Hello from Belgium

[StevenD]

Hello everyone,

I came across this forum while searching for info on freediving and spearfishing.

I am currently on a waiting list for a local freediving club, it seems to be quite popular and not easy to get in.

I have been snorkling for several years, but while in the south of France last year I was trigerd when we took a trip with a guide that's also running a freediving school.

While looking around the internet I also came across spearfishing videos and this also triggered me.

So now I want to learn freediving first and then possible in the future pick up spearfishing as well.

It's always good to exchange thoughts with like minded people.

Thx for having me on this forum

 

[Stephan Whelan]

Welcome to the forums @StevenD

 

[dcvf]

Hi “StevenD“

I’m from Belgium too ( Brabant Wallon)

I follewed freedinving course i a club of Brussel (Wolu plongéeclubduring +/- 9 year
And after by AIDA (+/- 6 year)
To find a local freediving club, please look at AIDA https://www.aidabelgium.be/fr/entrainement/

If the snorkeling interest you please watch my french forum ;
https://snorkeling-passion.forumactif.com

I hunt with just a camera (Red Sea, Maldives, Indonesia)... see the videos on my forum... plus videos from other members

I hope to see you on my forum
dcvf

 

[StevenD]

Bonjour, @dcvf I will actually start a course tonight in a club a bit further away from home, but hey no waiting list so that's a bonus. and I can still switch afterwards (or stay member in both clubs and get more training time)

Most of the times I will have just a camera as it will be snorkling with the kids, but I would like to try the spearfishing just from time to time.

 

[dcvf]

Hi “StevenD“

“ I will actually start a course tonight in a club …“
Which club and where, if you don't mind me asking?

“Most of the times I will have just a camera…“
What type of camera?
Do you have any videos on YouTube?

“I would like to try the spearfishing …“
Here a french forum
https://www.chasse-sous-marine.com/forums/

 

[dcvf]

My favorite videos
https://snorkeling-passion.forumactif.com/t142-indonesie-2017-et-2018

 

[StevenD]

The club is called Lagoon divers in Aartselaar. Living in Mechelen, not the most convenient but still OK.

For underwater use I have a gopro 13 compact and convenient, nothing special.

I have no video online and should just make some time to edit so I can share them.

Thx for the link to the french forum.

 

[dcvf]

Hallo StevenS
Het was niet meer beschikbaar in Mechelen?

Vrijduiken – Duikschool AMYKOS vzw

amykos.be

Lang geleden ben ik gaan duiken bij "De Nekker ».… Duiktank Transfo, Dife4life enz

 

[StevenD]

Amikos is further for the weekly pool training from where I wil go now, but there is a club in the "nekker" I am on the waiting list there. I'll probably end up being member of both.

 

[dcvf]

Hi “StevenD“
did you already follow a freediving course?

 

[StevenD]

I did have my first session and loved it, nothing spectacular but thats not what I'm looking for anyway, just progress and personal growth is fine.
I ordered some equipment too and will probably need a wetsuit soon too. Any shops you can recomend in Belgium? as most shops seems to be focused on diving and not so much freediving.

 

[dcvf]

Hi “StevenD“

“did have my first session and loved it, nothing spectacular but thats not what I'm looking for anyway, just progress and personal growth is fine.“

What are you looking for exactly? (static, dynamic, theory, depth other ?)

“I ordered some equipment too and will probably need a wetsuit soon too. Any shops you can recommend in Belgium? as most shops seems to be focused on diving and not so much freediving.“

What did you choose Up to now?


I have :

- a 5 mm wet suit for cold water (*) https://www.amazon.ca/-/fr/Beuchat-Mundial-Combinaison-plongée-Taille/dp/B07QHNG18H bought by https://www.petitfute.com/v40163-bruxelles-brussel/c1168-shopping-mode-cadeaux/c733-sport/c739-enseigne-generaliste/1394322-dsm-diving-scuba-marine.html

(*) flooded quarries like La Gombe etc https://vimeo.com/142274793?utm_source=email&utm_medium=clip-transcode_complete-finished-20120100&utm_campaign=7701&email_id=Y2xpcF90cmFuc2NvZGVkfGNkZGJiY2NiMTk2YjExNjVhNzEyZWRlYzdmZTVhYjZmMjA1fDEwNTY5MDh8MTQ0NDc1OTc5MHw3NzA

for warm water (red sea, Maldives, etc) Cressi Profile 0,5 mm https://www.palanquee.com/combinaison-profile-scubapro-0-5mm-homme plus thin neoprene diving hood

- Carbon fins RGZ (**) see picture https://i.servimg.com/u/f82/20/10/73/08/c_est_13.jpg

- Mask Cresi Atom https://snorkeling-passion.forumactif.com/t936-mon-nouveau-masque

- Snorkel see picture https://i.servimg.com/u/f82/20/10/73/08/c_est_13.jpg

(**) bought on the net

And of course a video camera ; Sony HDR-AS50

 

[StevenD]

What are you looking for exactly? (static, dynamic, theory, depth other ?)
All of the above, as said, personal growth and learning something new and getting better at it is what life is all about in my eyes.
What did you choose Up to now?
I bought a mask in store so I could test fit mares star, will have to see how it performs next training (tuesday) and I need to prepare it before that training.

I was recomended leaderfins for my fins, and I have ordered 2 sets, short fiberglass ones for pool use and long carbon ones for outdoor use. Both have different pocket size so I can swap them according to weather I use socks and how thick.
Snorkel I have also ordered from leaderfins, as it was cheap simple and convienient.

Only thing I need is a neoprene suit, possibly 2 in time for different temperatures, I was told they train outside as soon as the water reaches around 13° so was recomended to get a 7mm suit. This is where I'm hesitant to get it online as I can not try it on.

I have also ordered a few smaller pieces like a buoy and other general things online.

 

[dcvf]

“I bought a… mares star, …I need to prepare it before that training.“
How will you prepare it ?

 

[StevenD]

“I bought a… mares star, …I need to prepare it before that training.“
How will you prepare it ?

Already done it, trick I learnt from a french freediver involving a verry much used but non recomended way if you look around the internet, (it involves a lighter)

 

[dcvf]

lighter…not recommended indeed

I have a testimony stating that this is not a lasting effect, because contrary to popular belief, the cause comes from the molding of the mask's skirt, which affects the lenses.
Therefore, we must prioritize eliminating the cause, and not just focus on the effects.


Some videos… from my forum !
Look at 7:22 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPp-3O89oko&t=6s
https://snorkeling-passion.forumactif.com/t740-supprimer-la-buee-dans-mon-masque-de-plongee
https://snorkeling-passion.forumactif.com/t808-3-astuces-anti-buee-pour-vos-masques-de-plongee
https://snorkeling-passion.forumactif.com/t902-un-masque-recalcitrant

 

[dcvf]

You're interested in spearfishing, but:

- Where do you intend to fish?

- What species are you interested in?

 

[StevenD]

That is something for a next step, first learn to properly and safely freedive then expand. As for location will probably be mostly France, but again that remains to be seen and where I end up finding a buddy.