Courses


Apnea

The term apnea comes from the Greek a-pnoia and the definition is, a voluntary or involuntary suspension of breathing. Apnea was used by coastal populations because of their need of getting resources from the seabed. Since ancient times, between 10,000 B.C and 7,000 B.C, several traces were found of these gatherer activities, from harvesting shellfish, shells and animals both for food and others. In some cultures is evident the use of breath hold diving, from Greek sponges fishermen, Polynesian pearl fishermen to the Japanese divers "Ama" and Korean "Haenyo". Some of these cultures are still existing today. 

In this kind of diving there isn`t any breathing equipment. The use of apnea, evolved into various sports and activities such Freediving. When practiced in a recreational way, are performed dives at sea with the necessary equipment to view or photograph the marine flora and fauna, when practiced as a sport it requires a training program, which is applied in the swimming pool, the sea or even " dry".
If you are a surfer and want to learn more about breath hold skills we develop a special course for wave sports like Surf, Bodyboard, Bodysurf, Kitesurf and others.

For whom?

Breath hold diving / training can be used by everybody.  Breath hold is used in many sports but can also be practiced in a recreational way. Several sports and activities use it as a tool, such as, Freediving, spearfishing, underwater hockey, rugby and even for waves sports like Surf, Bodyboard, and many others. Breath hold is not only used as a tool for sports but is also used as a physical and mental relaxation method.

Safety

In the last years safety is a topic that has been debated and which deserves our full attention. Knowledge and awareness on this matter has increased and in this way we can avoid and manage complicated situations. Starting or perform an activity involving breath hold should`t be practiced alone. Not having enough knowledge and information could lead to accidents, so in our courses and activities we emphasize this theme, based on the theory and applied in practice.

Can I improve my breath hold time?

Most people think it is impossible to achieve more than a few seconds in apnea but leading people to achieve at least 2 minutes is a challenge that we accept regularly and with success. With proper breathing techniques and relaxation, people surprise themselves by what they can achieve either in time, distance or depth.

Where can I learn?

In SPOT Freedive you can find several breath hold courses. You can start and develop your freediving skills and knowledge from beginner level and achieve the deep freediver level and if you want to work as an freediving instructor you can also apply for international instructor course with us.