I think I'm suffering from a condition that I'd best describe as a freediving hangover.
I surf the various freediving sites around the world, looking for news, insights, comedy, and the bizarre. Sometimes my thirst is slaked by a good article by a DB columnist, or by rants between rival freediving organizations, but for the most part I feel I'm missing something.
Last year, I was fortunate to compete for Canada in Spain, bring the Vancouver club to life, and help Eric Fattah with his world record. It was also my first year of freediving, first year with the monofin that is now a permanent part of my anatomy, and a year of discovery and rapid progress. Lots of excitement.
The freediving world is busy with rapid-fire succession of record attempts, IAFD's new activity, the possibility of competitions by four different organizing bodies (AIDA, FREE, IAFD, and the Belize event), the 100m constant and 200m dynamic barriers destined to fall sooner rather than later, and the growth of websites, training agencies, instructors, and online freediving commerece. It is newsworthy and interesting.
So why can't I seem to get excited about it?
Maybe I'm just getting back to basics. I went diving this weekend and made a prudent few dives to -30m. This time last year this depth was my pb. On Sunday, I went to the bottom, fiddling with my new Cressi Minima (the skirt is so soft that trying to clear the mask just pushes air bubbles out the side), remembering my descent technique, and I stopped at the marker and looked down. The water was dark, my body felt great, I was completely comfortable. I paused, soaking up the moment. It felt good to be there.
I think I'm finally appreciating freediving for the simple pleasure of tipping yourself into the water and clearing your mind. I also caught myself enjoying the surface monofin swim out to the dive site just as much as the diving.
I'll just have to learn how to see the glass as half full.
I think I'm just rambling. Anyone get my drift?
Pete
I surf the various freediving sites around the world, looking for news, insights, comedy, and the bizarre. Sometimes my thirst is slaked by a good article by a DB columnist, or by rants between rival freediving organizations, but for the most part I feel I'm missing something.
Last year, I was fortunate to compete for Canada in Spain, bring the Vancouver club to life, and help Eric Fattah with his world record. It was also my first year of freediving, first year with the monofin that is now a permanent part of my anatomy, and a year of discovery and rapid progress. Lots of excitement.
The freediving world is busy with rapid-fire succession of record attempts, IAFD's new activity, the possibility of competitions by four different organizing bodies (AIDA, FREE, IAFD, and the Belize event), the 100m constant and 200m dynamic barriers destined to fall sooner rather than later, and the growth of websites, training agencies, instructors, and online freediving commerece. It is newsworthy and interesting.
So why can't I seem to get excited about it?
Maybe I'm just getting back to basics. I went diving this weekend and made a prudent few dives to -30m. This time last year this depth was my pb. On Sunday, I went to the bottom, fiddling with my new Cressi Minima (the skirt is so soft that trying to clear the mask just pushes air bubbles out the side), remembering my descent technique, and I stopped at the marker and looked down. The water was dark, my body felt great, I was completely comfortable. I paused, soaking up the moment. It felt good to be there.
I think I'm finally appreciating freediving for the simple pleasure of tipping yourself into the water and clearing your mind. I also caught myself enjoying the surface monofin swim out to the dive site just as much as the diving.
I'll just have to learn how to see the glass as half full.
I think I'm just rambling. Anyone get my drift?
Pete