where to begin

[mako8]

i'm fairly new to freediving. i've been diving for about 6 years and in the past couple i've been lured into freediving. recently i've been able to borrow a friend's pair of cressi's (2000 HF i think). when i actually used the right tools i was down to the bottom at 50 ft before i knew it. so now i really want to start training to maximize my capabilities.

is there a right place to start training? i'm very comfortable in the water, i've run competitively for about 7 years, and i go to the gym frequently. this in mind, my legs are in good kicking shape and i don't get cramps very often. i think i have a good background so i want to know what i should be doing to really get into this. i've heard of CO2/O2 tables as being a good way to get breath holding abilities better. can i start using these and how often can/should i use them? and how far apart should i use the CO2/O2 tables respectively?

i want to get a low vol. mask and a good pair of fins. for fins i have 3 in mind:
cressi 3000 LD / 2000 HF
picasso team black

well, any help that any of you can give me on any of this would be helpful and appreciated. cheers!

 

[deep thinker]

Theres a few threads on here with 02 and C02 table discussions there is also one with a downloadable program that helps you to work out your tables, look around a bit and Im sure youll find it, the one with the programs has alot of activity on it so it should be easy to find, just look in the freediving session.
As for the fins question theres alot of threads on that too. Ive tried the garas and found the blades a bit too stiff. So I got a pair of black teams and man :inlove I never go anywhere water related without them. The nice thing about them is that you can change the blades and the pockets, its fixed with a self lock nut so as you progress you can increase the stiffness of your blades wich is a bonus

 

[sanso]

Welcome to DB, mate!

I think You'll find everything You need for a good start here

As a primer on freediving I can recommend this thread [ame="http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?t=64959"]http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?t=64959[/ame] (just to make sure - You probably have read it already)

Fins. - I recently got a pair of gara 3000 - not the 3000LD (Long Distance). IIRC, the 3000 are a little softer than the 2000, but harder than the 3000LD . I am extremely happy with them. If Your legs are well trained, as from cycling or running, I assume You shouldn't have a problem with them; and legs do adjust to whatever strain You put on them. But then, it's also a matter of taste/style..

For a mask, I was lucky enough that my girlfriend got me an aqualung sphera before even I knew I was going to freedive more often. I absolutely love it, but there are lots of discussions about it.

Well, all the best!

 

[cdavis]

Hi Mako,

Welcome to DB. Its the place to learn what you want to know.

Where to start training? Where ever you are. Best right now is just diving and getting comfortable with the concept. Learn to use the search function to look up specifics. Ask specific questions and you will usually get an answer here.

On fins: the 2000s are good fins, used'em for years, and your legs should be plenty strong enough for them. However, a softer blade, like the 3000 blades, will be more efficient in shallow water ( say, down to about 18 m) and on the surface. The 2000s will be better for deep water, 30 m and down, and maybe for styles of spearfishing where acceleration is critical. As you get more experianced, and deeper, you will probably want to experiment with higher tech blades of fiberplastic and carbon fiber. For those, you will need a foot pocket that can take interchangeable blades (the cressis are fixed). Above all, is comfort of the pocket and that varies with the individual. Some divers love cressi's, some hate'em. Same with Omers and others. Use the search function to look up other divers experiances and compare that with your expected use. If at all possible, try'em before you buy'em.

Have fun learning,

Connor

 

[mako8]

thanks yall. the input helped. i've started working on static tables and apnea walking among other things. for gear i'm narrowing things down and as of right now i'm leaning towards the 2000 hf's and the cressi focus mask. both seem like the biggest bang for the buck and should last me until one day where i hope to try out the c4's. from what everyone has said, they sound real nice. i want to get a real freediving wetsuit sometime in the near future too. how much of a difference do they make as compared with using an average neoprene wetsuit for scuba diving? right now i'm workin with an inexpensive, but reliable 3mm 1-piece and a 2-piece 5mm wetsuit from the early 80's.

 

[cdavis]

Hi Mako,

How much difference? Depends on where you are diving and how much suit you wear. The special advantage of a freediving suit is keeping you as warm or warmer with less rubber, so you need less weight and are less negative when you make your turn to start up. A 3 mil Elios will be warmer than your 5 mil and you will need much less lead, especially if yours is a farmer john. A major advantage if you are diving more than 20 m, but good at any depth.

Connor