Mastering Freediving: The Importance of Consistent Training and Condition Management

Sep 27

3 min read

Hello! This is Leo, an instructor from VONFREEDIVE, greeting you!

With the start of autumn, cool breezes have begun to blow in the mornings and evenings. It really feels like the long summer is finally coming to an end. (For me, it felt like an unbelievably long summer 😂).

The clouds have been so beautiful lately.

However, in the afternoons, the warm sunshine still lingers, leaving traces of the last days of summer. Autumn, where cool breezes and warm sunshine coexist, presents a great opportunity for new challenges.

Cool weather enhances concentration and creates the perfect environment for training. As we welcome this delightful season, we plan to focus even more on our freediving training together.

Today, I had the pleasure of training with two members.

One of them is at the final stage, just a depth test remaining for the AIDA2 open water session.

Calmly, she checked her equalization using FIM.

she had a tough time with the Frenzel technique but finally got the hang of it and started descending smoothly.

Here’s a video of their emotional CWT at 16 meters.

Congratulations!

The other member is a veteran diver who joined for continued depth training.

He descended with stable finning and line orientation.

In CWT, He demonstrated his skills and composure, showing his experience as a veteran diver.

DIVE1: Warm-up - 25m 2:34

Like last time, I conducted my warm-up in a very relaxed manner. I didn’t set a specific depth or time and focused solely on my physical condition and relaxation. I slowly relaxed my body and started descending, and at some point, I felt a smooth gliding sensation.

The surroundings began to darken, and rather than focusing on the numbers displayed on my dive computer, I tried to feel the changes in my body. When I reached a certain sensation, I instinctively grabbed the descent line and stopped to do a hang.

I felt contractions earlier and stronger than last time. It seemed like my condition wasn’t great today. But I kept reminding myself, "The mind controls the body," and tried to stay focused.

How much time has passed? How deep have I descended? (I proceeded with a nose clip on and my eyes closed.) 'No, let’s empty the mind and focus only on my body.' And then, I slowly began my ascent.

DIVE2: FIM - 36m 1:54 (hang for 10 seconds)

DIVE3: CWTB - 36m 1:25

DIVE4: CWTB - 36m 1:10

No special observations.

Deep Tank - Out

DIVE5~11: CNF - 16m

September 10th

September 25th

Recently, when I go to the pool, I’ve been focusing on practicing DNF (Dynamic No Fins) techniques. I evaluate my practice results by counting the number of strokes it takes to ascend 16m, checking my arm strokes and kick technique.

In the video from September 10th on the left, I used 8 strokes to ascend, while in the video on the right from September 25th, I only needed 5.5 strokes. It was a moment where the DNF training at the pool really paid off.

Freediving teaches us that consistency is key.

The goal may be to dive deeper and stay underwater longer, but this doesn’t happen overnight. Progress comes from consistent, steady training, which is the core of skill improvement.

Freediving, in particular, is a sport that requires harmony between the body and water, so balancing the body and mind is essential. Some days you can push further, and other days you need to step back and take it slow. The most important thing is to keep training consistently without giving up. Over time, this steady training will allow you to explore the deeper, more beautiful parts of the ocean freely. The freedom and serenity felt underwater, and the sense of accomplishment from challenges, are the rewards for all your hard work.

However, one aspect that is often overlooked during training is condition management.

Sometimes we are so eager to push further that we ignore how our body feels. But neglecting these signs can lead to injury, and in turn, negatively impact our progress.

It is crucial to manage both physical and mental fatigue appropriately and take enough rest when necessary. When your body and mind are in their best condition, you will achieve even better results. Therefore, balancing training and rest is a critical factor for success in freediving.

Freediving is a journey that strengthens both your body and mind. It’s a long process that doesn’t happen overnight, but through consistency and perseverance, we grow bit by bit. In this training session, I was able to experience another step forward with the members.

By keeping in mind the importance of consistency and self-care, and continuing with training, you will eventually improve your skills.

This autumn, why not experience another level of growth through freediving?