How to start Freediving

[Waterysmile]

I think that increasing breathehold to 1:45 is a good start and if you get to the end of the table easily then do the 15 secs rest time. Sounds like you're progressing well.

[ADELENELYNCH]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for the note. I'll give it a try tomorrow. It's a real pain in the ass having only once a day to do the tables. I'm a bit impatient and would love to do the couple of times a day if I can. Wonder why people say it's best to do only one table a day. But I'm sure there's some logic to it I dont know of yet.

[Waterysmile]

Yes, when you are very enthusiastic it is difficult to be patient! I think the reason you have to do only 1 table a day is to avoid overtraining your body.

[Bill]

Adelenelynch
You are getting some good advice and let me add my 2 cents worth.

"the reason you have to do only 1 table a day is to avoid overtraining your body." Andrew

not the only reason. I have had the pleasure/honor of working with, talking to, observing and being instructed by many athletes from beginner to world champion in several sports. The quantity of the training is less important than the consistency, at least for the first few years. It is discouraging to watch a talented athlete improve by leaps and bounds only to quit, for one of many reasons, before he reaches full potential. training has a lot to do with the head, especially in freediving. Try to find a schedule that you can maintain for a long time, including peaks, valleys and time off.
Having said that, there is nothing magical about the tables, optimal maybe but not magical. If you did a table and #8 was easy, my question is "what did you do for #9". In my case, extending the hold on #8 works and tells a lot about what you can do that day or what table you will use next time. Warning: not all surprises will be pleasant.
Aloha
Bill

[DiverTodd]

If you're consistently able to do 1:30 holds in a CO2 table without contractions, then you probably would be better to bump up to 1:45. Otherwise, you're just staying in your comfort zone. I do 2 min holds with my CO2 tables, but I'm not ready to ramp up just yet. Last week, I had a hold during one with NO contractions, but doing today's, I was having contractions like crazy. So, I'm not ready to ramp up just yet. Incidentally, my current PB hold is 3:30, right where yours is.

Todd

[Biotronix]

it pisses me off to hear you speaking about koh tao... I was there the summer, a month ago, but at this time I did not discovered apnea !! I feel like I missed such a big thing.. I was there sitting on the beach while right next to me, people were bubbling around at 30m above the surface !!!
i'll be back...

[ADELENELYNCH]

Makes great sense Bill. Thanks. I have been impatient w some sports and paid the price for it. Don't want the same to happen w freediving hence I'm eager to proper instruction and take it sloooooow..... SO HARD!!!!

I read in another thread about starting age for freedivers and someone said, "the older the better, coz then you lose the competitiveness" I think that's true to some extent. But for some, competitiveness is second nature, and more often than not, the competition is themselves. For me, freediving is 50% pushing my limits and 50% about the spiritual high of connecting w natural marine world. The moment that fraction tips higher for me, I know i'm pushing myself harder than i probably should.

I didnt know you could do a #9. Makes sense. Got another question : when do most of you do your practice tables? I suppose the time of the day would make a lot of diff to how easy it is. I find it easiest first thing in the morning. Does that mean if I get to do it then, I should up my table to optimize my training? Eg. first thing in morning, 02 table to max 2:45 would be easy but not after i get back from work.

[ADELENELYNCH]

Biotronix, make another trip to Koh Tao then.

Any idea if it's monsoon there yet? Not sure if the guys have packed up for the monsoon season coz I'm not getting any email replies.

[shareunlimited]

Thankyou Very Much FOr Your Information. Really A great forum

[Akoni]

oo, lots of replies in my absence, glad other people have given good advice

[ADELENELYNCH]

I read a few discussions about "packing". What is "packing" pls?

Off to try to my second freedive in the open sea this weekend. Last time, I was limited not so much by air but by equalization. Will have to learn my Frenzel soon otherwise I waste too much time and air doing Valsava.

Saw a whale shark last year this time at the same place, and had a chance to swim w it. The same guy appears everyyear at this time. Keeping my fingers crossed I'll see him again this weekend. :P

[ADELENELYNCH]

Thanks Akoni! This thread is great and yeah, I got a lot of good advice. Been seeing some progress cheers to all that.

[ADELENELYNCH]

I did some diving in Malaysia over the weekend. Just did some simple dives to 15m since I havent had any formal training. But found that it was indeed a lot easier w a bit of weight. I wore a 1kg weight which made it a lot easier to go down. Although conversely, coming up required a bit more kicking. The currents picked up and I had to stop. I find I have to equalize very slowly and frequently on descent which wasted quite a bit of air, but I havent learnt to do the Frenzel yet.

[MonofinBoy]

I am looking for a good and inexpisve freediving wetsuit for freshwater lakes around 65 to 80 dregees

[fcallagy]

monofinboy try a search under the equipment section in forums there have been loads of threads on suits and all equipment. Elios are right up there for custom suits and i find the cressi 5mm comp good in 12o C water but it will depend whether you are freediving on a line with sfaety or recreational enetreing/ exiting from rocks etc or spearfishing etc might depend on you size but custom made is usally better for a few euro/dollars more