After all my snorkeling experience around the globe, I decided it was time to take a proper freediving class to learn how to do it properly. Freediving is just that; diving as deep as you can for as long as you can on a single breath of air, free of any breathing apparatus like SCUBA tanks.

The first day of the two day course started with classroom theory where you basically learn that you don't need to breath as soon as you think you do when you hold your breath. It's a mind game. That's a tough challenge mentally to overcome. Your brain says it's time to breath, but according to the oxygen and CO2 chart my instructor drew up in chicken scratch handwriting and three different colored pens, it clearly says you don't have to breath yet. So who do you believe? Your brain? Or a piece of paper you are seeing for the first time in your life. Turns out the chart is correct.

Day 1 continued with our first pool session where we did static breath holds in the calm of the pool. I reached three minutes and ten seconds (3:10) which I thought was pretty good for the first time to ever really try this. One of my fellow students reached and impressive 4:40. After lunch, our second pool session went over some rescue techniques followed by a required 40 meter (131 feet) underwater swim to continue with the course. I passed this section quite easily by swimming underwater for three lengths of the pool, or about 48 meters (157 feet). Note that this was done with fins and a mask but only a single breath. We wrapped up the day with our first ocean session, where we practiced the rescue techniques we learned in the pool and started freediving along a weighted rope, marking the depth. First day rules limited us to 12 meters deep (39 feet) which we all seemed to do comfortably.

Day 2 started with more classroom theory and education followed by our second ocean session. To officially pass the class and be an AIDA 2 certified freediver, one must dive to at least 16 meters and touch a tennis ball attached to the end of a rope. Since we were all doing well with our breath hold techniques and pressure equalization, we decided to go for 20 meters (65.6 feet deep) and passed successfully. Imagine a building submerged underwater and swimming down six and half stories from the surface. It was like that. When you do your flip turn at the tennis ball and look up for the first time to see where you are, it is a "holy ****" moment as you realize just how deep you are and you have to get back. When you get that urge to breath and realize you are almost seven stories deep underwater, it can be disconcerting at first. But preparation and knowledge is the key to safety and success. Just remember that little paper chart. You don't need to breath...for a while anyway.

It's amazing what you can accomplish quickly in this sport with the professional guidance of an instructor. I used Freediving Philippines in Moalboal and my instructor, Jerome Hulin from France was outstanding. I recommend them!

I added some photos I took at the Singapore Aquarium a few weeks back showing how deep some other creatures can freedive. Check out what a sea turtle or elephant seal can do!!!