Hello,
I was certified to scuba 16 years ago but never really felt natural with all the heavy gear and extra parts. I have always thoroughly enjoyed snorkeling in shallow waters where I could see the ocean life, enjoy the scenery, and wear minimalist gear. It’s been a very long time and I’ve recently found a new fascination with freediving that coincides with my future wife’s dreams and career path. It’s something we can share together and travel around the world doing.
When I was a child I was always jealous of my father and my older brothers abilities to dive down and hang out beneath the sea on a single breath of air. With no instruction, terrible equalization technique, and very bouyant gear I found it terribly frustrating and never advanced past 20 or 30 second breath holds. I’m the kind of person who loves a challenge though and I enjoy projects and self-improvement, so naturally these all go together quite well.
I’m very excited to start freediving but am trying my best to stay rational, because for all I know, I could end up not enjoying it as much as I think I will. Since none of my old gear fits right anymore or is applicable to freediving, I’m getting together new bits and doing lots of research. I found one of my old wetsuits that fits, a 3.2mm that I think was for surfing. I’ve bought a new mask and snorkel specifically for freediving. I’m going to also pick up some freediving fins, some gloves, booties, and a dive knife. I’ve got my dads old weight belt around here somewhere and a hood I believe. If I find freediving as enjoyable as I hope, then I’ll eventually be moving on to spearfishing and bringing home some supper! Truthfully I don’t eat seafood that often because I don’t quite trust not knowing where it came from. But the idea of hunting and catching some myself is quite satisfying.
If there’s anyone in my area or if anybody has useful resources and information please share!
Have a good one,
-Dane
I was certified to scuba 16 years ago but never really felt natural with all the heavy gear and extra parts. I have always thoroughly enjoyed snorkeling in shallow waters where I could see the ocean life, enjoy the scenery, and wear minimalist gear. It’s been a very long time and I’ve recently found a new fascination with freediving that coincides with my future wife’s dreams and career path. It’s something we can share together and travel around the world doing.
When I was a child I was always jealous of my father and my older brothers abilities to dive down and hang out beneath the sea on a single breath of air. With no instruction, terrible equalization technique, and very bouyant gear I found it terribly frustrating and never advanced past 20 or 30 second breath holds. I’m the kind of person who loves a challenge though and I enjoy projects and self-improvement, so naturally these all go together quite well.
I’m very excited to start freediving but am trying my best to stay rational, because for all I know, I could end up not enjoying it as much as I think I will. Since none of my old gear fits right anymore or is applicable to freediving, I’m getting together new bits and doing lots of research. I found one of my old wetsuits that fits, a 3.2mm that I think was for surfing. I’ve bought a new mask and snorkel specifically for freediving. I’m going to also pick up some freediving fins, some gloves, booties, and a dive knife. I’ve got my dads old weight belt around here somewhere and a hood I believe. If I find freediving as enjoyable as I hope, then I’ll eventually be moving on to spearfishing and bringing home some supper! Truthfully I don’t eat seafood that often because I don’t quite trust not knowing where it came from. But the idea of hunting and catching some myself is quite satisfying.
If there’s anyone in my area or if anybody has useful resources and information please share!
Have a good one,
-Dane