Cornwall 2008.

[gutshot]

managed 2.30min whilst teaching maths the other day

What did you do? Ask them the hardest question you could think of to get the longest time in peace to hold your breath?rofl

 

[Old Man Dave]

One of the Year 10's probably farted :ycard. I used to teach a class like that.

 

[googlyfloogly]

Was teaching a year 10 set 7. Showed them a few spearo photos which they found interesting, got talking, which lead to a breath holding competition (quietest 30 seconds I've ever known in a classroom.) Then it lead in to: If Fred can hold his breath for 30 seconds, and Johnny 1.30. what is the fraction, percentage, ratio etc.
Worked for a bit till they realised something fishy was up.

 

[UK Spearo]

something fishy? - there has to be a joke there somewhere

 

[tribs]

Just got out from Falmouth area. The viz is getting better. 5ish m. The only problem is i didn't sea a single bass! Loads of pollock and more sand eels than i could shake a speargun at but no bass. It is odd as it always comes up good for bass. The first time i have come out without a seeing any.

On a brighter note my diving has improved no end since reading my new freedive book and doing more relaxation. Most dives were about 2min with one just short of 3min. It does start to get cold laying in the kelp for that long without moving though.

Maybe Sunday will bring a few more fish my way. Off out on the kayaks with spearflap. Will keep you posted.

Hey Gutshot,

Can you name that book?

Cheers

Tribs

 

[gutshot]

Manual of Freediving, Underwater on a single breath, by Umberto Pelizzari and Stefano Tovaglieri.

I got it from Amazon

 

[Robbo66]

Gutshot - what book are you reading that has helped you with those awesome breath-holds? I am stuck at 1min30 2mins would be great!!
What relaxation are you doing?

I can do nice long statics in a pool (up to a PB of 4min30) but when I get into the Sea the times halve and I generally can't stay down longer than about 1min30 - any tips?

James, if your doing a mammoth 4.30 static, you should be creaming 2.30 breath holds at sea.

I have found that a good breath hold is anywhere between 1.30 - 2 mins. If you doing agachon then if no fish have arrived at around this period of time, move away to another area.

The depth at which you dive makes a huge difference. More finning, greater depth = less bottom time. Big currents also make a difference, as does craning your neck and gripping tightly to steady yourself in swell.

 

[James T]

Robbo you would think so wouldn't you. But my best ever agachon is 2 mins in the sea. I also find that the deeper I dive the longer I hold for - something to do with mamalian dive reflex - heart beat slows right down. Most of the diving I do around the coast is less that 12m though. I have rarely dived deeper - but am planning some deeper stuff for the fun of it.

Definately a concentration/meditation thing I agree with gutshot. Generally if I haven't seen fish after about 40-60 seconds in 6m of water I don't expect them to come in - my mind gets going along the lines of 'so whats next' and then it is game over I need to breath. I need to get in the same frame of mind as in the pool and shut everything out - I find that hard when I am hunting.

BTW the 4.30 was a PB done 2 years ago. More recently in the pool with Scottie3030 I could only manage 3.30 - getting worse...

 

[Robbo66]

James,

I'm relatively fit (running/rowing etc) and train for Apnea, and 4.30 is exceptional even at static.
I can touch 4 mins at a real push and 3.30 more regularly. Breathe in and exhale slowly (very slowly) with 2 mins break between dives for better times. My breaks are 30-40 seconds with 1.30 min holds at 6-10 mts without a problem. Any longer and you'll need more recovery time between.
Watch out for SWB also.

 

[James T]

I think I am normally in such a rush to get back down my breath-ups are not long enough and are not relaxed enough. I was in the pool with Sam Kirby (Samdive) from Saltfree, when I did the longer one, there was no pressure or excitment - just calm - she did a great coaching job on me and another guy in a pool when she lived in Bristol. In the sea I am looking at my watch waiting for the 40 secs to pass before I dive again. I think I need to just focus on the calm state more - and maybe do the longer breath-ups like you say.

 

[gutshot]

Robbo you would think so wouldn't you. But my best ever agachon is 2 mins in the sea. I also find that the deeper I dive the longer I hold for - something to do with mamalian dive reflex - heart beat slows right down.

I noticed the same last year. I started diving some areas which were only 3m max and i struggled to stay down for long. It felt really uncomfy. I found that by taking a smaller breath in before the dive so your chest was not as expanded helped make me feel better and stay down for longer. Something else which i have started doing is diving with vertually no inbreath at all. Usually in very shallow water where you are on sand so have no handholds. Obviously (excuse the spelling) it means you are heavey so stay on the bottom but if you are relaxed enough you can stay down long enough. I have had some good bass like this! I believe the Itallian Giorgio Dapiran is a fan of this method?

 

[badlander]

Dived the Lizard yesterday.Loads of bass and mullet around.Seemed like every drop was pulling then in.Shot a bass early on and then proceded to miss everything that appeared.Saw some pretty hefty fish around too as the tide was racing along point.They sorta thinned out as the tide hit low.Noticed a couple of other spearo's as i was thinking about coming in.Talking on the beach it turned out to be Coops and Podge who was still in the sea.Think they picked a great week to visit.Anyway,ended up with a bass and a mullet and the vis was up to 5m but pretty dark.

 

[spearflap]

dived down lizzard area today viz wasnt great some parts better than others
saw one bass that would not come into range, shot one mackeral.
going out with gutshot on the kayaks tommorow better luck hopefully..

 

[badlander]

Viz is pretty gloomy down those parts still isn't it?....Going to head down with a mate again tomorrow and hopefully get into those bass but with a bit more luck.

 

[napper]

I managed two dives at Praa Sands today. And one from Perranuthnoe yesteday Vis was fine last night and this morning and patchy later on today Picked up a nice size mullet and just missed my first mackeral and saw a few shotable bass. Off to the north coast tomorrow.

 

[napper]

Got in on the north coast very early but it wasn't really worth it. I saw one bass over one and half hours. i can touch 1min 30sec fairly well know but am wondering whether it's worth it as most of the fish I take come in after about 30secs. Obviously I'm not there after two minutes but wonder if they haven't come in then there not there. Do you think it makes a big difference Gutshot ?
Incidently when I was in at Praa Sands about 5m by the stack on the left and I got buzzed right over heard in 4m of water by a couple of kids in a small inflatable looks like the summer is here proper now. Reassuringly it was the lifeguards. Nice job. Can anyone tell me if I have to come out of the sea at five when they leave ?

 

[Padaxes]

Sounds like thats the safest time to go in! lol

 

[badlander]

Headed down to the Lizard again today.Not as many fish about but managed a 3lber early on.The bass were all to be had in the deeper water again.Saw a few tiddlers in the shallows with some mullet, and some mackerel out where the bass were.My mate blanked so all in all it was a lot of work for just one bass.Vis was probably worse than last time but it was lovely and warm.

 

[spearflap]

got in on the kayaks with gutshot on some good off shore reefs that are always plentyfull of bass but not one seen, moved closer in to shore saw one small bass
and a few mullet, had some good dives with ok viz, all in all crap, gutshot got 2 mackeral on the line and a nice sized crab, bugger all from me.always the next time and always good to get in...

 

[gutshot]

Obviously I'm not there after two minutes but wonder if they haven't come in then there not there. Do you think it makes a big difference Gutshot ?

In the past i have had quite a few dives where i was leaving the bottom and suddenly noticed there were bass behind me. I have since had the pleasure of having them swim from behind me, over my head and right into the line of fire. Then again, i have also had the pleasure, like last thur morning, of sitting in the kelp for over 2 min and had bugger all swim anywhere near me, but i enjoy it. It feels nice and relaxing. Must be careful not to be so relaxed that i nod off down there!

Anyway, as spearflap said, saw sod all today. Just the 2 mackeral on the handline while paddling out but i did catch crabs! Well 1, and he tasted great. The only problem is my 3y old daughter has just found a love for crab meat. Where have all the fish gone? Chatted to some guy fishing on his boat and he said the had caught sod all too. It is good to hear some of the guys are catching.