The Myths and Misconceptions of Freediving.
Phone conversations with my Mother always start the same way; small talk about the family, the local community gossip and drama, and of course the weather. My parents live in Canada while I reside in Bali, so weather differences often need a bit of explanation. However, when it inevitably comes time to talk about work (freediving), I can feel the worry grow in my mother's voice as I try and assure her what I do for a living is safe, just misunderstood. I enjoy teaching beginner level freedive training because it allows me to teach students how to enjoy and practice an incredible sport in a way they can reassure their Moms of their safety.
Here are a few of the common myths of freediving that are alive in media culture.
Myth #1. The End Goal is Going Deeper
Freediving is not about depth, just like playing golf is not about beating Tiger Woods in a one-on-one showdown. Competitive freedivers are competitive athletes, and the rest of us just want to enjoy a sport that makes us feel healthier. Taking a PADI freediving course is like taking a golf lesson- the goal is to gain the proper freediving techniques to practice safely, to progress your own skills, and to increase comfort in the water. The “benchmarks" that are set as you progress through levels of PADI freediving courses are not meant to emphasize depth alone, but instead the mental and physical sensations that are attributed to each of those depths. The sport is about mental and physical improvement, not how deep you go. The reward comes from each of these wins. From a practical and recreational perspective, the deeper you can dive safely- where there is still light of course- the more likely you are able to get away from the snorkelers, the noise, and allow the pressure to do magical things to the body.
Myth #2. Pushing Yourself is the Way to Progress
Intuitively, many people feel that if they push themselves mentally and physically, they can excel at anything. I remember as a kid friends and I used to give each other “Indian burns”, where one of us would grab a hold of the other’s forearm with two hands and twist in opposite directions until they cried out for mercy. At the time, it was a test to see who could withstand the most pain, and we would each do it with a grimace on our face, tapping our feet and writhing our bodies. Try giving one of these to a monk and see how they react- you might then begin to understand the proper way to conquer the physical stresses. Freediving is about relaxing the body and the mind, and not fighting the natural reflexes that arise. Instead, freedivers learn to embrace these reflexes, welcome them, get to know them, and eventually become friends with them. When you welcome the burn, it still hurts, but in a friendly sort of way.
Myth #3. With So Little Time, I Can’t Experience Anything
Do you remember the first time you learned to ride a bike? I don’t, most likely because it was a traumatic and nerve-wracking experience that my brain has chosen to block out. I can without doubt say that my first bike riding experience as a kid was not a relaxing stroll through the park, admiring the raccoons and the butterflies, listening to the gentle breeze go through the spokes and the trees. No, the VHS proof shows what was most likely tunnel vision on the handlebars, an uncontrollable increase in heart rate, and a constant and anxious fight with my own balance as my body tried to control a very unnatural and ungraceful sensation. It’s no wonder that when people start freediving, they don’t notice the curious fish swimming all around them, or the turtle just below their feet. But as soon as they get some experience, develop confidence and learn basic skills, freedivers experience the water in a very unique and intimate way. Fish are more curious with no bubbles to scare them away, the sounds are deafeningly quiet allowing for total relaxation, and the pressure on the body feels like a cosy blanket protecting us from the cold. The water is soft on the face, and hey, we finally notice that fish. Most importantly, we are comfortable and safe PADI Freedivers.
Myth #4. Freediving is Dangerous
This one is for my Mom. Yes, freediving can be dangerous. The same way driving a car, riding a bike, or even playing golf can be dangerous. It’s a sport with a learning progression that, if done correctly, will yield amazing results with very little risk. If you start riding a bike with training wheels, you might never have an accident. If you learn to swing the golf club properly, you might avoid throwing out your back. Like any other sport, freediving comes down to learning, practicing, and the proper instruction. Many people start a conversation about freediving with “It’s dangerous” and end it with “Why would I take a course in holding my breath underwater?”. You can see the misconception staring right back at you. To be good at something, you have to first learn it properly and then practice.
Myth #5 Physically I Can’t Do It
Most of us are unable to freedive down safely to 100 m, surface, smile, and give a high five to our buddy. This kind of achievement takes years of mental and physical preparation, and while it may look easy on youtube, it is far from a bike ride in the park. However, much like running a marathon, our bodies are capable of doing amazing things without any serious training. While running the marathon you may be overtaken by mothers with strollers, but it doesn’t mean you can’t finish. Your ego will cry, your body will hurt, your mind will scream, but your legs will NOT fall off. Freediving to shallow depths- the focus of the first few PADI freediving courses- is a goal that is achievable by everyone. For some, it will take more determined mental practice, and for others, old habits may have to be broken and new habits made. But in the end, everybody can freedive.
So next time you’re thinking about giving beginner level freediving a try, a few gentle words of advice: First off, take a course. Learning techniques from google will get you a third of the way there, while instruction will take you all the way. Second, allow yourself to be nervous, and voice this to your instructor. Nerves are good- they hold us accountable for our strengths and weaknesses, and encourage us to work on them. Without nerves, we can’t have progression, and without progression, we don’t have sports that help us to grow. Let go of the misconceptions, and give the incredible sport of freediving a try!