Hello from noob in Los Angeles!

[TheTinman]

Hi everyone!

Let me just introduce myself first. My name is Marc, I'm 46 and live in LA.
I have always liked being in the water and love body surfing and such.

Recently I have been thinking of trying free diving.

I have not trained for anything in 12 years, but decided to test myself a bit in the spa last week. I was astounded that with minimal effort and just at the point where I experience the initial need to breathe I clocked at 2:44!

This was with just 3 good breaths first.

So I seriously wonder if I have a good foundation to build upon to actually DO this. I don't know what my limit is because I do know better than to push myself ALONE.

Looking forward to responses, a lot of reading, and probably taking a course this summer.

And... of course, I hope to meet some new friends hopefully in Los Angeles to get into this sport.

Cheers!

Marc

 

[Salehthefish]

Hello and welcome on DB

All best

 

[foxfish]

Hi The Tinman, welcome to db - we have a "Tinman" already!
Have a look here Freediving

 

[TheTinman]

Hi The Tinman, welcome to db - we have a "Tinman" already!
Have a look here Freediving

Thanks, I noticed that. Though I have had the nickname Tinman since 84.
It was actually given to me by some friends. But I run into my copy from time to time on the net.

Anyhow, doing loads of reading. I am very excited for the summer.... I think I have a good shot at this since I can practically live in the water already. Just never tried the diving part before.

 

[agbiv]

Welcome from Texas!

 

[mermaidgirl]

Hi Marc,
I live in the OC and there are a few of us around LA who get together and train-- not as often as we would like but maybe it will improve. Some of us compete, spearfish,etc. Personally, I do both. I train in a pool everyday ( except now I am dry-docked from an ear perf. from competition 2 weeks ago) but will be back in next week. Let me know if we can help you get going with your freediving.
Carla

 

[TheTinman]

Hi Carla,

Well, I would certainly like some more info regarding this. I am buying a new wetsuit soon to do my body surfing again this year, sooo... I'd love to hook up with a group and get into it. Though I do not eat fish other than salmon, I'd still love to go.

Marc

 

[TheTinman]

Well, go figure since my last post I have been recovering from a few cracked ribs.

It's amazing what 3 weeks of not being "active" can do. Gained 5 pounds, despite my best efforts to watch what I eat. Anyhow, did a little reading in the meantime. Still sore, but healing nicely. At least I can take a deep breath again.

Why is the outlook for Los Angeles so bleak? Still looking for a club to hook up with, get some real training and go have some fun this summer.

Hello????? Hello??

 

[mermaidgirl]

there is a spearfishing club LA Fathomiers, also Long Beach Neptunes and the OC Freedive and Spearfish club.
For freedive training there is a group who train at the 50m pool in Culver City.
I can send you contact info if you are interested.

 

[TheTinman]

there is a spearfishing club LA Fathomiers, also Long Beach Neptunes and the OC Freedive and Spearfish club.
For freedive training there is a group who train at the 50m pool in Culver City.
I can send you contact info if you are interested.

I would be, indeed. Thank you.

 

[Lil Dragonfly]

Hi and welcome

A word of warning about breathholding in the spa! I read on a web page selling hot tubs that you should never submerge your head in it because it will cause brain damage.

(Explains a lot about me lol. When I went on vacation to the Bahamas as a kid I would always swim underwater in the spa...)

 

[Erik]

Welcome dude- you're in a good spot methinks. And I'm sure you'll be good at it and enjoy it.
Erik

 

[Don Paul]

Welcome Mate, take some time healing your ribs, the fish will be here til
Nov. Clubs are a great way to get face to face with your mentors, although
now with all the great info on the web, one can learn the basics if one is a good waterman.

That mermaidgirl has some major dive skills along with being a world class swimmer.

Cheers, Don Paul

 

[Bill McIntyre]

Welcome Tin Man.

I'm not clear on what you want? Do you want pure freediving up and down lines and in pools, or are you interested in freedive spearfishing?

 

[Don Paul]

I think he will have a hard time finding salmon on dives.
Cheers, Don

 

[TheTinman]

A few answers to a few comments: I keep my spa only warm. I can't stand hot water. So no danger there at all. I probably got brain damaged from other things.

As to the style of free diving.... I'm not interested in competitions or how deep I can go, etc. I just want to hone my ability to cruise along admiring the scenery. Yes, like spearfishing, but I'll use a camera. My favorite thing is to slowly dolphin along the bottom, looking at various things and creatures. I just want to get a lot BETTER at it. I'm in it more for the zen, not the "sport". I just LOVE being in the water.

I have just never had any real training, however. I'd like to see what I am really capable of in a supervised environment. Not quite ready to drown doing something stupid. My last try in the spa was 2:47, but that's where I feel I should stop, being alone. I KNOW I can exceed that, but I'm scared to push it without a spotter.

BTW, ribs are healing nicely. I am getting back in the water next week. Feeling good.

So.... where ARE some of these clubs anyway? I'm only a few minutes from Playa Del Ray, as a starting point.

Marc

 

[Lil Dragonfly]

If you want to try for longer breathholds without supervision you can. Just be sure to do it on land (preferably lying down in bed), is all

(BTW breathholding in the water alone is a bad idea period, even if its not for very long.)