What is Freediving?

You may have seen movies that feature freediving, you may have read books that make a mention of it, or you may have encountered news pieces on freediving competitions and world records. You may have even had a friend come back from a vacation and show off their recently acquired freediving certification, along with amazing photos and videos from under the sea and a new pair of impressively long fins. Freediving is actually one of the oldest forms of diving, but has been growing steadily in popularity as a sport in recent decades. But what exactly is freediving?

Freediving is the practice of holding your breath when diving underwater without the use of breathing equipment, such as a scuba tank. Freediving is a way of life for some, a competitive sport for others, and a hobby for many. Read on to find out more information about what freediving is, the benefits that come with it, where you can freedive, and why people are doing it.

Recreational Freediving

Recreational freediving is freediving for leisure, such as on vacation or training (non-competitively) with a certified buddy. People freedive recreationally for many reasons: to challenge themselves physically and mentally, to take beautiful underwater photos, to improve their mental health, to explore the underwater world, or to improve their fitness. The reasons are endless. But most freedivers will mention the feeling of peace and calm they have when they dive, and how they use it as a form of meditation and feeling connected to their surroundings.

Applied Freediving

Applied freediving is freediving with a purpose, such as hunting for seafood, various underwater sports, or performing scientific research. Freediving can be a part of daily life for some people, like the female “Ama” divers in Japan that collect pearls and seafood, or the Bajau tribes of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, who live at the sea and spearfish. Freediving encompasses their existence and is part of their way of life.

Competitive Freediving

Competitive freedivers are athletes who dedicate their training to participate in competitions. There are lifestyle sport freedivers who join competitions to challenge themselves and improve their skills, and professional sport freedivers who compete to break national and world records. All competitive freedivers use advanced techniques and train rigorously in and out of the water with a level of total commitment as a freediving athlete. Their physical, in-water training is often supplemented with other types of cross-training, mental training, diet, and rest. The physical limits of the human body are still unknown as freedivers continue to dive deeper and longer, with seemingly no end to their limits in sight.