Have you ever seen that video where a guy walks towards the sea until his face submerges underwater? Then all of a sudden, he’s at the edge of what looks like a cliff that goes all the way down to the bottom of the ocean? Before you know it, he jumps into that dark hole and dives deep till his feet touches bottom, then swim back to the surface to breath.
He did all these in a single breath. Yep, one long breathe. No tanks, no breathing apparatus whatsoever. This one of a kind sport is called Freediving.
If you have not seen this kickass video, watch it below. Be amazed!
Champion Freediver Guillaume Nery conquers Dean’s Blue Hole
In that freediving video at Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas, the world’s deepest blue hole, Champion Freediver Guillaume Nery showcased just what freediving is all about.
Freediving is a form of underwater diving wherein a diver relies only on their breath to dive deep into the sea. This is done through the application of proper breathing techniques before they descend into the deep blue sea in one single breath.
What’s this sport got to do with Cebu?
The worldwide popularity of this extreme sport coupled with the beautiful beaches and unparalleled reefs all over our province, thrusts Cebu in the freediving limelight. Cebu is getting known as the ultimate freediving destination in the Philippines. Anyone who is interested to learn how to freedive can either choose to enroll in freediving lessons at Moalboal or at Mactan Island. This sport features certifications too just like the more famous scuba diving.
What’s wonderful about freediving is that it offers you the opportunity to be one with the sea. As you dive slowly, you come face to face with mesmerizing marine life, you’ll also get the opportunity to interact with different sea creatures like various kinds of fish, squids, sea horses, sea turtles, whale sharks, barracuda, and if you are lucky, the white tip sharks that are famous in Malapascua Island on the northernmost part of Cebu.
Words of caution though just like with any other extreme sport there is risk involve and danger that looms every time a freediver starts to dive into the abyss. This danger doesn’t only come from his surroundings, every time a freediver dives, he also puts his self at risk of shallow water black out, one of the top causes of accidents and deaths in the freediving world. This is the reason why no one should freedive alone. If you are thinking of getting into this extreme sport, be with a buddy or be with your group of friends.
Why is freediving getting popular in Cebu, Philippines?
If you have seen the Moalboal episode of Byahe ni Drew then you know what an exhilarating experience freediving is! This sport is also less expensive when it comes to the diving equipment use compared to scuba diving as you will only need fins, mask, wet suit and buoy (optional). There are diving shops that offers these for rent, you can also buy yours.
Also you don’t need to be an expert swimmer to be able to freedive. If you’ve got the will and determination you will learn how it is to freedive.
How long can you hold your breath?
While an average person can hold their breath for a maximum of 30 seconds, professional freedivers can hold their breath up to 5 minutes or more. If you can only hold your breath for 2 minutes, that’s more than enough to freedive and explore the underwater world.
Freediving is one addictive sport. Once you are down, you’ll see amazing sites that regular folks don’t see every day, you will also discover something new with each dive as the world under water is amazingly diverse. Freedivers also experiences this deeper sense of freedom, of flight. You can glide, fly like Superman if you want! You can freefall, and let go before you have to go up the surface again.
Imagine yourself seeing everything clearly from your comfortable spot at the bottom of the sea. We bet you will feel a certain kind of peace, and a realization that life is amazingly wonderful as it affords you opportunities like freediving to get to know the ocean and what lies beneath it.
Are you up for some freediving? 🙂
Leave a Reply