Finding other freedivers

[Lazuli]

Hi

I am new to freediving and although I snorkel alone I can understand the othodoxy on this forum and elsewhere regarding the dangers of freediving alone.

The trouble is I anticipate that I am going to have a real uphill struggle finding other people who are into this sport around my area (East Devon, southwest UK)- especially divers who are willing to take an untrained novice along. It seems there are only spearos around my area and this is a scene I am not really into.

It is my dream to commit to improving my freediving, so I aim to take a UK AIDA course some time but dont want to invest the money if Im only going to be able train dry static the rest of the time.

I have a real flame in my heart for this sport but its hard when there seem to be so few other apneists locally.

How can I keep up my morale?

[cdavis]

Hi Lazuli, Welcome to DB.

I know zip about Devon, but this is for sure true. If you hang around DB for very long, some other diver(s) in your area and with your interests will pop up. No telling when, but it will happen.

You might be surprised at some of the spearos. Good chance, some of them would welcome you along. Aside from sticking fish, they know a lot of stuff that you would benefit from and going with them would afford a near perfect situation to train in.

Connor

[Gwaihir]

you might meet som at the course ?

[welshmikey]

Best bet really is to start with snorkeling, plenty of people liek to start snorkelig nand it is usually easy to persuade them to practice breathhold diving.

I have met free dive buddies one here, in the sea while snorkeling and at unviersity, i too though nobody else in my city would be into it, addmitatly nobody is into extreme free diving but certaily a beginner level (less than 3 minute breath holds) and although you may nto go to great depths with these partners you can always stay down longer than them and have somone watchign fro mthe surface if its clear enough or partners of lower ability to yourself who take it in turns in diving down to you.

[boydarling]

I too am new to freediving and looking for a regular buddy.
I holiday in south/east devon at least 2x a year (Stoke Gabriel) with the in-laws. I'm based in brighton but could meet up for a swim next time I'm down your way?

[Lazuli]

Thanks guys. Yeah PM me if you are down this way.

[Erik]

How far is the Saltfree Club from you? Here in Canada we have different ideas about travelling distances, ie: the UK fits in Alberta almost 5 times.... I travel at least 90 minutes by car to get in the water- last weekend was a 5 hour drive.
Saltfree is a great club run by a lovely person and filled with some fantastic divers.
I do understand the feeling though and empathize... I did a lot of statics when I was competitive, with no deeper water than 30 metres available and no dive buddies. Good luck in your training!

[samdive]

Sorry Lazuli - I hadn't seen this post before.

SaltFree isn't far from you. I commute from Cornwall which is just over 3 hours - but it's only about 1 1/4 hours from Exeter. Hardest Dave comes up from Plymouth - so you could probably even get a lift. Plus we've just found a campsite that's only £2.50 to stay at (and really nice) so the overnight bit doesn't have to cost much.

We dive every couple of weeks at the moment and would love to see you there. Next course with some spaces is early August - give me a shout if you're interested

Sam

[Lazuli]

This forum is awesome. Seems like I was in the right place all along!