Freediving: a dive into it's history and evolution

Freediving, or breath-hold diving, despite its historical roots, has only recently begun to gain widespread recognition and prevalence. This unique activity, which began as a way of hunting and gathering off the coasts, has evolved into a genuine sport and lifestyle, showcasing the incredible physical and mental capabilities of human beings.

In the age of Great Geographical Discoveries, maritime nations began to grow and compete, leading to an increase in trade and a surge in the number of ships at sea's bottom. During this period, a need arose for prolonged dives to rescue valuable cargo, which in turn led to the invention of the diving bell. It was then that freediving received a distinct differentiation from equipment diving.

The evolution of freediving as a sport began in 1949 when Italian Raimondo Bucher dove to a depth of 30 meters, holding his breath. This record was beaten in 1953 by Ennio Falco and Alberto Novelli, who managed to dive to 40 meters. But a real breakthrough occurred in 1960 when a rivalry flared up between Amerigo Santarelli from Brazil and Italian Enzo Maiorca. Maiorca won, diving to 49 meters, and then in 1966, he set a new record, reaching a mark of 54 meters. However, his record was beaten by Jacques Mayol, who became a freediving icon, diving to a depth of 100 meters in 1976 and later reaching an impressive 105 meters in 1983.

Since freediving became widely prevalent, it continues to evolve and improve. Modern freedivers learn relaxation and mental control techniques to increase breath-holding time and enhance their performance. Nowadays, freediving training is accessible not only to professional athletes but also to enthusiasts of active recreation and adventure. There are various disciplines of freediving, including depth diving with fins and without, depth diving with variable weight, and static and dynamic apnea among other disciplines. These disciplines allow freedivers to set and achieve various goals, from improving their physical shape to setting new world records.

Freediving is not only a sport and entertainment, but it is also a culture that unites people who value freedom, nature, and the pursuit of self-improvement. This is also includes educational programs and courses. It offers a unique opportunity to come face to face with one's fears, overcome them, and discover new horizons. Whether it's diving into the deep waters of the ocean or exploring one's inner world, freediving is a journey that everyone can make in their own way. Whether you are a professional freediver or just an enthusiast of adventure, it is important to remember about safety and respect for nature, which should always be at the heart of this fascinating journey.

04.06.2023