Lily Crespy
Freediver- Instructor
Born in 1981 and raised in the French Alps, Lily Crespy has always felt most at home in the water—whether swimming in alpine lakes and rivers, the turquoise seas of Corsica, or the local pool. After seven years working in neuroscience, her life took an unexpected turn during a trip through Asia in 2012, where she spontaneously signed up for a beginner freediving course. It was an instant revelation—love at first dive.
Freediving quickly became her way of life. By 2013, she had become a certified instructor, eventually advancing to AIDA Instructor Trainer. Her career has taken her across the globe, teaching and inspiring students in Bali, the Philippines, and Egypt. She also co-owns Dahab Freedivers, a prominent school in Dahab, Egypt, which she managed for three years.
Lily is deeply involved in every aspect of competitive freediving. Since 2013, she has steadily climbed the ranks in her three favorite depth disciplines, regularly placing among the top five deepest French female freedivers. Her dedication earned her a place on the French national elite team, representing her country at the World Championships in 2015, 2017, and 2021. She’s also contributed to the sport behind the scenes, serving as a safety diver at major events such as Vertical Blue 2018, where she trained under Marco Cosentino.
In addition to teaching and competing, Lily is passionate about underwater photography, capturing the artistic side of freediving through her lens. Her visual work is published under the name Chips Photography.
Having trained and worked with some of the world’s leading freedivers—including Miguel Lozano, Pascal Berger, Stephen Keenan, and Alchemy athletes Thibault Guignès and Cristian Castaño Villa—Lily now lives in France. There, she continues to coach, with a growing focus on her favorite specialty: mental training.