Freedive Open Water Session (c) Matt Beanland

What does it mean to a newbie to become a freediver, how does it feel, what are your goals, what are your fears? For me, it’s a loong long time ago, that moment, when I held my breath under water for the first time – but I remember it like it was yesterday. The feeling of “how in the world should I pull this off?” and then, the leap of faith, trust the instructor and just DO IT. Only to discover, it’s the most relaxing, the easiest thing there is – shut down all systems, enjoy floating, allow bliss to happen.

Now, a few years later, taking students by the hand and lead them down the same road, I always wonder how they feel on this journey. You know, a so called “static breath hold” is probably the only performance you can achieve by letting go, by not doing anything  – it’s a meditation with immediate feedback and no way of cheating.

With some students I speak a lot during a freedive course – while some others prefer to be left alone in their moment of facing their deepest fear – the fear of drowning. As long as they all come up with a smile, it’s all good for me. And they always do! But it’s a very special thing for me to read a comprehensive review of a course and learn more about some personal insights of a student, after a few days time to let things sink in. Please read the blog linked here (in German, but even the translator of your browser will give you a good idea of the content):

http://knipsfisch.de.dd11900.kasserver.com/wordpress/?p=1538

So, thanks a lot, and I hope to see you all in the water, soon!

Oli / AIDA Freedive Instructor