This September I will formalising a concept, something I have enjoyed doing myself for years, and something I have promoted among my freediver students since I became an instructor myself! This can be called 'Freediving Exploring' or maybe others might think of it as recreational freediving (or even advanced snorkelling!). In essence it is using freediving as a means to explore the marine environment and discover the underwater surroundings, the difference is it will have formalised planning, protocols, safety and equipment set-up specifically for the task of freediving exploring on the move.
As freediving has so many possible directions that can be taken, it is often up to the instructor of the initial freediving course(s) that you take as to which direction you proceed (depth training and competition are at the forefront for the majority of instructors). One certainty is that all freediving courses are based around learning and practicing motor skills with the aim of meeting a performance time or distance/depth requirement. This, of course, is for good reason, as like it or not freediving IS a sport. Many people that get into freediving might not see themselves as the 'sporty' type, but by definition it is a physical activity that you need to practice and train to get better at and contains a competitive element (often this can be competition against self, i.e; to beat your own PB's).
But why does this have to be the end goal or outcome objective in itself? That if you are not going deeper or longer each week, month or year you are not doing it 'right'. I have often said to my students that a good rationale to aim to be able to do a 30m deep training dive is that subsequently it will make a 10-12m reef dive seem super comfortable and therefore more enjoyable.
There is the quote that gets often thrown around that "Scuba divers look outside while freedivers look within themselves". I'm suggesting that freedivers can also look outside! This might seem obvious, but I have even taken very experienced freedivers out and shown them for the very first time the joy of NOT line training for once, but exploring and appreciating the marine environment.
Those that have trained with me, know that I am always one to make a detour to the reef, visit a swim through or locate a octopus hideout :) at the end of an open water training session. If this is the reason you wanted to freedive in the first place then why not make this the session?!
As freediving has so many possible directions that can be taken, it is often up to the instructor of the initial freediving course(s) that you take as to which direction you proceed (depth training and competition are at the forefront for the majority of instructors). One certainty is that all freediving courses are based around learning and practicing motor skills with the aim of meeting a performance time or distance/depth requirement. This, of course, is for good reason, as like it or not freediving IS a sport. Many people that get into freediving might not see themselves as the 'sporty' type, but by definition it is a physical activity that you need to practice and train to get better at and contains a competitive element (often this can be competition against self, i.e; to beat your own PB's).
But why does this have to be the end goal or outcome objective in itself? That if you are not going deeper or longer each week, month or year you are not doing it 'right'. I have often said to my students that a good rationale to aim to be able to do a 30m deep training dive is that subsequently it will make a 10-12m reef dive seem super comfortable and therefore more enjoyable.
There is the quote that gets often thrown around that "Scuba divers look outside while freedivers look within themselves". I'm suggesting that freedivers can also look outside! This might seem obvious, but I have even taken very experienced freedivers out and shown them for the very first time the joy of NOT line training for once, but exploring and appreciating the marine environment.
Those that have trained with me, know that I am always one to make a detour to the reef, visit a swim through or locate a octopus hideout :) at the end of an open water training session. If this is the reason you wanted to freedive in the first place then why not make this the session?!
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What are some objectives of a Freediving Exploring session?:
✅ Observing the nature of marine life and marine habitat
✅ Having fun, enjoying the process of diving and being playful and curious in the water
✅ Learning to explore and freedive with buddies in a safe way
✅ Achieving different goals; going through a tunnel or seeing an octopus for the first time
✅ Helping the marine environment; observing habitat change, collecting trash etc
Why go with a qualified freediving instructor for guided freediving exploring?:
✅ Knowledge of where all the good stuff is located! Wrecks, caves, swim throughs etc
✅ Safety as the priority allowing you to dive and explore knowing that you have your own safety diver watching you
✅ Extensive knowledge to share on the marine environment and wrecks
I am going to expand on this subject and in future blog posts I am going to look at:
So look out for these posts at a later date! Let me know your thoughts in the comments section and thank you for reading this blog post.
✅ Observing the nature of marine life and marine habitat
✅ Having fun, enjoying the process of diving and being playful and curious in the water
✅ Learning to explore and freedive with buddies in a safe way
✅ Achieving different goals; going through a tunnel or seeing an octopus for the first time
✅ Helping the marine environment; observing habitat change, collecting trash etc
Why go with a qualified freediving instructor for guided freediving exploring?:
✅ Knowledge of where all the good stuff is located! Wrecks, caves, swim throughs etc
✅ Safety as the priority allowing you to dive and explore knowing that you have your own safety diver watching you
✅ Extensive knowledge to share on the marine environment and wrecks
I am going to expand on this subject and in future blog posts I am going to look at:
- Suitable protocols for safety while exploring off the line
- Proper equipment set up for freediving exploring
So look out for these posts at a later date! Let me know your thoughts in the comments section and thank you for reading this blog post.
By David Watson, Owner, Founder & Head Instructor / AIDA Instructor Trainer at One Breath Freediving .
