Can I freedive while weighing 250 pounds ? (114 KG)

[Saloooh91]

Hey everyone. So I'm planning on taking freediving lessons here where I live which costs around 150 KWD (500 USD) a 3 day long course. The first day is 4 hour class learning about safety, gear etc...
The second day is a 4 hour swimming pool day. Learning about static and other general stuff.
The third day is in the sea. IDK how many hours but the instructors told me that they'll try to let us go deep to 66 feet/20 meters.

My questions are:-

1- Is the course worth it 500 USD ? I live in a country where only these people give freediving lessons.
2- Is the course like any other course in the U.S./Canada/Abroad or is it different ? I mean the hours and classes.
3- Do you guys recommend me do the course while weighing 250 pounds ? I'm worried if I pay them and can't go deep down or do the course properly for having extra weight. Do you guys recommend I loose a couple of pounds then do a different course later on ?

 

[J Campbell]

Not every beginner gets to 20 meters during the course. Before taking the course I would suggest:
1. browse the "Beginner" and "Freediving and Training Techniques" forums and find out the proper way to relax, breathe up, and prolong breath hold. Practice breath holds on your sofa or bed until you become comfortable doing them - trying to extend the amount of time you can hold. Being relaxed and comfortable while you push into a long breath hold will help alot when you finally get in the water.

2. Find a deep pool and practice clearing your ears at depth. When I took the course a couple of guys could not reach depth because they could not clear their ears properly. You MUST be able to equalize the pressure in your ears to freedive - or else you risk permanent hearing loss. Ear clearing is easy for some - more difficult for others.

As far as the weight - other health problems go along with obesity. Maybe check with your doctor to be sure your heart is strong and you don't have too high or too low blood pressure. I myself weigh 215 (6' tall) and I have no problems with freediving - although I suppose I could do better if I lost a few pounds.

 

[go-hard]

Weight itself is not an issue but fitness, health and comfort in the water might be. I am just a shade under 235 lbs and 6'1" tall and have no problems but I am also active and healthy. My ideal weight would be 220 or so.

The course sounds reasonable from what you have outlined although as Mark says, not everyone will get to 20m first up.

There are a few organisations that have structured courses such as AIDA. Maybe compare the course structure to theirs?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[jonathangill]

Weight itself is not an issue but fitness, health and comfort in the water might be. I am just a shade under 235 lbs and 6'1" tall and have no problems but I am also active and healthy. My ideal weight would be 220 or so.

The course sounds reasonable from what you have outlined although as Mark says, not everyone will get to 20m first up.

There are a few organisations that have structured courses such as AIDA. Maybe compare the course structure to theirs?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hey everyone. So I'm planning on taking freediving lessons here where I live which costs around 150 KWD (500 USD) a 3 day long course. The first day is 4 hour class learning about safety, gear etc...
The second day is a 4 hour swimming pool day. Learning about static and other general stuff.
The third day is in the sea. IDK how many hours but the instructors told me that they'll try to let us go deep to 66 feet/20 meters.

My questions are:-

1- Is the course worth it 500 USD ? I live in a country where only these people give freediving lessons.
2- Is the course like any other course in the U.S./Canada/Abroad or is it different ? I mean the hours and classes.
3- Do you guys recommend me do the course while weighing 250 pounds ? I'm worried if I pay them and can't go deep down or do the course properly for having extra weight. Do you guys recommend I loose a couple of pounds then do a different course later on ?

 

[V.Kh.]

Hello, I am a 130kg! I like freediving. After going to the swimming pool for a year and a half I have got 4'40" STA, 85 DNF, 38 CWT. I use 4 kg weight in the pool to get neutral buoyancy. It is a best kind of sport for fat people. Relax, swim slowly, get pleasure!