Reading on competitions page of the forum, conversation about, ‘’calendar of Skandalopetra Free diving games’’ in Greece, I realized that, there is poor knowledge about this ancient style of free diving and still few tried an attempt in life. Looks to me like before learning monofin technique. I had no idea of it’s benefits. First time using it , felt like Hundini, fastened into the pool. Disappointment.
Skandalopetra, is a new (but also very old) free diving style. Older than Hirodotos(ancient Greek historian who mentioned it), brought to us, through the ages, by Aegean islands sponge divers. They safely free dived very deep , collecting sponges, with no lethal or decompression accidents. People in Aegean islands of Kalymnos, Simi, Halki…do not feel an achievement, diving 60-70m with Skandalopetra, since their grand-grandfather used to do it, even deeper for life. This is true history of my country.
Which are the principles of Skandalopetra? First of all to make an attempt , you always need a partner, who’s Greek name is kolauzeris. Naked (almost)diver, on a boat or platform, holding the skandalopetra, which is fastened with an 8mm width rope, dives into the water, body following the stone in a hydrorinamic style(like monofin dynamic). Kolauzeris on the platform maintains the rope, in order to flow straight behind diver, feeling at the same time the attempt .When diver arrives the depth they predicated, kolauzeris stops giving rope , diver steps on the stone and brings him back. Diver uses a lanyard fastened on his hand (gasa is the ancient Greek name) .No mask is forbidden, only nose clip.
A normal attempt going and returning to 40m, needs less than 1min20sec.The speed of descending, is maintained according to individual ability of equalization. Starting from a platform benefits on perfect concentration and respiration. The rest is good technique on the relationship between man-stone -water-equalization. I tried hundreds dives with skandalopetra last years. My experience is that it is a pure physical , technical , low energy demanding(less than 30% oxygen) dive. Cold water of thermoclins look like a difficulty for not experienced. Since there is space and time for concentration, temperature is never a problem.
Try skandalopetra, an easy mental and safe style to go deep. First learn the proper technique, then gain meters and feel the depth. For me and my companions is something like “no limits”, but less expensive and much easier.
Skandalopetra, is a new (but also very old) free diving style. Older than Hirodotos(ancient Greek historian who mentioned it), brought to us, through the ages, by Aegean islands sponge divers. They safely free dived very deep , collecting sponges, with no lethal or decompression accidents. People in Aegean islands of Kalymnos, Simi, Halki…do not feel an achievement, diving 60-70m with Skandalopetra, since their grand-grandfather used to do it, even deeper for life. This is true history of my country.
Which are the principles of Skandalopetra? First of all to make an attempt , you always need a partner, who’s Greek name is kolauzeris. Naked (almost)diver, on a boat or platform, holding the skandalopetra, which is fastened with an 8mm width rope, dives into the water, body following the stone in a hydrorinamic style(like monofin dynamic). Kolauzeris on the platform maintains the rope, in order to flow straight behind diver, feeling at the same time the attempt .When diver arrives the depth they predicated, kolauzeris stops giving rope , diver steps on the stone and brings him back. Diver uses a lanyard fastened on his hand (gasa is the ancient Greek name) .No mask is forbidden, only nose clip.
A normal attempt going and returning to 40m, needs less than 1min20sec.The speed of descending, is maintained according to individual ability of equalization. Starting from a platform benefits on perfect concentration and respiration. The rest is good technique on the relationship between man-stone -water-equalization. I tried hundreds dives with skandalopetra last years. My experience is that it is a pure physical , technical , low energy demanding(less than 30% oxygen) dive. Cold water of thermoclins look like a difficulty for not experienced. Since there is space and time for concentration, temperature is never a problem.
Try skandalopetra, an easy mental and safe style to go deep. First learn the proper technique, then gain meters and feel the depth. For me and my companions is something like “no limits”, but less expensive and much easier.
