Freedive Buddy Who Has No Training

[MartinTee]

I'm currently training with the Stockport group near Manchester on Sunday evenings. Problem is, it's 60+ miles away so I'm limited to just the one session a week.

In my own time I do tables, max holds and breathing techniques, all in my bedroom and on the safety of my own bed.

I gym and swim a few times a week and my sister is at the same place. I've asked about taking a wetsuit in and they've OKed that so I wont get cold as the pool is one of the coldest I've ever been in and the area is also air conditioned.

What I do at the pool is DNF and Static Holds. I've gone through a basic introduction to freediving with my sister and what I'll be doing with her being my 'accountabillabuddy' hehe. I now start off with DNF's, doing stuff on my technique and distance and relaxing etc etc but the point of the thread is, what would be the best way to introduce her to freediving without her going on a course? Website links? Things I know about that I can talk to her about? Training for a recovery from BO etc? Once I get all these pointers down and in what order of importance I'll see how she takes it all.

I've spoken about my training, I've introduced safety procedures whilst I do DNF and also Statics and other than that there isn't really much I've added. I don't want to overwhelm her but I also want her to know what she needs to know so then I can feel better in the water and actually start to push myself.

Her background is minimal scuba diving, i'm definately the water baby in the family. She has performed nationally and for her county at rounders/cricket and netball etc so is well versed in sports/competition/stressful environments and because of this I fully trust her to be my buddy, even without training.

I've offered to give her my book on the manual of freediving and also breatheology but she doesn't have the time to read them in a week or two.

The only other suggestion I have had is to ask my local course geeza (ste) to do a half day course or intro specifically for someone who should know about freediving but doesn't actually want to get involved.

Thanks

 

[Siku]

But she will be involved. If she really doesn't want to be she won't be a good buddy.

Definitely doing a course is a good idea but I think your best bet is to get her into freediving. I had a very similar situation with my girlfriend. She wasn't that into it but I just took her too the pool and we messed about and had some fun and gradually she got into it. You should see her monofinning now!

I know you want to train seriously, and maybe messing around having fun doesn't appeal, but I think if you want a long term buddy to train with you need someone who's into it, and that means they have to enjoy it. Freediving's fun, right? Then I'm sure you can sell it to her!

Fun is infectious and if you have fun she will too... but she might not if the first thing you do is dump all the safety, rules and reponsibility on her.

Sorry if that's not much help but it's another angle to think about anyway.

But yes a basic course is essential.

Hope it works out for you. Let us know.



Edit: be prepared that she might be a better monofinner than you in no time ;-)

 

[Kars]

Well difficult situation I think.

Let me ask what her motivation is to support your passion?
How do you return the favour?

The nice way to get her in would be to find what she likes/needs and see if freediving can give her that. External motivation is something that wears out quickly. Frankly from your words it sounds like you're on the edge of how much she may be able to give to you.

Now if you can invite a female Freedive instructor over to show her the beauty and joys of freediving to her, that would help to at least help her understand your passion a bit better.

When I'm training with friends, I design my training so that I need as little time of them as possible. So I do many easy 25m DNF's and 50 DNF's to train. I rarely do a max, and even then I only do it right before closing time, when it's getting empty and I got a clear lane and don't bother others.

I also make friends with pool staff, because I'm not their regular customer and have some special needs. Like wearing lead, wearing a monofin (breaking a pool rules). I also make friends with the other swimmers, so they don't freak out or see me like an unknown stranger who they like to rat out on the slightest of reasons.

In the mean time try to find some other buddies, the more you have, the more fun, and the least you need their favours/time.

He who treads softly, travels far.

Love, Courage and Water,

Kars

 

[MartinTee]

Is that from experience then Siku?

Talking about the fun and the mono-finning, I shown her my technique and she instinctively had a go and couldn't stop laughing at herself so I'll put the fun feelers out there.

It's more a time thing than anything else, she is sporty and will find it fun, to some level as its freediving but she works 6days a week at one job and then helps out 20+ miles away at another job.

Yes I do wish to take this seriously, I'm patient so will hold out for a proper buddy but thought of this for an option to get in and actually be able to do DNF etc

Thanks Siku, will keep you updated

 

[Siku]

Is that from experience then Siku?

It totally is! Damn those yoga girls with their body awarenes and flexibility!

Kars' advice is good, as ever.

Right it's 5.30 on a Friday here.. I'm off to the pool!

 

[MartinTee]

Well difficult situation I think.

Let me ask what her motivation is to support your passion?
How do you return the favour?

I think it was me asking politely, she just sounds more surprised by what I've managed to do in 4 months and said yes.

I am yet to properly return the favour, thankyou Kars Some of my cooking or a drink out could be on the cards!

The nice way to get her in would be to find what she likes/needs and see if freediving can give her that. External motivation is something that wears out quickly. Frankly from your words it sounds like you're on the edge of how much she may be able to give to you.

She has started pilates and talking about breathing properly so am trying to use that angle as she wants me to start doing that with her.

Now if you can invite a female Freedive instructor over to show her the beauty and joys of freediving to her, that would help to at least help her understand your passion a bit better.

This is a top idea, I shall ask the two women I know who do freediving to maybe have a pool meet with me and my sister.

When I'm training with friends, I design my training so that I need as little time of them as possible. So I do many easy 25m DNF's and 50 DNF's to train. I rarely do a max, and even then I only do it right before closing time, when it's getting empty and I got a clear lane and don't bother others.

I've gone in to the pool thinking exactly this, it's slightly different though, my pool is open from 6am til mid night so there is no real quiet time. I think we go at the quitest time of the day anyway, either 8am or 6pm just before people finish work. She usually swims while I relax and then I grab her for a DNF or static and am too yet to go over 50 metres.

I also make friends with pool staff, because I'm not their regular customer and have some special needs. Like wearing lead, wearing a monofin (breaking a pool rules). I also make friends with the other swimmers, so they don't freak out or see me like an unknown stranger who they like to rat out on the slightest of reasons.

I have been lucky here, one of the pool staff has a friend who goes in with wet suit and other gear so have initially asked for a wetsuit to be allowed in and then will go from there over the next month.

He who treads softly, travels far.

Love, Courage and Water,

Words to that affect are what I'm trying to use to show my sister I won't be pushing my boundaries.

Thankyou for the insight and quotes gentlemen!

Love, Courage and Water