MysteryDiveBuddy
Contributor
SNIP
*Reincarnation**poof**genie noises*
Ok here I am again. I haven't tried stretching my limits since the 25'. This is a good discussion that I find particularly interesting because I do kind of a hybrid thing. I usually freedive when I don't want to SCUBA for whatever reason. Additionally where I am living right now has both coldwater and warmwater environments PLUS sometimes I freediver for the challenge of "hold long and deep can I go?" and sometimes I want to look at stuff or get close to fish without nasty loud bubbles. I'm also trying to get into spearing starting with gigging flounder witha pole spear and working my way up from there. I intend to spear freediving and probably on air too since it is legal here.
ANYWAY I looked at A LOT of low volume masks last weekend. The lady at my LDS got some out for me to look at and she informed me that I need a mask that is small both horizontally and vertically but my face is too big for a youth mask. I also found one pair of freediving fins over in a shop in AL but they were massively way too big. I wear a men's six US. What's up with "freediving wetsuits"? Are they compressed neoprene like the hybrid drysuits? I get cold alarmingly easy so I wear a 7mm or drysuit in any water temp under 70F, sometimes under 75F. I think I will stick with my current suits: 3/2mm full, 5/3mm hood, 7mm full, and dry but I could stand some different fins and a mask although I suspect they don't make a mask any lower volume than my Seta that 1. fits me 2. provides sufficient range of vision for when I am just messing around looking at stuff or spearing. I guess I mean I don't freedive seriously so I don't need a specialized mask and the fit issue is prohibitive. Hmmmmmmmm
SNIP5ata Congrats on the PB.
When doing statics, it takes quite a bit of self discipline to let time be just what it is. Doing static tolerence tables works on that. When doing dry statics, I use my headphones with my computer and use an application that is web based to control how long the session will last - sorta like a personalized cybertrainer I'm not very good at statics, but decided to start doing the tables twice a week in conjunction with my pool sessions. It is making a difference.
As much as most divers poo poo any sort of yoga, doing pranayama yoga on a consistent basis does help with removing the awareness of time ticking by. I have read a book called "The Power Of Now" and it really delves into the psychological aspects of being what the author terms as The Now. No regretting the past, nor dreading the future. Being Present. Having an awareness of that takes some practice, but it does more or less equate to what Umberto's Freediving Manual discusses. When I eventually go for a personal best, I will probably do it dry static with a breathe up. You will find that you hit a sweet spot on the statics before they become more difficult.
As far as gear goes - yeah - get freedive specific gear - it will make all the difference. Some here have stated that freediving fins aren't efficient.. blah blah blah. Well, I know for a fact that freediving isn't scuba and vice-versa. The techniques involved are different and call for different, although similar looking, equipment. The entry fee for gear is minimal compared to scuba so look into that if you can. Gear anxiety is a contributing factor to people not enjoying the past time.
HTH,
08-16-2006 11:43 PM
5ata If it works for ya, cool!
I prefer to use gear that is designed for a given activity - I equate it to using downhill skis to try and cross country ski - you can do it, but not near as well as with actual skinny skis...
08-16-2006 10:32 PM
dumpsterDiver Quote:
Originally Posted by 5ata
Congrats on the PB.
Well, I know for a fact that freediving isn't scuba and vice-versa. The techniques involved are different and call for different, although similar looking, equipment.
HTH,
Oh really? Let's see... I often use the same wetsuit, socks, hood, gloves, weightbelt, knife, mask, fins, snorkel, light and speargun for both SCUBA and freediving. Why would you think they need to be different?
08-15-2006 10:18 AM
holdingmybreath yup.. here, here, 5ata.. I agree. I know what I want on my face and feet at 100'. although it may not be necessary to have the freediving specific gear to freedive with (shoot, I've no finned it to near that depth but don't think I could get there with my good vis, high volume mask) your comparison of freediving/scuba gear to that of cross country vs. downhill is right on.
*Reincarnation**poof**genie noises*
Ok here I am again. I haven't tried stretching my limits since the 25'. This is a good discussion that I find particularly interesting because I do kind of a hybrid thing. I usually freedive when I don't want to SCUBA for whatever reason. Additionally where I am living right now has both coldwater and warmwater environments PLUS sometimes I freediver for the challenge of "hold long and deep can I go?" and sometimes I want to look at stuff or get close to fish without nasty loud bubbles. I'm also trying to get into spearing starting with gigging flounder witha pole spear and working my way up from there. I intend to spear freediving and probably on air too since it is legal here.
ANYWAY I looked at A LOT of low volume masks last weekend. The lady at my LDS got some out for me to look at and she informed me that I need a mask that is small both horizontally and vertically but my face is too big for a youth mask. I also found one pair of freediving fins over in a shop in AL but they were massively way too big. I wear a men's six US. What's up with "freediving wetsuits"? Are they compressed neoprene like the hybrid drysuits? I get cold alarmingly easy so I wear a 7mm or drysuit in any water temp under 70F, sometimes under 75F. I think I will stick with my current suits: 3/2mm full, 5/3mm hood, 7mm full, and dry but I could stand some different fins and a mask although I suspect they don't make a mask any lower volume than my Seta that 1. fits me 2. provides sufficient range of vision for when I am just messing around looking at stuff or spearing. I guess I mean I don't freedive seriously so I don't need a specialized mask and the fit issue is prohibitive. Hmmmmmmmm