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(Freediving Shellharbour with the Deep Sensations Crew)
When people hear the term "freediving," their first guess might be: “Oh, is that diving for free?” Well, not exactly. While it won’t break the bank on air tanks or rental gear, freediving is much more than just an economical underwater adventure. It’s an ancient and awe-inspiring way to connect with the ocean, your breath, and yourself.
So, what exactly is freediving? At its core, freediving is diving underwater on a single breath of air—no oxygen tanks, regulators, or bulky scuba gear. Instead, you rely solely on your lungs and your ability to relax and focus. Freediving is as much about inner calm and control as it is about physical ability. It’s about connecting with the water in its most natural form.
And, as we like to say in the freediving community: “There’s beauty at every depth—it’s not about how deep you go.”
Freediving vs. Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
To understand freediving better, let’s clear up some common misconceptions. Freediving isn’t just snorkeling on steroids or “scuba diving but holding your breath.” It’s a unique activity with its own skills, disciplines, and applications. Here’s a quick comparison:
Snorkeling: Think of snorkeling as the appetiser. You float on the surface, taking peeks below with a mask and snorkel. It’s easy, fun, and great for shallow water exploration. However, it doesn’t involve extended breath-holding or diving beneath the waves.
Scuba Diving: Scuba is the main course if you’re into extended underwater exploration. Using a tank of compressed air, divers can stay submerged for long periods. But with all the gear and bubbles, you’re a visitor rather than a seamless part of the marine environment.
Freediving: Freediving is the dessert—a pure, unencumbered experience. It’s silent, weightless, and peaceful. You hold your breath, dive down, and immerse yourself in the water. Freedivers often describe it as meditative and transformative.
Unlike scuba divers, who rely on equipment, or snorkelers, who stay on the surface, freedivers develop mental and physical skills to explore the underwater world on one lungful of air.
Freediving: More Than Just "Fun Diving"
Freediving isn’t just about swimming down to see some fish and returning to the surface. While many start as recreational freedivers, the sport branches into a variety of disciplines, both recreational and applied. Here’s a taste of what freediving can look like:
Recreational Freediving
Fun Diving: Exploring coral reefs, caves, or kelp forests at your own pace. It’s all about the joy of connecting with the water and marine life in a calm, natural way.
Depth Diving: If you’re drawn to the challenge, depth diving involves pushing your limits safely to explore the ocean’s depths. With proper training, you can experience the thrill of diving to new depths while staying relaxed and in control.
Pool Diving and Static Apnea: Not all freediving happens in the ocean! Pool training is an excellent way to build your breath-hold, technique, and confidence. Static apnea, for example, involves holding your breath for as long as possible while floating face down. It’s as much a mental exercise as a physical one.
Applied Freediving
Spearfishing: For many, freediving and spearfishing go hand-in-hand. Using breath-hold techniques, spearos sustainably hunt fish in their natural habitat. It’s a skill-intensive and rewarding way to source seafood.
Underwater Photography: Freediving offers unparalleled freedom to capture stunning underwater shots without the limitations of scuba gear. Photographers often find they can get closer to marine life and achieve unique, natural compositions.
Marine Conservation and Science: Freediving plays a vital role in marine research and conservation efforts. From coral reef surveys to whale shark monitoring, freedivers work in harmony with the environment to protect our oceans.
Commercial Applications: Beyond recreation, freediving is used in various industries. Pearl divers, for instance, rely on breath-hold techniques, as do safety divers in aquatic shows or even stunt professionals in film.
Why Freediving? The Benefits of Taking the Plunge
Freediving offers so much more than just a unique way to explore the ocean. Here are some of the reasons people fall in love with it:
Mental Calm: Freediving teaches you to slow your mind, focus, and find peace in the moment. Many freedivers describe it as a form of meditation.
Physical Fitness: Breath-holding and diving require strength, flexibility, and efficient oxygen use, making freediving an excellent workout.
Connection to Nature: Without noisy equipment or bubbles, freedivers experience the underwater world as if they belong there. You move gracefully, quietly, and in harmony with marine life.
Personal Growth: Overcoming challenges and fears in freediving builds confidence and resilience. It’s about pushing your limits while respecting them.
How to Get Started
If you’ve ever dreamed of gliding through the water like a dolphin or exploring the ocean in its purest form, freediving might be for you. It’s an accessible sport with a low barrier to entry—no expensive gear or certification required to begin.
Anyone can do it, I recently trained with a diver going 60m deep at the age of 70, and she started freediving at the age of 62!
All you need is a mask, fins, and snorkel to start. Of course, proper training is essential to learn the techniques, safety practices, and mental skills that make freediving safe and enjoyable.
Most beginners start with a Wave 1 or Level 1 Freediving Course, where you’ll learn:
How to breathe up and relax before a dive
Techniques for efficient swimming and equalisation
Safety skills like buddying and rescues
How to stay calm and enjoy the experience
There’s Beauty at Every Depth
Freediving is often seen as a journey rather than a destination. It’s not about reaching a specific depth or holding your breath for an impressive amount of time. It’s about learning to trust yourself, embracing the ocean, and finding joy in the experience—no matter how deep you go.
If you’re curious about taking the plunge, we’d love to help you start your freediving journey. Join us for a course, a retreat, or even just a social dive. Who knows? The ocean might just change your life.
Ready to dive in? Start your journey today with a Wave 1 Freediving Course. Explore our courses and retreats here.
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