Freedive on Gili Air: Have you ever wanted to explore what it feels like to swim through the sea like a fish at a time without being buried with the bulky scuba gear? Well, recently I have tried something very new, freediving at stunning island of Gili Air in Indonesia. And it was adventure, by the way!
1. The Land Lover to Mermaid
Four days passed and instead of someone who clings to the ground I turned into a real-life mermaid. The initial parts were hard, at least I was surprised, and then suddenly everything falls into place. Suddenly I was able to go to 16 meters on a single breath. It was a magic!
2. What makes Freediving so Special?
Freediving is mainly about the mind, unlike most sporting activities which require much use of muscles. You learn to dive down ever deeper underwater using one breath. What possible reason can there be to do that? Good question!
More fish: Bubbles can scare many fish using the scuba gear. When you are snorkeling, they approach right? Freediving enables you to be further in depth without frightening them.
Fewer materials to carry: With only few materials required; fins, weights, a mask and a snorkel, you are just set. That’s it!
Mental strength: I did not understand this until when I started. It is a matter to be calm and relaxed even when your body stimulates you to breathe. This is relaxedness aids far beyond the water as well.
Get that mermaid feeling: I would be lying to say that this was not my primary motive. No one is against that feeling of being a mermaid.
3. Finding the Right Place: Gili Air
I love Lombok and Gili Islands. They are renowned to have great freediving classes. On Gili Air, I would choose Freedive Flow due to great reviews and the fact that Gili Air is much less hectic and quiet in comparison with Gili Trawangan.
4. The story of my Freediving Journey starts here
During day one, we came to know the reason why our bodies feel like taking in a breath of air even when we have gained sufficient oxygen. Thereafter, we trained holding breathing under the water. I kept mine two and a half minutes and this surprised me very much! I thought I would have given out in not much more than one minute. Well so far so good in terms of relaxation.
5. Being in the Island Life
I would also get on a bike and ride to watch the sunset on Gili Air every evening. There is the law: no rotten sunset in this island! The sunset was something uplifting.
6. Overcoming Challenges
I went on struggling on the next day. On first few dives, I could not even go past the first meter. Equalizing (clearing your ears) is not the same in freediving compared to scuba diving, and it took me quite some time to learn it.
I understood that I had to alter my style. I was simply lying face down in the water and watched how the sunlight played through the blue. Also, I worked on the relaxation of all my physical parts including my eyes to my jaw, neck, and chest.
7. Click Moment
Something did finally click as the pressure was off. I made equalization of my ears! I decreased my depth until it became 7 meters, 10, and 12. On the second day I went to 16 meters, did my rescue dive and even tried buddy diving.
8. My Takeaway: It is an Addiction!
I completely understand what makes freediving an addictive sport. It is as though you are going into a new state of mind. You feel the need to breathe heavily but you are taught that it can be done with the power of the mind. This can be studied by everybody who is fit!
That is why I want to do that, bit by bit. It was fantastic to have made this initial step towards becoming a “mermaid”. In case you would consider giving it a try, do yourself a favor. I swear, you have never had anything quite so.
For more blogs – click here
FAQ Section:
Q1: Is freediving risky?
A: It is not but as a part of any water sport, there are risks involved but learning with a certified trainee and practicing the safety precautions, it is one of the safest things. They give you some rescue methods and how to dive in pairs.
Q2: Am I required to be a good swimmer in order to freedive?
A: You do not need to be an Olympic swimmer but it is good to feel yourself at home in the waters.More attention is given to relaxation and breath command rather than speed and endurance.
Q3: When does it take to master freediving?
A: The basic courses normally take around 2-4 days, such as mine. You will be taught the basics and you will train on shallow depths. To go further, you will have to train and practice more.
Q4: How does freediving differ with scuba diving?
A: Scuba diving entails the utilization of air tanks in order to prolong the time that you spend under water. Free-diving is practiced of one breath-hold with regard to mental control and efficiency to achieve maximum depth.
