Why do you freedive?

[ONT]

I'm curious, why do the members of deeperblue freedive? I put up a poll, let's see what happens! You can choose as many options as you'd like.

 

[Apneaddict]

It's cheaper than flying a glider and requires more physical conditioning and mental relaxation.

I've never been in a glider, but the freedom, silence and tranquility seem like they'd be analogous to the freediving experience.

Eventually a glider will come back down under its own power and eventually we have to get back to the surface ourselves.

It's on my bucket list.

 

[cdavis]

Freediving is as close to flying like Peter Pan as you can get.

Its what I do and a very large part of what I am.

Connor

 

[freedivinmike]

I started freediving because of the incredible feelings you get underwater and how peaceful it is but now the number one reason for me is the awesome people and great friendships you develop in this sport even with people you have only chatted with online.

 

[Filipe Rosa]

You just get in contact with another much world, that was the reason I started to freediving, to enter my own buble

 

[HydroApprentice]

I freedive to see the world underwater and experience an unique feeling of peace, quiet and relaxation.
I love how everything slows down and seconds are perceived as an eternity

 

[wladius]

Because I can! One of my earliest memories is holding on to my father (who also used to be a diver) while he swam up and down in the pool. I always lowed water and always wanted to do diving. In the end, I chose freediving over bubbling because for freediving I have to train and stay fit, it's more challenging, it helps me relax, it's cool, requires less complicated equipment.

Last but not least, I got into community of great people (meeting new people is not easy for me) I train with.

 

[Zoe Strandquist]

For the mental peace - there is nothing as relaxing as a good dive also to look at pretty fish without all the noisy bubbles


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[Hobelf]

I really dont know
It is dangerous as Hell
More addictive then drugs
&coming on shore was a mistake
But I am going in again

 

[diddavetellyou]

i started out just from a love of being in the sea doing whatever; surfing, coasteering or just swimming. i also would like to spear fish and become more self sufficient.
that and the fact that it is so damn cool!!!


now i find it is the almost medatative quality of doing it that keeps me coming back.

new years res: re justify the money from my meagre student budget, for pool sessions in Brighton.

 

[J Campbell]

I like the discipline and meditative aspects. Holding my breath somehow relaxes me - at least the first part of the dive. My favorite thing to do is just breath up and relax then take a slow drop down below the surface - not going for depth or distance - just gliding through the water as long as I can.

 

[Ichthys]

Freediving is as close to flying like Peter Pan as you can get.

Its what I do and a very large part of what I am.

Connor

Exactly! It's like flying! That has always been the biggest draw for me.

 

[shagrath]

While I am doing static apnea I have the exact same feeling as deep meditation, and plus I found it to be really good practice for strengthening focus, concentration and being able to relax while your body is in discomfort. Dynamic apnea on the other hand is to me more demanding physically, but swimming under water with no air has a lot deep meaning and symbolism for me, and that is the biggest reason I am doing it.

 

[dfhawkins]

It started out as an extension to snorkeling... but has become a relaxing addiction.

 

[Andrew the fish]

It's cheaper than flying a glider and requires more physical conditioning and mental relaxation.

I've never been in a glider, but the freedom, silence and tranquility seem like they'd be analogous to the freediving experience.

Eventually a glider will come back down under its own power and eventually we have to get back to the surface ourselves.

It's on my bucket list.

There is no comparison to freediving, and soaring is nothing of what you think of it. Freedom flying glider - yes, to a point of course, especially after solo. Silence... not really, it may be silent just before the stall, and you don't want that, what you want is a certain "healthy" level of noise as a confirmation on your airspeed. At higher speeds it may be as noisy as passenger jet. Tranquility - fcuk no. You calculate everything and continually scan and evaluate, and communicate. Try flying on a slope with a few other gliders, it is nothing short of terrain following coupled with formation flying. Throw in a slight hypoxia and dehydration and adrenaline rush... hardly a cerene sport.

 

[Matt Elkins]

I Freedive because to me it's my peace, and. I Feel like I'm asleep and awake at the same time.

 

[izirajder]

Because......the same reasons as in the 16 posts above

 

[Mr. X]

To spearfish. As a young child, I recall seeing two older boys, teenagers, returning from spearfishing, walking, talking & laughing near the harbour front at Brixham, Devon - they had caught some fish & were clearly having a great time in the process. That memory has stuck with me for almost 5o years.

The simplicity, affordability and potential of "snorkeling"/"skin diving" as it was called then, compared to SCUBA, appealed to me when I was a little older (11-12) & started to do a little snorkeling. Jaques Costeau was often on TV during my childhood, ditto Marine Boy, Flipper, etc. Later, as adult I did some open-water swimming, when training for & competing in triathlons, which I found liberating/empowering/life affirming/freeing. I also realised then that a wetsuit adds buoyancy, which aids swimming but also adds a significant safety margin, along with comfort in a situations that would otherwise be cold, dangerous & physically challenging.

The things already mentioned above about peace, etc. I experience now, when I am alone at sea, casually looking out for a fish, a crab, a scallop, whatever - or just exploring the terrain, flora & fauna. I normally try to dive at quiet locations but if folk approach to chat or to look at my catch (if I have one) I always make to point to engage with them because I recognise the positive influence those 2 young spearos had on me, in Brixham back in the early 1970s. I have had some interesting conversations that way.

 

[Brad]

I freedive solo off the Southern California coast because i love the fishes and want to see who's around and take their picture! I am a complete fanatic.. I swim alone at night a hundred miles off the coast...

 

[SubCurrent]

I recreationally solo freedive in South Florida to explore, look around, and just feel weightless. I've found very cool things on the bottom of lakes, the ocean, a clear canal, and even in my own backyard swimming hole. It relaxes me, especially at night, looking up at the moonlight. It's peaceful and I purposely stay away from people. They just don't understand.

If I ever find a dive buddy that shares my love of exploration and not spearfishing or competition freediving, then that would be nice. But even if I don't, it won't stop me from diving. [emoji4]

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