Imagine being able to reach the depths of the ocean with no need to carry a heavy oxygen tank and without the heavy noise of your breathing to drown out the sounds of the sea. Freedivers do just that, holding their breath for over four minutes underwater and using a technique called monofining. A single fin is worn while the diver undulates his or her body in the motion of a dolphin to propel themselves through the water. We caught up with freediver Alex Boulton to hear how it’s done.
How is the sport developing in the UAE?
Because of its pearl diving heritage there is a lot of interest in freediving within the UAE. Early next year we will be running a Discover Freediving session where people can learn about the theory of freediving and learn some basic breathing techniques and see how long they can hold their breath for.
Why not just use an air tank and go scuba diving?
The main advantage of freediving over scuba diving is that you are free from equipment – you can be as free as any other creature in the sea. All you need is a single fin, a snorkel, a mask and a qualified buddy. You are also free from breath – freediving literally takes your breath away, and, because you are quiet, you can hear the silence of the sea, making it easier to connect with its serenity.
How deep can you go under the water?
I’m a two-star AIDA [Association for the Development of Apnoea] freediving instructor, so I need to be able to dive up to 40-50 meters in depth and hold my breath for longer than four minutes.
What’s it like so deep down in the water?
It’s totally calm, peaceful and tranquil. But to get so deep you have to free yourself from your normal mindset. Most people think they cannot hold their breath for longer than 30 seconds, but 90 per cent of our students exceed two minutes in their first session. The look on their faces is one of the joys of instructing.
How dangerous is it?
Like any sport there are safety risks, and like any other sport we have strict protocols that we follow to avoid any problems. But you’re completely relying on yourself – you’re not relying on any equipment – so if you know your own limitations and dive with a buddy if is a very safe sport.
How easy is the technique to learn?
It can be quite challenging for beginners as you have to learn to let go in terms of your breath hold and then coordinate your dive to minimise your oxygen usage. Like any sport the challenge is in improving yourself, but the AIDA Two Star course gives you the building blocks of good technique and safety procedures so students can practise on our monthly trips.
What’s been your most exhilarating freediving moment?
Calmly diving to nearly 40m with no fins. I had the perfect state of mind with the perfect conditions. Freediving is the most liberating and calming way to explore the underwater world.
Become a freediver
FreedivingUAE is running two courses early next year – an introduction to monofining, which is pool-only training, and an advanced course for monofining in the open sea. The courses will be taught by world champion freediver Mike Maric, and Valter Mazzei, the Italian freediving national team coach.
Courses begin in January 2011. Dates to be confirmed. For details, contact Alex at FreedivingUAE at contactus@freedivinguae.com
