From PADI to Free diving: My Underwater Odyssey
After getting my PADI certification in Santa Marta, Colombia, I was hooked on diving. The only problem I found was that the bubbles generated by my regulator scared the few hammerheads I encountered. So I decided to get close and get my freediving certification. I look around, asked many questions and ended up taking the FII course in Jupiter with Oliver from DRIFT Freediving. During the weekend I learned that the most important things are to move slowly to conserve your energy, know that your reflex does not mean you are out of air and to never ever dive alone.
A few months later my next adventures took me to Chub Cay in the Bahamas, where I spent my weekends diving and freediving with strong divers which allowed me to practice learn and push all envelopes. I was a strong diver but became a better diver.
Chub Cay: A Diver’s Paradise
Every other weekend, I’d rush from work to Perry Airport, catching the last flight hour to Chub Cay. Though my friend was the pilot, you are not allowed to land if its dark. The hour-long flight felt like the beginning of the best party ever created, it tasted like absolute salty freedom, and it looked like every shade of blue. Upon arrival, we’d quickly gear up, grab our bags, and jump on a boat to catch dinner.
Landed at Chub Cay.
This team will take you to the best dive spots in the berry islands: chubcaydivers.com
chubcaydivers : let them take you to the blue hole and the sandbars too, kitesurfing is a dream!
If you haven’t gotten your PADI, this is a wonderful place to do it.
Free diving and Spearfishing
We’d spend our days freediving for lobster and lionfish, then dive until the sun dipped below the horizon. Under the full moon, we’d surface, gazing up at the stars. Our days blended into a rhythm of diving, finding new sites, and feasting on fresh seafood. I learned to protect our catch from Caribbean reef sharks who BTW move quickly and are not shy! and the best part? dive in your bathing suit. Gearing up is an acquired taste, but just putting on your BCD is dreamy dive conditions.
Essential Gear for Freediving
As I honed my skills, I invested in essential gear:
1. Mask: A snug fit is crucial. I swear by the Mares Viper mask.
2. Weight belt: Start with 2 pounds and adjust to find your perfect buoyancy.
(the trick to know how much weight you need is to start with 2 pounds so you can be precise on adjustments and be able to keep your nose just above the water. Another way is to begin with same weight and go down 10 meters with full breath if you sink remove weight if you float add some. Keep note of that number! If you are spearfishing you can go a bit heavier. The weight you add will change based on what you are wearing. Also most important thing!? Never dive alone.
3. Fins: Carbon fiber fins from Alchemy Hellas are a splurge worth considering, or opt for affordable alternatives like Hammerhead fins.
Getting Certified
In Jupiter, Florida, I got certified as a free diver with Drift Free diving. The one-weekend course covered classroom instruction and ocean training.
Tips
1. Start with the basics: Invest in proper gear and learn safety protocols.
2. Find a buddy: Never dive alone, and consider joining a diving community.
3. Practice and patience: Free diving takes time and practice to master.
Ladies:
I had dreadlocks in my hair every weekend after diving trust me. Oil your hair before you dive consider coconut oil or jojoba. After diving remove salt water and use a mask. Here’s a list of my vetted products.
Thank You
