Thread: Beginners guide to freediving/snorkeling

right weve had some time in the water ...

lets look at getting better at what we are doing.

Bottom time ...We all want to increase our bottom times and depths we can achive, you can do this with more specfic freediving gear that is low volume masks, long fins, wetsuits.

but as well as these there is a huge amount that we can do for ourselves, freediving and alot of breath holding is techniec and mental state (no you don't have to be nuts), but it goes like this for me ...

1 relax clear my mind and concentrate on my breathing.

2 try to lower your heart rate by concentrating on it Ie slow down calm relax.

3 target your rock or crack were your heading for so your not thinking about holding your breath. your concentrating on a goal or target ( you will be very supprised how well this works)

4 go with the flow ... do not fight nature go with it don't fight the kelp ,dont fight the sugre you only wear yourself out.

5 use the surge to help you.. ie when launching what kneel down on the beach / rock wait for the wave to roll past you and as it sucks out go with it and it fin out through the surge/ next wave.

6 when returning to shore do the same these can be very dangerous times so if you have a spotter on shore to grab gear use them( tell them if they have to get wet they bloody well better), when coming into the shore be paitent wait for a small set of waves or a lul between between set so you dont get smashed by a big wave when you floundering in the surf.

7 don't muck about in the surf get in or get out this is a dangerous place where you are unbalanced and uncordinated with fins weight belts etc.

8 relax and enjoy yourself you will be suprised after even 30 mions of diving how much better you get

9 once again if you start to get tierd this is the time to exit the water tired = cramp, fatigue and shitty descions and these can get you into the shit fast!!..refuel regroup you will enjoy your self alot more when you are fresh (hope this makes sense)

10 do some stretchs and warm ups and warm downs (not downing a cold beer, well maybe after) these will benifit you diving beyond your best expectations.

rules and regs..
Maf ain't the enemy they'r the blokes and ladies keeping poaching mongerals from F*#King wrecking our precious resource. So take their inspections as you do breath testing.

Know the regs for the area you are going to dive,
NOW this is important YOU MUST MEASURE YOUR CATCH IN THE WATER ...NOT GRAB A SACK FULL HAUL OUT ON THE BEACH AND START MEASURING THEM THERE.. Maf consider these as landed fish,

If in doubt ring the loacl maf office!!

When starting out target the biggest paua / cray in a mob this will help you get your eye in so you will soon be able to pick whats a legal and whats not and saves alot of measuring undersize stuff (rember the water has a 25% magnafictaion) which is very imortant when spearfishing as it's a waste to spear un undersize butter or moki and have to chuck it back dead.

Don't spear shit fish for shits and giggles to you it's a shit fish to me it's sealife i enjoy seeing.

Don't annoy stingrays, congers ,occies , seals "just live and let live" , they are most likely afraid of you and will defend themselves..."trust me on this!!"

that will have to do for now so much more going round in my head ... my best advise it get out and try it ..practice pratice practice search out free diving web sights and pick through their ideas..

most importantly keep safe , don't push to hard you will get better and sometimes it's not about slaying everything but seing some bloody cool shit & rember there will always be a cray at the back of a hole you cannot reach but there will always be a cray just around the corner.

will do a part three hints and tips (please add your own)

Go well everyone Joe.