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Debunking Freediving Myths

Text by Tamsyn Signe | Photos by MATT STOW - freediving africa

BETWEEN INSTAGRAM REELS OF OCEAN RAMSEY’S SEEMINGLY DEATH-DEFYING INTERACTIONS with giant tiger sharks and Alexey Molchanov’s regular world record dives to depths well below 130m, the public perception of freediving exudes an air of adrenaline and edginess, suggesting that ocean submersion is a risky business, albeit filled with the possibility of life-changing wildlife encounters and bucket-list adventures.

This image is bolstered by a plethora of adventure tourism options: swimming with whales in exotic destinations like Tonga and Mauritius, jumping onto a yacht in the Bahamas, Philippines, or Australia to join a yoga and freediving retreat, or diving with sharks in French Polynesia. You’d be forgiven for believing it’s a pastime of the rich, given the eye-watering price tag associated with these experiences. However, there’s much more to freediving than meets the scrolling eye, and I’d like to give you a glimpse into the world of possibilities that lie just beneath the surface if you know where to look!

Myth #1: Freediving is inherently dangerous
Truth: So is driving your car, working a stressful job, or eating chicken off the bone. Life is filled with risks, many of which can be well managed, particularly in freediving. By taking an introductory freediving course, you quickly learn basic safety concepts and feel more confident approaching the water with an understanding of the risks and what to do in an emergency.
In short, always freedive with a buddy, ensure proper weighting for safe buoyancy, know how to support a buddy in distress, and assess the environment you choose to freedive in.
These practices lay a strong foundation for many happy, safe hours in the water. Choose an instructor who prioritizes safety, and never push beyond your comfort zone. As your experience grows, your comfort zone will expand organically.

Myth #2: You can only freedive if you are an athletic person with a long breath-hold or big lungs
Truth: Freedivers come in all ages, shapes, and sizes, and the ocean belongs to everyone. The human body has incredible capabilities, including the Mammalian Dive Reflex, a "superpower" you might not have discovered yet. Our bodies are programmed to operate differently underwater, and submerging the airways initiates a series of physiological changes designed to optimize oxygen efficiency during a breath-hold. The heart rate slows, blood is redirected from the extremities to the core, and a profound sense of calm descends. For a brief moment, time seems to stop, and as you absorb the beauty around you, it feels as though you may never need to breathe again. Eventually, the buildup of carbon dioxide triggers the urge to breathe, reminding you to return to the surface.

Almost everyone who has spent time underwater, whether in a pool or the ocean, has experienced this feeling. What few realise is that the urge to breathe is simply an early warning, and there’s usually enough oxygen saturation left for a safe return to the surface. Ultimately, the key to safe, enjoyable dives is relaxation. By calming the body and mind before a dive, you can achieve a meditative state that extends both the length and enjoyment of the experience. Tense muscles and a busy mind consume more oxygen, and holding tension in the torso can make equalisation more challenging.
Learning these fundamentals from a skilled instructor, along with choosing a safe, accessible place to dive, can lead to a zen-like calm found in few other activities.

Myth #3: You need to be a daredevil to freedive
Truth: You can experience the ocean in a safe, gentle way, making it enjoyable even for the most risk-averse. Although social media is filled with extreme examples, the essence of freediving is meditative immersion. With just a mask and swimsuit, swimming around just below the surface of a warm ocean and marveling at life on a shallow coral reef can be as fulfilling as deep, competitive dives. Exploring the accessible kelp forests of False Bay or swimming through underwater hoops at 5m in Lighthouse Bay, Dahab, offers a taste of freediving without intimidation.

Myth #4: Freediving is expensive and inaccessible to most
Truth: Freediving can be as affordable as you make it. A basic introductory course costs around R2000 to R6000, which is a worthwhile investment in understanding the fundamentals safely. After that, a set of plastic fins, a mask, snorkel, weight belt, and wetsuit covers your basic needs.

For those with budget constraints, community events offer affordable introductions to freediving. In Cape Town, for instance, several foundations work actively to democratize ocean access. With a basic set of gear and a safe buddy, the ocean becomes your playground. Join local freediving groups, discover dive spots, and explore easy shore-entry dives together.
As you dive more, understanding local conditions becomes second nature, allowing you to venture out independently with your buddy. Freediving is the easiest way to access the underwater world, with fewer financial barriers than scuba diving.

The physical and mental impact of being in the water is profound; I have yet to meet a freediver who hasn’t experienced health benefits. In a world filled with anxiety, stress, and constant demands on our time, the water provides a sanctuary where we can be present and reconnect with ourselves and our environment. After a dive, a sense of calm relaxation replaces anxiety, offering a magical escape from reality. Immersion allows mental rest and rejuvenates both the body and mind.
For scuba divers who venture into freediving, the minimal gear offers a new sense of freedom and connection to the underwater ecosystem, much like walking on foot through a game reserve rather than being in a game vehicle. Many freedivers find this freedom so addictive that their scuba gear often gathers dust in storage!
As the summer season approaches, let this be your invitation to experience the ocean more deeply through freediving.

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