Freediving

Freediving is an activity that is attracting more and more people. Experiencing the world below the surface, the freedom and the feeling of floating freely in a world we are not fully adapted for is very special. Freediving, or breath-hold diving, is based on holding your breath instead of using equipment such as diving tanks and regulators, etc.

Freediving can be a competitive sport or a hobby to explore the underwater world. It can also become a lifestyle. Freediving involves techniques to manage the mental and physical challenges of holding your breath.

What is freediving? And what should you consider?

Freediving involves holding your breath underwater and there are several things to think about, need and plan for. Freediving is challenging and also gives you a lot of time to relax.

Breathing pause:
The most important thing about freediving is that you hold your breath to stay underwater.

Equipment:
When you freedive, you usually use a mask, snorkel and fins, but no other breathing equipment is needed. Possibly a wetsuit to keep warm in colder water.

Physiological adaptations:
Freediving utilizes our inherited diving reflex, a function that lowers the heart rate and conserves oxygen.

Security:
Proper training and safety precautions are important, including diving with a buddy to increase safety if you faint or become unconscious.

Types of freediving

Recreation and relaxation:
Freediving can be activities such as freediving with a camera or traditional spear or harpoon fishing. 

Contest:
Many freedivers compete in disciplines such as dynamic apnea (distance on one breath) and constant weight apnea (deep, often with fins), where they compete for the longest distance or greatest depth. 

Applied:
Throughout history, freediving has been used for specific purposes, such as traditional fishing methods that have been used for centuries or for collecting sponges.

Why do so many people freedive?

There are several reasons why so many people freedive.

Contact with nature:
Freediving is a calm and meditative way to explore and experience the underwater world. 

Physical and mental challenge:
Freediving is a challenging activity that requires focus, concentration and control of both body and mind. 

Historical roots:
Freediving dates back a long way in history. Ancient cultures used freediving early on to obtain food and resources from the sea.

Learn to freedive and feel better

Learning to freedive is good for your physical and mental well-being. For example, you can improve your breathing and control of your breathing. Your fitness and ability to relax will improve, and the unique experience of exploring the silent underwater world without equipment will provide memories for a lifetime.

Freediving also offers personal development through stress management and mindfulness, leading to a deeper connection with nature and increased self-awareness.

Freediving involves and provides:

Mental discipline:
You learn to manage and overcome the need to breathe by staying calm and focused, and build your self-confidence.

Increased self-awareness:
The challenge of holding your breath teaches you a lot about your physical and mental limits. It promotes personal development and a deeper understanding of yourself.

Feeling of freedom:
The ability to hold your breath and move through the water can create a powerful sense of euphoria, freedom, and union with nature.

Minor equipment:
Because it doesn't require as much equipment compared to regular scuba diving where you breathe underwater, freediving is more accessible and less "troublesome" compared to other water sports.

Where can I learn to freedive?

Many diving clubs throughout Scandinavia offer freediving training and you can contact them directly. You can also join us on trips at Scuba Travel where you will learn to freedive with our professional ambassadors.

Are there freediving trips?

Yes, Scuba Travel usually organizes a few trips with a focus on freediving, further education each year. Contact us or look at our ambassador trips to see when they are taking place.