Monarch Freediving club is the only freediving club in the Brighton and Hove area, and we welcome anyone that has a love for the water.

So what is freediving?

Freediving , or apnea, is a rapidly growing sport or recreation which can be classified as many things. Basically it means to be “without breath”. This may mean that you snorkel in shallow water and occasionally dive to the bottom to get closer with marine life, or you could be competing and trying to beat your previous best depth, distance or time.

What will I get out of it?

Many freedivers begin to wax lyrical about “feeling the love” of the sea, or being in the “zone”. I suppose it may best be compared to surfing when talking about emotions or feelings. Freediving relaxes you. Rather than having a struggle to reach the top with lungs bursting and legs kicking frantically, freedivers move slowly and with deliberate movement.

A sense of freedom, confidence, and of course fun are the main reasons I freedive!

So you have to be super-fit right?

Well, it helps to be fit in any kind of activity, but this is not a precursor to taking part in freediving. All sizes, ages and shapes take part and enjoy freediving. The sport has strong links to yoga, as much of the sport is mental rather than physical in its demands.

What age groups can do it?

Any age! To get certified by AIDA (Association for the International Development of Apnea), you have to be 16 with written parental consent, although any age is welcome to come along and train with us.

What is recreational freediving?

Recreational freediving is a way to enjoy the ocean or lake without the cumbersome (and expensive!) gear associated with SCUBA diving. Free of all the equipment, you are able to dive many metres down and stay submerged for minutes at a time. Your movements will be graceful, and as there are no loud bubbles to disturb marine life, your interaction with them will be that bit more special.

How do I get into competitive freediving?

You come along to Monarch Freediving Club, and talk to me! There are many competitions held all over the world, with many within easy reach here in Europe. In the UK there is the depth diving competition called “Double Dip” http://www.geocities.com/samdive/dreamweaversaltfree/doubledip08.htm as well as pool based competitions in the making.

All competitions are fun, giving you the opportunity to gain new skills and meet fellow freedivers. The beauty is that you may find yourself rubbing shoulders with novices as well as world record holders!

You learn to slow your heart, don’t you?

Aah! This is the best bit! Freedivers are magical people who have this “special” power to control the speed of their heartbeat, just like in the movie The Big Blue...Well actually it is even better than that as it all just happens naturally. The mammalian diving reflex is common to all mammals and is a relic of our watery beginnings. When the face of a mammal is immersed in water it naturally causes its heart to slow, therefore preserving oxygen use and the build up of carbon dioxide. This allows us to dive for longer than we would otherwise be able.

Can you freedive alone?

No. Never freedive alone or take part in any water based activity where you hold your breath alone.