Dive into Freediving
Have you ever wanted to try the freedom and excitement of freediving, but weren’t sure how to get started? AIDA Freediving instructor, Sara-Lise Haith has teamed up with Al Boom Diving to offer AIDA Freediving courses.
“The demand for freediving education has grown tremendously in the last year, and I wanted to be able to offer the courses regularly, with the backing of a like-minded business. That’s where Al Boom Diving came in to offer the regulatory requirements, insurances and not to mention great resort locations for the courses. Freediving is the next hottest thing in your diving log-book… “ said Sara-Lise.
“Prominent events like the annual Fazza3 Freediving Championship have increased awareness of the sport, and I am happy to say that within a week, my first scheduled course was sold out immediately.”
70 year old free diver Aharon Solomons famously quoted: “We have long ago surpassed the limits attainable by purely physical excellence and are now venturing into the terra incognita of our mental potential”. Freediving is for everyone and anyone who enjoys being in the ocean and wants the freedom of no scuba tanks. It is a mental game, great exercise and a fantastic way of keeping fit and relaxing. It is a lifestyle second to none requiring just a mask, fins, and snorkel and the silent world of the colourful reefs are within reach of a few fin kicks, with no noisy bubbles...
The most popular and widely recognised training body for free diving at a recreational level is AIDA, which is the International Association for the Development of Apnea. Apnea comes from the Greek word apnoea which means “without”. It is simply the voluntary temporary cessation of breathing or breath holding, that gets longer with regular apnea training, healthy lifestyle and moreover the ability to relax.
Training starts with the AIDA One-Star and Two-Star courses, working up to instructor level. The starting certification for divers who have never freedived and do not have much snorkeling experience is the AIDA One Star Course, which covers the basics of theory, and a pool or confined water session. It gives the student an experience of Pool and Open water Freediving and does not have any depth or time performance requirements. Students who are already comfortable in the water and have done some Freediving can start with the AIDA Two-Star course. The Two-Star course is a two to three day course (depending on diver ability and ocean conditions) and includes theory, pool work and open ocean freedives.
The AIDA two-star course will be run monthly at Al Boom Diving, under Sara-Lise’s supervision and training. Theory and pool work can be done at the dive centre on Al Wasl Road, with the ocean dives done from Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah, and in the near future from the dive centre at Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa. The all inclusive cost of the course is 2,430 Dhs (including materials, DAN insurance and the day trip to Al Aqah).
Email abdiving@emirates.net.ae for more information or to book your place.