I’m learning how to sink!
Thats right ladies and gents i’m learning how to sink and what makes it even more strange is i’m actually paying to do this! Okay, let me explain…
I’m and Advanced Open water SCUBA diver and as you’ve seen from the swimming i feel very comfortable in the water. Although i haven’t been diving for a couple of years anywhere hot, when i do typically i also snorkel. Whenever i did snorkel i always used to enjoy ducking under the water every time i saw i fish i wanted to swim with or some coral i wanted to see. The more i swam underwater, the more i enjoyed doing it and this is why i’ve enrolled myself on a Freediving course. This is essentially swimming underwater in a way that conserves your energy and allows you to spend more time underwater. There are a few varients on this that vary on using weights and / or fins but essentially the theory is still the same – relax and make the most of the air you have ( at least as i understand it at the moment ).
Fortunately i don’t have to go to any great lengths to try this out and in fact at the end of may i’m making my way over to Portsmouth to make use of their Submarine Escape Training Facility ( SETT ) as part of a Freediving Course. The tank in question is 30 meters deep and as you can see from these two videos ( #1 & #2 ) the technique seems to basically get to the point where you sink so that you don’t have to swim down. I’m sure thats a very simplistic approach for now but needless to say i’m looking forward to finding out more and seeing for myself. Although it would be nice to say that i managed to get down to the 30 meters after a weekend based on how i enjoy what i do now, and what i’ve read in articles, i’m really looking forward to giving this a go.