Freediving isn’t just about exploring the ocean—it’s about discovering what you’re truly capable of. It trains your mind to stay calm, focused, and present, while expanding your physical limits. The feeling of gliding through the water, deeply connected to your breath and the ocean around you, is incredibly empowering. Whether you seek the thrill of adventure, the peace of the underwater world, or a new way to challenge yourself, freediving offers an unforgettable journey of self-discovery and a deeper bond with nature.

DEEP ROOTS

Freediving boasts a rich history that stretches back to ancient times, when early divers used simple techniques to harvest underwater resources. From the pearl divers of the Persian Gulf to the sponge divers of the Mediterranean, freediving has long been a crucial part of human survival and exploration. These early pioneers perfected their breath-holding techniques out of necessity, laying the groundwork for what would evolve into the sport we cherish today.

FREEDIVING TODAY

Over the centuries, freediving has transformed from a practical skill into an art form and a competitive sport, driven by both scientific curiosity and a desire for adventure.

However, the myth that freediving is an activity for adrenaline-junkies couldn’t be further from the truth. While competitive freediving has helped to shape our knowledge of what is possible for the human body can endure, scientists have also come to understand that freediving is much more than it appears on the surface.

BORN TO DIVE

Have you ever splashed cold water on your face to calm yourself down? Or maybe you’ve been swimming and felt yourself truly awaken to the present moment ? Congratulations - you’ve experienced the mammalian dive reflex! This is a big term for a remarkable natural response. When you submerge your face in cold water, your heart rate automatically begins to slow, and your body begins subconsciously preparing to hold the breath as efficiently as possible.

Why? Well, we humans, like all mammals, descended from sea creatures. So just like whales and dolphins, human beings have an evolutionary built-in mechanism to help us explore the under water world. And a high-heart rate, let alone adrenaline, is exactly the opposite of what we want to experience! Holding the breath means we have limited oxygen, so the more we can relax (both the muscles and the mind!) the longer, deeper and more enjoyable our dive will be.

Unlocking this state of deep relaxation is the main skill we will teach you (yes, it’s something everyone can practice and perfect!).

COMPETITIVE FREEDIVING

In the past decades, freediving has grown into a dynamic and exhilarating sport with several competitive disciplines that push the boundaries of human potential.

Freediving competitions are based either in the ocean or in the pool. In the pool, there are two broad categories. Static Apnea - where athletes hold their breath for as long as possible while floating motionless on the surface; and Dynamic Apnea - where divers swim laps of the pool underwater on a single breath. In Dynamic, athletes compete in bifins (flutter kicking with long fins), with a monofin (dolphin kicking) or no-fins (swimming without fins in a similar style to breast-stroke).

In the ocean, divers descend and ascend vertically along a rope. The objective is to reach the bottom of the rope (the ‘bottom plate’) and collect a tag to bring back to the surface.

There are 4 disciplines, each requiring a unique set of skills and technique, blending physical endurance with mental discipline:

• Free Immersion (FI) involves the diver pulling their way down the rope. This is quite a relaxing way to dive, and it’s the first technique divers learn on their Level 1 course.

• Bifins (CWTB), using two long fins for flutter kick.

• No-Fins (CNF) - breast stroke style. The most physically demanding discipline, requiring great strength and technique.

• Monofin (also called Constant Weight or CWT) where the diver dolphin kicks using a single large fin. The monofin is the most efficient way to dive, so this discipline is generally the deepest. The current world record is 136m, held by Alexey Molchanov.

FREEDIVING EQUIPMENT

What makes freediving so unique is its focus on simplicity and freedom. Unlike traditional scuba diving, there’s no heavy gear or tanks to weigh you down—just you and the ocean. Your equipment will depend on what specifically you are doing, i.e pool freediving vs spearfishing, but typically all freedivers will use:

• Mask (low-volume freediving masks are ideal)

• Snorkle (the more simple the better)

• Wetsuit (since we are aiming to keep our heart rate low it’s easy to get chilly)

• Weight belt & weights to maintain proper buoyancy (your instructor will show you how to find the correct weight)

• Dive watch for monitoring depth and surface intervals

  We provide all equipment free of charge on all of our courses, and we have a shop with a selection of masks, snorkels, nose clips and dive computers for sale.