One Breath Freediving
  • Home
  • About
    • Malta & Dive Sites
    • Dahab (Egypt) Freediving
    • Testimonials
    • Frequently Asked Question's
    • Price Lists
  • Courses
    • AIDA 1-4 Freediving Courses
    • AIDA Instructor Course
    • AIDA Youth Courses
    • AIDA FEMR Course
  • Freediving
    • Training, Coaching, Exploring & FUN Freediving
    • Freediving & Sailing Excursions
    • Freediving Workshops
    • Freediving Photography
  • Calendar
  • Store
  • Blog
    • Photo Gallery
  • Contact
    • Links

Living in the Now

27/7/2020

1 Comment

 
By David Watson, AIDA Instructor Trainer & PADI Master Freediver Instructor and Owner & Founder at One Breath Freediving
Picture
“Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time — past and future — the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.”
​

Eckhart Tolle
1 Comment

Natures Boost for Freedivers

8/2/2020

0 Comments

 
Ever wondered if there is a natural way to 'cheat' at freediving?
​This could be the answer! The studies seem to prove it. Watch the video to find out more....
0 Comments

10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Dahab to Freedive this Winter

27/11/2019

0 Comments

 
By David Watson, AIDA & PADI Master Freediver Instructor and Owner & Founder at One Breath Freediving, based in Malta

Dahab on the Red Sea Sinai coast of Egypt has long been home to a thriving freediving scene. Let’s look at ten good reasons you should visit as a freediver this winter!

1. Blue Hole:
Visit the famous Blue Hole of Dahab which has 100m deep water just metres from the shore (see photo). Here you will find some of the world’s top freedivers training alongside the stunning scenery of the deep blue water and mountain back drop.

2. Tropical Water:
The red sea is the closest tropical water to Europe and it is very different to the Mediterranean Sea with much more colours and corals. Here water temperatures range from 22c-30c, so even at its coldest in winter, it is still much warmer than the nearby Mediterranean at the same time of year.

3. Winter Sun:
Dahab is lovely and sunny! While Northern Europe gets rain and darkness, Egypt is still a lovely 18c-28c which is perfect without feeling like it is too much. And being in a desert region there is virtually no rain.

4. Depth:
Very easy access to depth for deeper freediving. The bay where Dahab sits is sheltered from any wind and gives depths of up to 50m just metres from the shore. For depths over 50m, the Blue Hole is just a short taxi ride away. And all with no thermoclines.

5. Social – Lots of Freedivers!:
Dahab has to be one of, if not the only, place in the world where freedivers are not greatly outnumbered by scuba divers, and to talk to someone about freediving does not have to involve a long explanation about the sport (“No...... not cliff jumping”).

Picture
Dahabs Blue Hole
6. Chilled Out & Friendly Vibe:
Unlike the more touristy parts of Egypt or North Africa, Dahab has a slower and more relaxed vibe. There is less hassle and a much more relaxed atmosphere than many other parts of Egypt, such as Sherm el Sheikh.

7. ‘Finding Nemo’:
Naturally, as the water is more tropical, so the marine life is more colourful and there are lots of colourful corals and fish to see. A favourite at recreational freediving depths are the numerous Anemone Fish (Nemo fish). If you are really luck the turtles in Dahab bay will come over to say hello.

8. Multi-Sports:
Dahab has to be one of the few places in the world that is good for both freediving and kite surfing. With a prevailing wind from the North, the main dive sites remain sheltered while giving enough wind to make superb windsurfing and kite surfing conditions. Not to mention scuba diving, rock climbing, trekking.......

9. Bedouin Camp Hospitality:
The Bedouins, the nomadic people of this region of the world, are extremely friendly and always offer wonderful hospitality. There is nothing better for an evening than sitting under the stars next to a camp fire with a cup of sweet Bedouin tea in your hand.
​

10. One Breath Freediving:
In winter One Breath Freediving will be providing high quality and customised freediving training and courses from Dahab. Expect the same high standard just in a different location! So if you have seen Malta and want to experience somewhere different, this is definitely the place to go next. 
​

Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Freediving Comino Wreck: P-31

18/6/2019

0 Comments

 
By David Watson, AIDA & PADI Master Freediver Instructor and Owner & Founder at One Breath Freediving, based in Malta
Freediving in the Maltese Islands has lots of wonderful features that make it spectacular; the stunning underwater visibility of up to 40m, the cliffs and caves that are prevalent across the islands, the deep blue colour of the water that is unique to the Mediterranean Sea. But one thing that really draws freedivers to Malta is the chance to dive on ship wrecks. Malta has a LOT of wrecks, some sunk by nature (storms), by humans (wars), or on purpose to create artificial reefs. The P-31 wreck falls into the latter category.
P-31 History & Key Information:
  • ​A former East German Kondor class mine sweeper built in 1960’s
  • Purchased by Malta in 1992 (along with P-29 & P-30)
  • Decommissioned in 2004
  • Sank 24th August 2009
  • 52m long, 7m wide, weighing 360 tons
Picture
Since being purchased by the Maltese Tourism Authority and sank as an artificial reef attraction for divers, the P-31 now sits upright on the sandy seabed West of Comino( just South of Blue Lagoon and just West of Crystal Lagoon), approximately 200m from shore. The depth on the bottom here is 20m and the top of the wreck is at just 10m deep. In fact the P-31 sits so shallow that it was necessary to cut off the mast of the ship before sinking her so as not to obstruct boat traffic. The wreck can often be seen clearly from the surface when you arrive by boat and I have even seen it occasionally from out of the airplane window when arriving or leaving Malta on certain days! In the summer months you will see a yellow ‘X’ marker buoy above to indicate the wrecks position.
​
Since her sinking, the P-31 has had to weather some rough storms as the prevailing winds on the islands are from a NW direction and sitting this shallow in the water means that waves and swell have had an impact, but considering that she has been underwater for 10 years already the wreck is still in very good condition. Before sinking she was thoroughly cleaned and made safe for divers. This means doors and hatches were removed and obstructions such fixtures, wires and cables were cleared out. There are a number of levels to explore and for a freediver it is normally clear and obvious which direction it is possible and safe to go in.
Picture
​Specific Tips for Freediving The P-31 wreck:

  • Be careful of scuba divers! Sometimes there can be large groups of beginners on the wreck and they can block or obstruct exit points. Also, the wall of bubbles they release can hinder the view from a buddies perspective.
  • Check overhead and around you as sometimes there are still a few stray cables or pieces of metal jutting out or hanging loose. Mind not to cut your hands or catch your wetsuit on any sharp edges.
  • The large hatches (what would have been engine compartments) towards the centre and rear of the ship are open and linked together.
  • Surface close to your freediving buoy and display either the ‘diver down’ or ‘alpha’ flag (or both!), to signify that divers are in the water. Ideally, also have someone on the surface watching boat traffic that can warn or issue instructions.
Picture
5 Essential Tips for Wreck Freediving:
​
  1. Take a Freediving Course: Knowing how to breathe correctly, having efficient technique, and knowing your body and understanding safety and how to rescue correctly will all make you a better, safer and more confident freediver.
  2. Be a Good Buddy: Always freedive with a buddy, never freedive alone. This is the golden rule of freediving! And, watch your buddies dive attentively from the surface and then meet them at a depth of 10m as they return back to the surface.
  3. Do Your Research: Make a plan before you enter the water and discuss and adapt it during the session when necessary. Know what each other is doing and where you are going. Know the wreck: study photos, ask other divers. Is it safe? Look closely first from the outside and never go in anywhere where there is no clear and obvious exit
  4. Use Suitable Equipment: Use a freediving buoy and rope, that way you can relax and breathe safely before and after the dive, boat traffic can clearly see you, and you can get down to the wreck using Free Immersion and therefore save energy to explore the wreck with a longer bottom time. Also recommend is a torch to look into darker corners and a knife or line cutters in case or accidental entaglement.
  5. Have Fun! Freediving a wreck can be fascinating and exciting with so much to explore and discover. There really is something special about seeing close up some huge manmade structure out of its element and deep in the blue water.

Lastly, please remember, freediving, and especially wreck freediving, can be DANGEROUS. Always freedive with a buddy, never push your limits or enter enclosed spaces with no clear or obvious exit. Please take a freediving course for your own safety and that of your buddy.
Interested in wreck freediving? Then subscribe to One Breath Freediving and follow our ‘Wrecks of Malta’ video series! Speak to David about freediving courses and wreck exploration possibilities.
​

www.youtube.com/user/onebreathfreediving
www.onebreathfreediving.com
0 Comments

AIDA Monofin Course: Training Drill

16/4/2019

0 Comments

 
Monofin Training Drill:
Here Jose is using a kick board to help stabilise the upper body and a front snorkel to allow him to breath during the training exercise. This takes away the 'apnea' element away from this particular drill and allows him to focus on technique over breath hold while he adjusts to using the full sized monofin.

​How do you think he is doing?
0 Comments

Freefall Feeling.....

6/12/2018

2 Comments

 
The freefall can be one of the nicest aspects of depth freediving. The moment on the descent when you become 'negatively buoyant' and start to sink independently of effort. This of course has it's advantages, most prominently; saving energy (and therefore oxygen) and aiding relaxation (saving oxygen and facilitating ear equalisation).
So what is involved in a good freefall? Let's take a look:
  • Correct weight: This allolws you to stop kicking at the correct point of the dive to start the freefall. Too light and you wont freefall early enough. Too heavy and you will waste energy on the ascent.
  • Body position: Tucked in (elbows and knees), legs together, looking ahead (not down), and relaxed shoulders and neck.
  • Equalisation: Remember to equalise! Use the movement of the lanyard or your fingers on the line to help judge the speed you are falling. Equalise frequently and before pressure is felt.
  • Turn: With the correct hand position to turn, the momentum of the freefall can mean very little effort is needed to make a smooth turn at the bottom of the dive.
  • .....and not forgetting..... The Way up!: Using POSITIVE buoyancy to finish your dive by stopping kicking in the last 3-8m  before the surface.
2 Comments

Why Train?

24/3/2018

1 Comment

 
Imagine the scanario:
You successfully complete your first course in freediving, you loved the experience and can't wait for your next chance to dive down to 20m. Six months later, on your next holiday, you excitedly sign up for a freediving excursion to eplore the local reef, but it all seems harder this time, you are less relaxed, the breath hold is shorter, you forget how that whole equalisation thing works again....
Or
You are an Advanced Freediver, 'did the course got the card!'. You are more confident with your technique, happier holding your breath but you are turning at the same depth on every...single...dive and can't figure out how to get past this invisible obsticle that is holding you back......
Picture
The Solution:
Training and coaching sessions!
Taking training sessions or a one-to-one coaching session with an experienced instructor can give invaluable feedback on your dive preparation and technique, give you new solutions to problems, give you feedback on your dives and give you the tools to perform at your best. For more experienced freedivers, coaching could help you overcome a plateau in your performance or open up new depths with easier equalisation methods, for beginners it could help refine your technique and increase your comfort and time underwater.

Freediving is a SPORT (unlike some other underwater activities that shall remain nameless :)), with strong mental and physical components and a high emphasis on technique. So to improve and achieve personal gains you need to practice and train yourself. Repetition and consistencey  are vital to see improvments in performance, there is no way around that. Remember, if it was easy and came with no real effort it would not be half as satisfying to reach new depths or times!

"Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect." 
- Vince Lombardi

+++ Training and Coaching sessions are available year round for certified freedivers. David is an experienced AIDA & PADI freediving instructor with additional qualifications in Sport & Exercise Science and Personal Training. +++
1 Comment

The Beauty of the Blue Hole

8/3/2018

2 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
There can't be many places as alluring and iconic to freedivers as the Blue Hole in Dahab. With imposing, barren mountains just metres from deep blue water and a kaliedoscope of colours amongst the corals on the reef with every shape and colour of fish possible, it is a truely beautiful place and draws freedivers from accross the world.
A natural submarine sinkhole, the depth within the hole is 100m and just outside, on the reef's edge, the depth reaches over 1,000m. A sheltered location and lack of current just metres from shore means that this is a wonderful place to train for freediving.
​
One Breath Freediving will be conducting a Training camp in in Dahab Egypt in January and February 2019. Enquire for further information.
2 Comments

AIDA Monofin Course

6/11/2017

3 Comments

 
Picture
Courses running regularly, enquire to reserve your place and set free your inner dolphin!
3 Comments

Video: Cirkewwa Fun Dive

8/9/2017

2 Comments

 
2 Comments
<<Previous

    Author

    Find out what the One Breath Freediving team is up to with the latest posts on this blog page.

    Archives

    June 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    November 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    December 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    November 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014

    Categories

    All
    AIDA
    Apnea
    Blue
    Blue Hole
    Breath Hold
    Bubbles
    Buoy
    Camera
    Coaching
    Cold
    Competition
    Constant Weight
    Coral
    Dahab
    Dancer
    Dancing Underwater
    Decompression
    Decompression Sickness
    Dive
    Diving
    Dry Dive
    Dynamic
    Egypt
    Equipment
    Fish
    Freedive
    Freediver
    Freediving
    Freediving Competition
    Freediving Photography
    Freediving & Sailing
    Free Immersion
    Guide
    Hyperbaric Chamber
    Malta
    Malta Diving
    Malta Freediving
    Mammalian Riving Response
    Mediterranean
    Mermaid
    Monofin
    Ocean
    One Breath
    One Breath Freediving
    PADI
    PADI Freediver
    PADI Freediver Centre
    Paralenz
    Poem
    Pool
    Product Test
    Relaxation
    Sailing
    Scuba Decompression
    Sea
    Sickness
    Test
    Training
    Underwater
    Underwater Dancer
    Underwater Photography
    Underwater Tango
    Variable Weight
    Wetsuit
    World Record
    Wreck
    Y-40 Pool

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly