WHAT IS FREEDIVING?
Freediving is an in-water breath-holding sport, accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. While what some people achieve sounds extreme, their bodies have adapted over a long period of time as a natural progression. All mammals experience a survival reaction called the mammalian dive response which enables divers to hold their breath for unimaginable periods of time. Most beginners achieve breath holds of between 2 and 4 minutes on the intro course.
Freediving is an incredible sport that requires a fine balance of mental strength and physical ability. It creates a heightened awareness of self. Freedivers are generally very healthy due to this and the related desire to feel good.
Learning to freedive opens up the underwater world to you for spearfishing, hunting & gathering, photography, and general scenic discovery. It is the best way to view coral reefs on your tropical island holidays and is excellent for low impact general fitness. It can assist endurance athletes to reduce their oxygen consumption in a similar way to altitude training.
As a competitive sport, freedivers test the limits of their abilities in events based on time and distance in the pool and depth in open water. The world’s best are diving to depths greater than 120m and have static breath holds up to 11 minutes. Competitive freediving is as much a psychological game as it is physical. It is demanding and relaxing, frightening and peaceful, physical and meditative and Kiwis are generally pretty good at it!
Freediving can be dangerous. Always ensure adequate training and safety. We recommend participating in a formal course and then join your local club so you can test your limits, learn of the dangers, how to stay safe and how to assist your buddy if required and allow your body to adapt slowly over time. Never dive alone and ensure that your buddy is trained to assist you should you need help.