Why freedive, you ask?
Freediving can be whatever you want it to be. A sport, a hobby – even a form of meditation.
Whether you’re looking for the most immersive way to experience the ocean, or for a lifelong self-improvement goal, read on to learn why freediving is perfect for you.
Freediving is an activity where a person dives with just the oxygen stored in their lungs, unlike scuba divers who rely on oxygen tanks.
Freedivers can learn to hold their breath for far longer than the average person, which means they can spend a long time enjoying the underwater environment before needing to come up for air.
There are many reasons to freedive, from health benefits to socialising. Read the top 9 reasons below and discover your new passion.
For many people, setting goals is a foundational part of their lives. It gives them something to strive towards that provides structure. Freediving is the ultimate sport for personal improvement because there is no ‘finish line’ for your own personal best.
Push yourself to go deeper, hold your breath for longer, and work yourself up to more challenging dives. We don’t want to sound too cliche here but – the world really is your oyster.
If you are competitive in nature and looking for a sport to take up, freediving is perfect. It requires mental and physical resilience, discipline and practice, and a tremendous amount of effort to be competitive.
Unlike conventional sports, you never completely ‘win’. While you may come 1st in a longest or deepest dive competition, new records are being set all the time. As freediving grows and competitions become more common, the level of your competition will grow with you.
A common misconception is that diving is a personal, solitary experience. While it can be if you want it to be, diving can also be a social experience. Many social freediving communities exist all over Australia and the world.
They can be a fantastic way to meet like-minded people, get tips from your peers and push each other to succeed.
As per the previous point, a big part of why freedivers enjoy the experience is the social aspect. Diving with your partner can be a fun, bonding experience. You’ll both build trust because you are relying on each other.
It will also feel like a secret that you both share. You’ll have your favourite spots, and a surprise visit to one of them on a birthday or anniversary is a great way to get some brownie points!
One of the main reasons why you should freedive is for your health. Freediving improves your fitness in two ways.
It naturally encourages better dietary habits because the ability to hold your breath is affected by your overall fitness. For instance, if you are a smoker, or are overweight, it will be more difficult to hold your breath for long periods of time.
As you naturally become more committed to freediving you will find yourself trying to live a healthier lifestyle so you can stay down longer on dives.
Diving itself is physical. Swimming is an excellent workout on its own, but combined with holding yourself in place against currents and the natural calories burnt while your body keeps itself warm, you’ll find yourself stronger and slimmer in no time.
There is a reason that most people describe their perfect retirement as relaxing on a beach somewhere. It’s because of the idly lapping waves and the warm sand underfoot – there’s just something about the ocean that people find calming.
Free diving takes it a step further. When you are on a dive, the tranquil silence and the gentle massaging of the current will melt all of your stress away.
In fact, people often treat freediving as a meditative experience. When diving, you will naturally concentrate on your breathing. Freediving meditators use this as a way to focus themselves and clear their minds.
Bulky scuba equipment can scare animals away and slow you down. Freedivers can get closer to marine life since they aren’t making any noise, and are much more mobile. If you want to feel like the camera in a David Attenborough documentary, freediving is for you!
Australia has some of the most naturally beautiful and biodiverse marine locations in the world. If you are looking for travel ideas, you can’t beat a tour of Australia’s best freediving spots.
But you don’t just have to consider local spots. Imagine diving in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean, or in the tropical reef paradises of the Caribbean. Freediving could be the perfect excuse for an international holiday where you will have an unforgettable experience.
Oxygen tanks and other scuba gear are expensive. One of the best things about freediving is how inexpensive it is by comparison. With just a pair of flippers, some goggles and potentially a wetsuit, you are good to go.
For people who take freediving really seriously, there are countless accessories, all of which are useful. But for casual diving on a budget, to be a freediver you really just need a good set of lungs and a love of the ocean.
To take your freediving to the next level and feel comfortable diving in difficult spots, you’ll need professional training. Freediving Central is a team of qualified freediving instructors in Sydney and on the Central Coast who teach, in three waves, the skills required to become a beginner, intermediate and advanced freediver.
We also schedule freediving trips all over the world for freediving enthusiasts. Learn more about us on our website.
If you would like to get your freediving journey started, click here.
If you are interested in booking one of our trips, click here.
Discover various breathing techniques that are commonly used in freediving and relaxation practices. Whether you’re an experienced freediver or someone looking to reduce stress and anxiety, these techniques can help you achieve your goals.
