In this blog post I wanted to discuss some of the marine life of Malta & Gozo. The Mediterranean Sea can have a reputation for lacking marine life, and while not completely wrong, as a positive, it can  encourage building an even greater appreciation of the smaller life and other details that can otherwise get overlooked in a crowded, tropical sea. Malta & Gozo are especially known for superb sea water visibility, with 30m of clear water common, as well as some really fascinating smaller marine life that can be very fun to observe while freediving.

Freediving is an under appreciated way to view underwater marine life. On scuba, of course you can stay longer, but you are also noisy and invasive with all the bubbles, equipment and disturbance that causes. Freediving allows you to get close without disturbing the marine life and gives a totally different interactive experience.

I am writing a little bit about my own observations with 5 of my favourite marine life, all of which can be found by freedivers and snorkellers around the Maltese Islands. Click the highlighted links for more detailed descriptions and video footage.

1) Ornate Wrasse (INFO):
One of my favourite fish, and one which surprise most people as their bright colourings make them appear almost as a tropical species. They are teritorial and will circle and get agitated if you (or nearly anything else alive in the water!) gets too close to them or their nest. Often overlooked because of their small size, they make up for it with vibrant colour and fun interaction. 

2) Fried Egg Jellyfish (INFO):
One of the most beautiful jellyfish, as well as 'friendly' (they do not sting), they appear in later summer and early autumn sometimes in large congregations, floating past like an alien space ship (see photo below). And this spaceship often has a passenger... They have a symbiotic relationship with juvenile Amberjack who use the jellyfish for shelter and protection and who keep them clean in return. 
Fried Egg Jellyfish VIDEO

3) Common Octopus (INFO):
One thing fairly numerous in Maltese waters are the common octopus. These can be super curious and I have observed them using pieces of glass as a shield to cover the entrance to their den and even with coins as they like to collect shiny things. See the video of a curious octopus grabbing my camera, below. 
Common Octopus VIDEO

4) Grouper (INFO):
This fish can live up to 50 years and reach up to1.5m in length! Though as with octopus, that maturity is rare now around Malta. They are also very inquisitive and often watch you as you dive and if they back away, they still turn around to observe from the shelter and safety of a cave or other shelter. 
​Grouper VIDEO

5) Scorpionfish (INFO):
There are 3 species around Malta with the bigger version sometimes displaying a vivid red colour (which looks more brown underwater). They have a venomous spine so you must respect them, and they are often sitting still waiting for prey (normally small fish), to pass by. They don't get it all their own way though. I once observed a scorpionfish being hunted and eaten by a cuttlefish!

Click HERE for more detailed information about the species listed above, and many of the other marine life of the Maltaese Islands:

Those of you following One Breath Freediving on your social media channels will already know that I have been using the Paralenz dive camera quite extensively already, for both photos and videos, so for this review part 2 (part 1 is un-boxing and initial impressions),I wanted to look at it's use in the water. More than numbers such as pixels and frame rates, I wanted to discuss it's functionality and how well it works specifically from a freediver's point of view. 

Firstly, it's primary mount method that I have employed so far with the Paralenz dive camera has been the mask mount. For me this has been the most convenient as I am normallly using it while teaching or guiding. Once the mask attachment is threaded to the mask strap, you clip the camera on using the 'T-Rail' mount system that gives a reassuring double 'click' when properly secured.

The first thing you notice while wearing it in the water is.....that you don't actually notice the camera! Despite feeling substantial and solid when held in the hand, once attached to the mask I can honestly say that I forget that the camera is actually there. Being so non-intrusive is a huge plus for freedivers as we take in the water minimum equipment and definitely don't like things that create drag or resistance.

Functionality from this position is another massive plus. The feedback loop of vibrations of the camera unit, mean that you do not need to remove the camera (and mask) at all to know what setting you are in! For example, rotate the selector ring clockwise while turned on gives one vibration for video, two vibrations for camera, three for settings etc. And then long or short holds of the activation switch can start or stop recording or offer other functions. This creates a simple user and selector operating system and excellent hands free usability.

Now lets look at the quality of photos that Paralenz is capable of (for videos, check the OBF YouTube channel). All the snaps in this review were taken from the mask mount position, so just a reach to the side of the head and a short pull on the activation switch can give you some great photos. While primarily a video camera, the photos are surprisingly clear, sharp and lacking in distortion at the edges (as can be common for extremely wide angle cameras). In these photos I had Depth Colour Correction (DCC) turned on and Depth & Temperature overlay turned on. The photo above from 5m displays nice blue water and clear white logos on the wetsuit hood. The first photo handles the reflecting light from the shallow water very well and also created a shot that is not blurred or distorted from the divers movement.

Initial in water conclusions:

• Mask mount is very useful for hands free use
  
• Unit vibration feedback is a great idea and super useful with mask mount 
• Photos lack distortion and are very sharp
• DCC is perfect for multiple depth change diving (such as freediving)

Look out for part three of the test where I will review the features of the Paralenz App.

One Breath Freediving is now renting a full freediving set up (buoy/rope/bottom weights) as well as weights and weight belts, to certified freedivers (AIDA3 certified or above).
So if you are visiting Malta and want to do your own training and exploring, we can now accommodate your needs. Contact us for more information, or find the price list, here.

TripAdvisor has awarded One Breath Freediving a 2018 Certificate of Excellence! Thanks to all the freedivers that learnt and trained with us and especially a big thank you for all the wonderful reviews, it is greatly appreciated. 

We have some great news: One Breath Freediving is pleased to announce that it is now an official PADI Freediver Centre!
We now offer PADI freediver courses from 'PADI Basic Freediver', a one day introduction to freediving, right up to the advanced 'PADI Master Freediver' course.
This nicely compliments the AIDA freediving courses we already offer and makes One Breath Freediving the top destination for freediving, and the only place to learn PADI or AIDA freediving course from beginner to advanced, in Malta & Gozo
​
​David Watson (PADI Master Freediver Instructor #650697)
One Breath Freediving (PADI Freediver Centre #s26038)

Day 1
There was a total of 3 of us doing the course, so after we did our introductions we started on some classroom work.  We also practiced the correct technique for ear equalizing and did some timed breath holds.  Around midday we went to Malta's national pool to do the required 40m underwater swim.  This is called Dynamic Apnea and the main points of this involved correct weight and buoyency, pushing off from the side of the pool and doing the first arm stroke, turning at the other end of the pool and getting to 40m.  All these parts were covered in detail and we practiced our techniques until we were ready for the 40m.  Rescue diver procedures were also taught and practiced during this pool session.
After the pool we went back to the classroom for the final theory for day 1 and briefly went over what the plan is for the second day.

Day 2
After a brief classroom session we entered the very calm water of Cirkewwa and setup the buoys in 20m deep water.  First we practiced Free Immersion where you pull yourself down the rope.  There were a few things to get right, such as relaxation, initial accent technique, then equalising and pulling yourself down the line.
After this session we went onto constant weight where we used fins and the correct technique to efficient finning. The AIDA2 course requires a dive of 16m-20m.
The day was very calm and relaxed and this was clearly a major part of freediving. Not pressure or stress to get things done, take your time.

Day 3
We met at the dive centre and had a quick briefing for the day's events.  First off was the static apnea discipline at a sheltered area near Bugibba. To pass the course a 2 minute breath hold was required.  I managed 3 minutes and felt like I could manage a few more seconds, but I was more than happy with myself achieving this time.  We also had a go at being the coach.  This involved steadying the person, timing, communication and watching for signals.
Next up was a trip to Cirkewwa again for the final open water dives before the exam. We did the constant weight again, like on day 2, but a little deeper and also practiced using a lanyard to keep you secured to the line as well as being a rescue diver who meets the other diver half way.  With all the open water requirements completed we all headed to the classroom for the written exam.

My Final Points From a SCUBA Diving Background.
Very interesting learning about ears, equalising, lungs in lots more detail.
Knowledge of what's involved in freediving will allow me to be more aware of freedivers when I'm scuba diving.
Being relaxed is very important.
Finding a competent buddy you can trust.  This must work both ways.
Learning what your body and mind is really capable of.

Overall the course was very enjoyable.  David, the instructor was very informative and knowledgable. Detailed instructions and techniques were demonstrated and personal feedback was given throughout the day.
The 3 full days were good fun, calm, knowledgable and were the ideal environment for pushing your mental boundaries to an area it's difficult to imagine before the course.


AIDA2 requirements:
Static:  2 minutes.  I managed 3 minutes.  (Holding breath floating on surface)
Dynamic:  40m. I managed 40m on my second attempt.  (In swimming pool).
Constant Weight:  16m.  My maximum depth was 20m.
The exam was a mix of multiple choice as well as full answers and was straight forward if you followed the manual and classroom ok.
here to edit.

I started scuba diving in September 2011 and have done 400 dives. I've completed the PADI divemaster qualification as well as the SDI Solo diver, PADI tec 40 and I'm currently studying for Tec 45. 

I like to learn from every dive and always look at ways to improve. I'm currently working on kit configuration and practising technical diving  procedures and methods.  I've thought about doing a freediving course for the last 2 years, although I've not taken it any further than that.... until now. In about six weeks I'll be doing my AIDA2 with One Breath Freediving in Malta.

A couple of days ago I went to my local 6m deep pool where I was able to prepare for the course.  I just wanted to practice The Frenzel Maneuver for equalising.  This is how I equalise when scuba diving, but when scuba diving the decent rate is a lot slower and I'm horizontal, not head first.
After 15 minutes in the pool the equalising was going well and towards of the session I could manage 30-40 seconds under water.  This was without knowing any relaxation, breathing techniques or how to efficiently duck dive. At this point I hadn't read anything about freediving. I used a 5mm wetsuit, 3kg weights, scuba fins and mask.

Over the next few weeks I'm going to be studying the AIDA2 manual and spend some time practising breathing and relaxation. I'll update my experiences here in a couple of weeks while I progress through the freediving manual.

​- IAN