February 2012
38 posts
“The scuba diver dives to look around. The freediver dives to look inside.”
–
Umberto Pelizarri
Spearfishing while Freediving
Spearfishing is a type of fishing that is done by hand. It is exactly what the name describes it as. The fisher uses a spear to fish.
Historically, spearfishing was a technique used to catch fish for private and public use. Before the invention of fishing rods or boats, fishers had to capture fish using other methods. Many fishers did this by diving into the water and stabbing the fish with a...
Are You Canadian? Are You Interesting in... →
Check out the Canadian Association of Freediving & Apnea! CAFA outlines a calender of events for divers that includes both recreational and competitive diving. CAFA also has clubs and various memberships for divers to take part in. Dive into their website. Enjoy!
The Cove: Movie →
The Cove is a movie that follows activists through the struggles they face to protect wildlife from humanity. The Cove highlights the Japanese dolphin hunting culture, emphasizing the unnecessary mass dolphin kills that occur each year.
The citizens of Japan often feast on dolphin meat without realizing the high mercury content it contains. The government keeps it’s citizens blind of this...
Become a Freedive-Instructor! →
Enjoy freediving? Want to teach others about the sport and introduce them to the world within the depths of the Earth’s water bodies? Become a freediving instructor and help others discover the beauty of freediving.
Up Close and Personal: Sarah Campbell →
Sarah Campbell answers the questions we all ponder! Are you curious if a professional freediver has ever had any bad experiences or setbacks? Would you like to know how much work, training and practice it took to achieve three world records? Read about her experiences freediving and have all your questions answered!
Where Can I Freedive?
Some may wonder: where in the world offers the best locations to freedive? Listed are a few locations around the world that are optimal freediving locations!
- Baja, Mexico
- Eilat, Isreal
- La Paz, Mexico
- Hawaii
* There are many more locations around the world that are prime freediving locations!
Want to Know More? →
To learn more about the history of freediving, check out this site!
History of Freediving
Have you ever wondered when freediving began? Who decided to dive freely into the depth of the ocean? And why?
Here we will try and discover some of the truths and unpack the history of freediving!
Times before 1930:
- Goggles… What are those?
1800’s = Japanese Ama divers REALLY wanted to know what was going on in the depths of the water… so, they dove in… for two...
Can Freediving help Increase IQ?
What do you think?
Freediving: An Activity that Increases IQ? →
Dr. Win Wenger claims that cardiovascular activities, such as holding ones breath, can increase intellectual capacity. Wenger explains that there is a relationship between increased lung capacity and one’s ability to be attentive, aware and focused.
Wenger suggests spending 1 hour each day for 3 weeks under water holding your breath. According to Wenger, as you hold your breath under water,...
The Loss Of Mestre →
Audrey Mestre blacked out while attempting to break a freediving record set by Pipin Ferreras, who was also her husband.
Famous Freedivers
Freediving is a sport that requires a lot of training and practice. It is important to feel comfortable in the water and while diving.
Some successful and well known divers hold various records for diving and exploring the depths of the waters! Here is a short list of well known freedivers:
- Audrey Mestre (1974-2002)
- Tanya Streeter (1973- )
- Francisco “Pipin” Ferreras...
Freediving Records →
Freediving records by category.
Acceptance and Progress of Freediving →
The world of sport has been slow to accept freediving into it’s range of activities. However, freediving as a sport is making progress and becoming more accepted in the world of sport!
Check out this article and find out how the world of freediving is progressing and becoming more accepted by many.
A Day in the Life of a Freediver →
Check out record holder, Herbert Nitsch’s, freediving experience! From training to competing; his blog is interesting for all.
Apnea Diving?!
Freediving is also known as apnea diving.
There are 2 world associations that govern the activity of freediving. There is AIDA International (International Association for Development of Apnea). There is also CMAS (World Underwater Federation).
“To freedive is to return in some small way to a unity between ourselves and...”
–
Emma Farrell
Safety of Freediving
Freediving is not recognized as a “safe” activity. However, if the diver is properly trained, both mentally and physically, the activity can be as safe and successful as a helicopter ride.
It is important that the diver is both mentally and physically prepared. The mental aspect plays an important role in the success of the activity because since meditation is a large aspect of the...
Learning to Freedive
The first step in learning to freedive is to find an instructor you feel comfortable with. It is important to feel comfortable with your instructor because freediving is an activity that may initiate uneasiness in the beginning stages. As the learner becomes more familiar with the activity, he/she will become more comfortable and ease in to the activity. However, if you do not feel comfortable...
Freediving Experiences Free-For-All!
Please share your freediving experiences!!
“Freediving is about silence… the silence that comes from within…”
–
Jacques Mayol
Zen of Freediving →
Freediving requires training of the body, mind, and soul.
"Zen"?
Freedivers claim that freediving promotes a feeling of intense relaxation, confidence, serenity and peace. Many wonder, but how? Freedivers alike explain that the sensation of being emerged in water provides the body with a stress relieving technique. Many of us can relate, when we wash our face, or shower, we find ourselves feeling relaxed. Imagine this sensation x23981239723!!
Some may wonder...
Fascinating Freediving →
Try to imagine what this diver is feeling, thinking, and experiencing.
What Should I Wear?
Typical gear for a freediver: A snorkel, mask, and fins are the essentials for freediving. ** It is a lot similar to gear used in your family swimming pool, isn’t it?
Some freedivers use a weight belt to increase their descending speed.
Many freedivers wear wet suits while diving because the temperature of the water...
What is Freediving?
Freediving is exactly what it says it is! It is a diving activity that is done free of oxygen tanks and other typical “scuba” equipment that is used while scuba diving. When freediving, divers use only a snorkel, a mask, a pair of flippers, and a wet suit.
So, what makes freediving more thrilling than scuba diving? Well, it is the fact that the diver is not equipped with an oxygen...
FREEDIVING
Many people find freediving a thrilling adventure and challenge.
