A fisherman on a pier sees a swimmer dive near by, the swimming is underwater for 30 seconds, a minute, 2 minutes! Upon surfacing the fisherman yells to the swimmer “what are you doing!? I thought you drowned!”
“Freediving” the swimming answered.
“What is freediving?” asked the fisherman, and so began a discussion that we will have here today.
Simply put, Freediving is the act of diving below the surface of the water on a single breathe. Freediving is also known as free diving, free-diving, skin diving, or apnea diving. People may equate freediving with seemingly superhuman individuals spending minutes at impossible depths, that is not the whole story. Basically, any breath-hold diving can freediving.
As kids, most of us probably spent time in swimming pools with friend, having competitions to see who could hold their breath the longest. That in essence is the simplest form of freediving and the starting place for many on their journey with apnea. Similar in some ways to snorkeling, and similar in others to SCUBA diving, freediving is a combination of both. Freediving is easily accessible for many people as the equipment required can be quite limited (provided you are in warm water), just like snorkeling. Freediving can also take you to similar depths that SCUBA can although for much less time.
A Brief Freediving History:
Freediving is arguably one of the oldest sports undertaken by people and our ancient cousins. For thousands of years freediving wasn’t a “sport.” Not until the “first” freediving competition, a simple bet between sailors in the Italian Navy less than 100 years ago. From there the sport of freediving has evolved from a means to gather food and other materials to an international sport practiced by a growing body of like-minded individuals. The future of freediving will be filled with increased adoption
What is Competitive Freediving?
Competitive freediving is the culmination of the “sport” aspect of freediving. While not yet an Olympic sport, there are several international governing bodies for the sport. The two main ones are Association for the Development of Apnea (AIDA) and Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS). There are multiple events administered by each organization at 8 locations around the world each year.
There are eight Freediving disciplines recognized in international competition by the AIDA. They are:
Constant Weight ( CWT)
The divers ascend and descend a guideline without touching it with the exception of at the bottom. Free divers use a monofin for maximum power and efficiency. Weight cannot be changed during the dive.
Constant Weight No- Fin (CNF)
The divers ascend and descend a guideline without touching it with the exception of at the bottom. Free divers do not use fins for this discipline. Weight cannot be changed during the dive. It is often considered the most challenging depth discipline due to the extra effort required to reach depth and resurface.
Constant Weight with bifins (CWTB)
The diver ascends and descends a guideline without touching it with the exception of at the bottom. Free divers us bifins for CWRB. Free divers are forbidden from using a dolphin kick during an attempt. CWTB was formally separated from CWT by AIDA in 2019.
Dynamic apnea no fins (DNF)
The divers swim horizontally without contacting a physical surface with the exception of the pool end walls on each turn. No fins or swim aids are allowed for DNF. 25-meter pools are preferred to take advantage of the increased thrust from wall kicks on the shorter pool length.
Dynamic apnea with fins (DYN)
The divers swim horizontally without contacting a physical surface with the exception of the pool end walls on each turn. Free divers use a monofin for maximum power and efficiency. Pools 25 meters or long are required for record attempts. 50-meter pools are preferred. so as not to be slowed by wall turns
Dynamic apnea with bifins (DYNB)
Divers swim horizontally without contacting a physical surface with the exception of the pool end walls on each turn. Participants use bifins and are forbidden employing a dolphin kick. 50-meter pools are preferred so as not to be slowed by wall turns.
Free immersion (FIM)
Free divers dive along a guideline without the use of any propulsion equipment or kicking with the legs. Divers can only ascend or descend during their attempts by pulling on the guide rope with their arms.
Static Apnea (STA)
The diver lies motionless in the water and hold their breathe as long as possible. STA can take place in a pool or open water. The discipline differs from world records administered by Guinness as the later attempts can employ pure oxygen breathing prior to the attempt.
Other Freediving Disciples:
No-Limits apnea:
Free divers can employ any means to ascend and descend to depth on a single breath as long as a guideline is utilized.
Skandalopetra:
One of the oldest freediving disciplines and one only true team freediving event. No masks, fins, suits or equipment other than a nose clip are permitted. Teams are made of two individuals. Diver one descends to depth with the assistance of a stone slab attached to a line. Once diver one reaches the target depth, diver 2 must haul diver one to the surface using muscle power alone.
Static apnea with pure oxygen:
Pure oxygen apnea is the method employed for Guinness world record attempts at the maximum breath hold record. Divers can breathe pure oxygen for up to 30 minutes before each attempt.
Variable weight apnea :
Free divers descend with the use of a weighted sled on a line. The ascent to the surface can be made by pulling along a line with the arms like in FIM or by kicking to the surface without fins under AIDA, or by swimming to the surface with fins.
Purely for Fun
Freediving isn’t just about competing. The majority of divers will never take part in the major competitions around the world. Just like the majority of surfers never take part in the world tour. For most, the joy of being immersed in the ocean, the calm and peace it brings, and the chance to spot wildlife are the main draws of freediving.
Conclusion
Freediving is more than simply holding your breath underwater. It has grown into a a vibrant community of individuals and disciples who all share on thing in common. The desire to hold their breath and see what the subaquatic life holds for them.
As always, respect the ocean, have fun, and dive safe!
If you are new to freediving and are looking for advice on your next fin purchase or your first freediving trip check out these other Free Depth articles: Best Freediving Fins Best Freediving Fins – Free Depth Freediving Locations for Beginners in Croatia (freedepth.com)