Freediving course in Bali?

[Erik]

A total of about 5 weeks in Bali, 1 year in Jakarta, with some good Indo travels as well. My "surfing" is pretty horrible (another bad learning curve haha) but I sure enjoyed what I've done.
The 3 Nusa's over there are really worth going to at some point. Never did get to Lombok and heard a few horror stories from others, so didn't bother. Also if you go up the East coast a bit you could freedive that wreck that all the scuba guys go to. It's close to shore and not too deep. I didn't make it there either.... next time.

 

[ultra-life]

Ok, it´s scary how fast freediving is taking over my life now! I can´t wait. I´m going to Nusa Lembongan!
After I thought I´d found the perfect place to stay, freediving comes along and messes up everything. But hey, what can you do...just go with it!

What did you do in Jakarta?

I want to climb Gunung Agung while I´m here. The plan was to start at the beach somewhere, bicycle the 1000something meters vertical up to Besakih, sleep a couple of hours there, and then hike up the 1900 remaining vertical to the top. Then down and back again to the beach.
But NOW, I could start off diving at the wreck in Tulamben, and then jump on the bicycle. That way, I would start off with negative altitude
Then, when people ask me how it´s possible that I climbed more vertical than everybody else, I can just say "Ooh, you started off at sea level. Do people still do that?" :t

 

[Erik]

I was teaching at NJISchool. Indo's lovely, especially Sumatra, Jakarta's fun if you're single- but it's a shithole of the worst sort in many ways too. I prefer more remote areas, but the work/money isn't there... need to live in a city to make $$ and just get out as much as possible. Are you working over there or on an extended holiday?
And yes, freediving can be very addictive haha.

 

[ultra-life]

Extended holiday. I do seasonal work in Norway. When I work I have no life whatsoever, but that also means I can save most of the money I make. Then when I travel, I can just be free. I´m always trying to improve my work:vacation ratio. Currently it´s about 1:2. If I wouldn´t have to feed my geek side with new gadgets, I could probably get it up to 1:3.

Part of what gets me so excited about freediving, is that I can do it everywhere. Most of my other sports are pretty location dependent. Just now, I found out that only 2,5km from where I usually work in Norway, there´s a deep lake with good visibility, in the middle of the forest. Should be excellent for diving! You wouldn´t find a surf break there, or a 50 degree couloir...

 

[Erik]

I hear you on the ratio brother haha! Good on ya.
I live 1200km from the ocean and do lots of spearfishing in the lakes when I cant get to the sea... COLD sea that is.

 

[ultra-life]

Where in Canada are you located?

I´m going to order a tailor made Elios suit when I get back to Scandinavia, but will probably need something here as well. Thinking of bying a cheap 3/2 surf suit here, that I can also use when surfing in colder waters. Think that´s a good bet?

 

[Erik]

I'm in Edmonton Alberta Canada.
That surf suit will be fine for diving down in Bali. The only thing to make sure of is that there is a good tight fit at the neck area, otherwise the suit will balloon and catch water as you dive and move underwater. Not TOO tight, but just a good fit.
Elios 5 or 7mm with Heiwa medium-density open rubber inside, and nylon out will be perfect for northern waters. 5mm is a good compromise and will be fine, but 7mm means hours in the cold water comfortably (even in winter), especially if you're a spearo.

 

[ultra-life]

Woohoo! I just did a 4 minute dry static, after one week of practice. Did an O2 table first that ended in 2 times 2:30. Then rested 4 minutes and improved my record from three minutes to four, in one go! Go me

Moving to Nusa Lembongan tomorrow, and am really looking forward to diving into the ocean. Think my ears are going to give me trouble, as I´ve never actually diven deep before. But I´ll tackle that hurdle when I get to it. Right now I feel like I can do anything

 

[MBanks]

As I understand this thread was from last year sometime, but while planning a trip to Bali and Lombok I came across this company on the Gili Islands:

freediving at blue marlin

They appear to run courses

My wife and I will be the Gili Islands and Lombok area from August to September this year so if anyone else is still around then if could be fun to hook up with other freedivers? I'd love to try some spearfishing out there....Any pointers on where I can learn what is safe and legal to catch and eat around those waters?

Cheers,
Martin

 

[Newbie_spearo]

Best bet would be to contact andre, from andre spearguns, or bali spearfishing, just google it. he does spearing trips, and I'm sure there are other places that do them too. Get friendly with some local fisherman and they will take you out in a boat for like $10 US.

 

[MBanks]

Thanks for the suggestion, I just joined the spearfishing bali forum!

 

[rovanpera]

As I understand this thread was from last year sometime, but while planning a trip to Bali and Lombok I came across this company on the Gili Islands:

freediving at blue marlin

They appear to run courses

I couldn't find information from the Blue Marlin site that who is the freediving instructor there?

Manta Dive in Gili Trawangan also has freediving courses:

http://www.manta-dive.com/dive-courses-padi-ssi.php?cmsFld=90

I can recommend the Apnea Total courses. I gained a lot from the advanced course althought I had taken a similar level course earlier.

Jussi