I’ve always been fascinated with the ocean. I think my love for the ocean started only recently when I went to El Nido, Palawan in 2014. After seeing the majestic water of El Nido and the beautiful lagoons, I instantly fell in love and thought to myself, “El Nido pa lang to, what more yung sa ibang parts ng Pilipinas?” And that’s when I started to dream of visiting various beaches in the Philippines. I haven’t been to a lot tho, considering I have a regular 8-5 (or later) job and financial constraints (I don’t want to sacrifice my savings for travel—not that kind of person pa); but I’m trying to travel once in a while when my budget and schedule (and companions) allow.
Last February, I went to Cebu with my family and explored the southern part of the province.
Not in the photos was our Kawasan Falls experience; didn’t have pictures pala, only videos during canyoneering (must try!!!) Everything we did was so fun and memorable that I cannot choose which was my favorite. But among all the activities, what left me wondering was my experience in Moalboal.
Moalboal is known as an ideal place for scuba diving, snorkeling and freediving, for it has a great array of marine life. The most popular activity in the island was the sardine run, where you can go swimming with thousands of sardines! It was so cool and beautiful, I almost cried (hindi to OA). I was really astounded by the beauty of the underworld, and I wanted to explore them more! This is when my frustration started. I really wanted to go deeper into the sea, but I always find myself floating after seconds of diving into the water. I was really wondering why I can’t sink in the water for a long time! I got to swim around the island and had a great time, but I don’t think I have maximized the “Moalboal experience.”
Weeks after that trip, I was still hungover of the fact that there’s more to see under the water (and I wasn’t able to do it!!!). That’s when I researched about how to dive and be able to stay under the water longer. Stumbled upon me was the term “FREEDIVING”.
I’ve heard of freediving before but I didn’t really bother to explore about it since I’m contented with just having to swim comfortably in the water; and as long as I have a snorkel with me then I’m good.
When you google it, you will learn that freediving is a form of underwater diving where divers rely on their stored breath without using any equipment to assist your breathing. Fortunately, I had a conversation with Trina, one of my ultimate beshies, and happened to talk about freediving. So then she looked for freediving classes and came across an event offering one, hosted by Apnea PH. We immediately booked a slot scheduled last July, and the rest was history. (charot)
Surprisingly, tho I am pretty comfortable in the water and know how to swim, I had a hard time to learn freediving—particularly in storing my breath. In freediving, you are supposed to breathe thru your mouth and store air in your belly. (We don’t usually do this as we breathe through our nose and store breaths in our chest). This is just one challenge as there are steps you should follow before actually diving into the deep. Also, I’m a coffee lover and I cannot really function (psychological, though) without having my coffee. And ironically, one of the things you should avoid when you freedive is to have caffeine on your system for it increases your heartrate—and the main key in freediving is to remain calm and to relax. (For more information about freediving and its technicalities, click HERE)
It was like the universe conspired to let me learn freediving the hard way (char).
The class lasted for more or less 4hours and I must say, it was BITIN. I really needed more time to let all the information sink in, and for me to practice more. I also realized that me being an overthinker did not help at all! I should really learn how to keep calm, and do not think of anything (HOW CAN THAT BE POSSIBLE?)
Marese Secades, our instructor and AIDA 4 Freediver, even asked me what I was thinking while diving into the water. I was not scared of drowning or that I might cross paths with sharks—which were the two main things people ask me when they knew I tried freediving—instead I was a bit uneasy with the fact that there are many things to consider while you’re going deeper in the ocean (such as equalizing, contractions you would feel as you hold your breath longer, etc). But with more practice and ocean exposure, I know I could eventually overcome all these things (and more) that bother me—PRACTICE LANG TALAGA. But I also wondered, “Ako lang ba nahihirapan or sila rin? Baka di lang ako magaling?” #insecurities LELZ
Please watch the video by Marese during our class (click HERE)! She holds classes during Saturdays and Sundays, 2 batches each, with only 4 students per batch. I’d suggest you book the morning class so you can still practice more in the afternoon. Check out her page on Facebook for more information.
Having said all my experiences and what-nots on freediving, I must say it has been officially added to my list of frustrations in life!! (other frustrations are singing, dancing, acquiring at least one skill/talent, cooking, surfing, photography; HAY LIFE)
Anyway, I’m not allowed to swim for at least 3 months since I recently had lasik surgery (more of this on next post), and I can’t wait to go back to the sea again and practice! Hope this post inspired you to try freediving too! Even though a bit challenging for me, it was really a wonderful experience!
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