Learning to freedive better can be challenging. Here's 7 ways to improve on your freediving technique.
7 Freediving Tips
1. Always Dive with a trained buddy
You might notice that the pros always dive with a buddy! No one is exempt from the potential dangers and hazards that diving alone present. If you want to progress safely this is the best way to push your limits while being confident that should something happen your buddy will be there for you.
Photo by Bo Pardau of Author Byron Kay aka @konafreediver (click to see his instagram images)
2. Get a Low Volume Mask
Get a lower volume mask. That way you will use less air to equalize it. Additionally get a flexible mask like the Apnea 100 or the Apnos. Their flexibility means you don't have to equalize as frequently and they are more forgiving to depth changes. Eventually when you decide to get competetive and go for deeper depths you can ditch the mask and go for a nose clip.
3. Point your arms
Lock your arms in place when ascending or swimming horozontally. This will make you more streamlined. Also, look straight ahead with the top of your head pointing in the direction of your movement. This will further streamline you.
Pointing your arms and looking forward makes your body more streamlined
4. Kick Hard, then not so Much
Always begin your dive with a strong few kicks and then reduce the amount of force and amplitude of your kick as you reach your neutral buoyancy point. At a certain depth below your neutral buoyancy point you will stop kicking entirely because your speed from being negatively buoyant will be enough to move you through the water. In fact, when you are negatively buoyant enough, kicking will slow you down.
5. Warm Up
Take a few shallow dives until you get an urge to breath then come back to the surface (with your buddy present). This will help your body's dive reflex kick in.
6. Get good Fins
At some point in your freediving you will become limited by your gear. Having more responsive and efficient fins will help. When choosing a material go for carbon fiber for the best performance in Bi-fins. If you really want to become a slippery dolphin-like creature go for a monofin which is even more efficent allowing you to travel deeper faster while consuming less air.
Kona Freedivers YouTube channel has loads of videos about how to select the best fins
7. Hydrate
Probably one of the most overlooked aspects of preparing for diving. Freedivers will often carry a gallon jug around to monitor their daily intake. Take small sips over a long period of time to allow your body to safely absorb the liquid. Water is usually best. I like our insulated flasks with Shell Eisenberg's custom art. Your body will perform more efficiently when hydrated allowing gas exchange to work optimally and your heart to pump blood more easily.
Bonus Tip
Take a freediving course! You will learn all of these tips in greater detail and much much more. You will also learn how to apply and practice them with instructor feedback. This is the fastst way to help you develop good habits. For more info on courses read our blog: Don't Waste your Money on a Freediving Course
Kona Freedivers is Hawaii's highest rated and most reviewed freediving company. We offer courses, freediving gear, and excursions.
About the Author
Byron Kay is a freediving instructor and the founder of Kona Freedivers and owner of Kona Honu Divers as well as Kona Snorkel Trips. They stand out as Hawaii's top rated and most reviewed businesses among their peers having a perfect 5 star rating on google. To learn more about Byron and his latest goings on visit his bio page.