also tried to see if bio-fins could be used in competitions. While measuring my time for 25m dives in the pool, I explored what swimming style and speed would be most efficient.
— What was your first time using our company and our products that you found particularly memorable?
As expected, the Bio Fins have a small internal volume and a great fit thanks to the Bio Metal Mask, and the propeller effect means that they move forward with little effort. The Bio Fins in particular are a luxurious product made from natural rubber, and the unique concept behind them left a lasting impression. The suit provided was also very soft and easy to move in. What’s great about Apollo products is that they commercialize gear from a unique perspective not found in other companies, and they continue to create products that will be loved for a long time.
— Please send us your message for our 60th anniversary!
Congratulations on your 60th anniversary. Please continue to liven up Japan’s diving industry with your unique product lineup! And thank you for your continued support of the freediving industry. We look forward to your continued support. And we hope you continue to make the same long-running products you have been making thus far!