There are lots of resaons to freedive, competition or recreation...
If the competitive side appeals to you, here are the different categories of freediving...
If the competitive side appeals to you, here are the different categories of freediving...
Pool Disciplines
Static : Static is all about holding your breath as long as you can. Simply, you float, face down, in a pool, and relax and see how long you can last. Static requires strong mental discipline. It uses relaxation, visualisation techniques and determination.
Dynamic : Dynamic is about swiming as far as you can with one breath. You start at one end of a pool, dive under, and keep going as far as you can. The diver can wear either bi-fins (a bit like the fins that scuba divers use, but longer, for efficiency) or a monofin (which looks like a mermaid tail).
Dynamic No-Fins : DNF is much the same as dynamic, so it's still about distance, but this time, the diver is not allowed to wear any fins. The diver swims underwater for as far as they can, using a breaststoke type style.
Dynamic : Dynamic is about swiming as far as you can with one breath. You start at one end of a pool, dive under, and keep going as far as you can. The diver can wear either bi-fins (a bit like the fins that scuba divers use, but longer, for efficiency) or a monofin (which looks like a mermaid tail).
Dynamic No-Fins : DNF is much the same as dynamic, so it's still about distance, but this time, the diver is not allowed to wear any fins. The diver swims underwater for as far as they can, using a breaststoke type style.
Photo : George Stoyle, Kate Adams
DEPTH DISCIPLINES
Constant Weight : CW is about depth. You swim down, as far as you can, turn round, and swim back up. You have to carry the same weight throughout your dive. You can either use bi-fins or a monofin.
Constant Weight No Fins : CNF is much the same as constant wieght. It's still about depth, but this time the diver doesn't wear any fins. The diver swims as deep as they can, again, using a breast-stroke type stroke.
Free Immersion : FI is still about depth, but this time the diver uses their arms to pull themself down a line, and then pulls back up.
Variable Weight : VW means the diver can use a heavy weight to pull them as deep as they can, then they drop the weight, turn round and swim up.
No Limits : No Limits means just that. The only limit is the fact that the dive must be done on one breath. No Limits is the deepest discipline. Typically, the diver uses a weight to drag them down, and then a lift system to bring them back to the surface.
Constant Weight No Fins : CNF is much the same as constant wieght. It's still about depth, but this time the diver doesn't wear any fins. The diver swims as deep as they can, again, using a breast-stroke type stroke.
Free Immersion : FI is still about depth, but this time the diver uses their arms to pull themself down a line, and then pulls back up.
Variable Weight : VW means the diver can use a heavy weight to pull them as deep as they can, then they drop the weight, turn round and swim up.
No Limits : No Limits means just that. The only limit is the fact that the dive must be done on one breath. No Limits is the deepest discipline. Typically, the diver uses a weight to drag them down, and then a lift system to bring them back to the surface.
