Freediving Training in Korea: Overcoming Water Fear, Improving Breathing Techniques, and Building Confidence with VONFREEDIVE

Sep 13

3 min read

Hello! This is Leo from VONFREEDIVE, greeting you! As the scorching summer slowly fades, a cool breeze starts to blow in the mornings and evenings. While the midday sun still feels hot, there’s a pleasant chill in the air during the morning and evening. Autumn is the perfect season to prepare for new beginnings. It’s an ideal time to gather your thoughts and body, and take on new challenges this fall.

In this session, VONFREEDIVE collaborated with Culcom to conduct a freediving training program.

Culcom is a community that supports learning various languages, including English, and is well-known for offering language exchange and cultural exchange programs. Through these programs, participants not only learn foreign languages but also have the opportunity to experience and interact with different cultures.

This collaboration combined Culcom’s language and cultural exchange programs with the unique activity of freediving, giving participants the chance to experience freedom underwater and embark on new challenges. Together, both organizations provided an invaluable time where participants could overcome their fear of water and experience both physical and mental growth.

Culcom http://culcom.co.kr/

For inquiries: +82-010-2662-5181

JOON.B

The entire course was conducted in English, covering a basic introduction to freediving, breathing techniques, equalization methods, and the use of freediving equipment.

Participants learned the fundamentals of freediving through theory and practice, focusing on water safety and efficient breathing techniques. Before entering the pool after completing the basic training, we took a quick photo!

Many participants hesitate to start freediving due to aquaphobia or because they cannot swim. Therefore, the first training session focuses on an introductory dive to allow participants to check whether this activity is right for them. The goal of this session was to help participants overcome their fear and feel comfortable in the water. We emphasized boosting confidence through an introductory dive and sparking interest in freediving.

Practicing the breathing techniques learned during the theory session.

During breath-holding, my only goal is to clear everything from my mind. It's a process of releasing any lingering tension from the body and erasing the numbers that represent time in my head. Repeating this process allows you to experience a deep sense of calm, much like reaching a meditative state. By focusing solely on your breathing and yourself in the water, all worries and tension disappear, leading to a sense of inner peace.

Our students quickly adapted to the water!

After finishing the breathing session, we moved on to equalization training!

At first, equalization may feel frustrating, as it doesn’t come easily. However, with consistent practice, both your body and mind begin to relax, bringing a sense of comfort. This process is not just about acquiring a skill; it’s about gaining a deep understanding and control of your breathing and bodily responses. Over time, equalization starts to feel natural, and as the tension in the water decreases, the freedom of diving becomes a reality.

At first, the fear of depth, especially at 5 meters, may feel overwhelming. As soon as you step into the water, the depth can trigger tension in your body. However, as time passes, the fear gradually disappears, and a sense of freedom emerges. It's no longer about fearing the depth, but rather about embracing the tranquility of the water and the liberation of moving freely in your own space.

Feeling relaxed!

Equalization is a skill that requires a lot of practice. On the first day, it often doesn’t work well, but this is a normal part of the learning process. With consistent practice and proper coaching and feedback, anyone can master equalization. The key is to keep trying. As the saying goes, "Mileage never betrays," and continued effort always leads to good results.After practicing equalization, we had a little extra time for duck dive practice as well.

By the end of the training, participants were moving more confidently in the water. Initially, they were tense and cautious, but by the end, everyone was able to control their breathing and dive comfortably in the water.

Freediving is more than just an activity; it's a sport that helps you understand yourself more deeply through the process of calming the mind and uniting with the body. I hope that everyone gained a new perspective on freediving through this training, and I encourage you all to continue challenging and growing.

If you have any questions about freediving or would like more information, feel free to contact us. We look forward to supporting you on your journey of challenge and growth.