Many freedivers become interested in the sport after hearing about competitive freediving, seeing beautiful photos of freedivers enjoying the freedom and beauty of deep, blue water. Some get their inspiration from movies such as The Big Blue or Ocean Men: Extreme Dive. Whatever the inspiration for beginning, some freedivers enjoy the experience so much that they move into the world of competitive freediving. There are many options available for those who want to take their experience to the next level.
Pool Disciplines
There are three pool disciplines available to freedivers. Training and competitions take place in safe pool environments, and they are ideal for those who live in areas where outdoor freediving isn’t possible year-round.
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Static Apnea – Static apnea is a timed breath-holding competition that takes place underwater. Participants do not swim during static apnea competitions.
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Dynamic Apnea – Dynamic apnea is a competition for distance rather than time. Competitors swim as far as possible on a single breath, while wearing fins.
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Dynamic Apnea no Fins – In a dynamic apnea no fins competition, the goal is also distance rather than time. Competitors swim as far as they can on a single breath, but without the additional propulsion power fins provide.
Self-Powered Depth Disciplines
There are three self-powered depth disciplines. Training and competitions typically take place in open water environments that offer as much safety and stability as possible. Many freedivers participate in pool disciplines as well as depth disciplines.
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Free Immersion – In free immersion, one pulls oneself down to depth via the freediving line, then pulls oneself back up the line. No fins are worn.
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Constant Weight / Constant Ballast – In constant weight / constant ballast, no line is used, nor are weights dropped. Fins are worn to kick down to depth and ascend afterward.
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Constant Weight no Fins – In constant weight no fins, the diver kicks down to depth and back up. No line is used, nor are weights dropped. In addition, no fins are worn.
Assisted Depth Disciplines
There are two assisted depth disciplines. Training and competitions typically take place in open water environments that offer as much stability and safety as possible. Many freedivers who participate in assisted depth disciplines also participate in self-powered depth disciplines and pool disciplines.
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Variable Ballast – In variable ballast competitions, freedivers use weights to descend; a sled is often used as well. The weights are left on the bottom and a line is used to ascend. In many cases, the diver uses both kicking and a line to make the ascent.
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No Limits – In no limits freediving competitions, the diver may use any means possible to descend and ascend to the surface. In most cases, a weighted sled is used to rocket the diver to the bottom, and a pulley or lift bag is used to assist the ascent.
Competitive freediving may sound crazy, particularly when you take a look at depth records. The fact is, though, most accidents and fatalities happen in recreational freediving. Safety measures are always in place during competitions; these include counterbalance systems for diver retrieval in the event the diver does not surface when expected, safety freedivers who assist compromised divers to the surface, and scuba divers who help with rescues if necessary. If you are interested in competitive freediving, look into one of the many freediving associations including AIDA, SSI, FII, CMAS, and others that offer training and competition.