I’ve been spear-fishing for about 20 years, maybe a few more. I can hunt around 40′ deep and hold my breath for about a minute and a half, nothing special. I always manage some food (fish/lobster) unless I’m being lazy and just don’t want to clean smaller fish, the big fish lay deep. However put me in the water for 1/2 hour and I can always come home with a meal.
Well I’ve made a new friend who has pushed me into apnea training and getting me to the next level of my free-diving. I’m training a couple times a day. There is a really good app on the App Store for apnea training (apnea trainer), and I do my breathing exercises in the morning and in the evening for about 20 minutes each time. In just a week I’ve increased my breath hold to 2:30 (on land) and I’m hoping to be around 4 minutes in a few months of training.
This is my gift to myself for my 50th birthday next July. I want to take my free-diving and spear-fishing to the next level!
Free-diving and spear-fishing isn’t a sport to me, it’s my spiritual connection to the world around me. The reef is my church and when I’m hunting upon it everything in my world makes sense. Life is simple, I am a hunter, nothing more. I’m not so fond of the label “God” as it seems to bring out the worst in people, but when I’m free-diving I’m as close to my spirituality (peace) as I can be.
By my 50th birthday it’s my goal to be hunting at 75′-95′ deep and shooting the big fish! The world record is a 320′ free-dive (swimming with no fins, and not on a sled). Many pro free-divers and spear-fisherman easily work 100’+.
Apnea training is very similar to belly-breathing and many forms of yoga breathing. The goal is to strengthen the diaphragm so you take in more life-giving oxygen throughout the day. I’m also finding it incredibly beneficial to my asthma symptoms, big plus!
In apnea training one needs to train themselves to get away from the mental reflex of feeling the need to breathe and taking control of that reflex. Believe it or not the longest breath hold is 22 minutes, crazy!
Have you heard of the mammalian dive reflex? It’s a natural reflex that all mammals have in order to spend long periods of time under water. Some mammals like whales, seals, and dolphins are masters at this but humans have it as well. Once initiated your body optimizes respiration and heartbeat in order to spend long periods in an oxygen deprived environment (under water). There was actually a case where a 21 month old child drowned in cold water and had no heart beat for 50 minutes. He was revived to a full recovery.
One of the things I’m finding is that controlling my breathing is like a drug. It brings an incredible sense of peace and well-being and I’m addicted to it. I’m also transitioning into yoga breathing which has many forms. If you’re looking for a sure-fire method to combat stress in a drug-free way I strongly suggest you research yoga breathing. IT REALLY DOES WORK!
I went spear fishing the other day and shot a blue runner and a small tuna. On one of my dives I found that I had forgot about my breath-hold and was just exploring an underwater cave looking for fish. When I popped my head out of the cave to look up I was grinning from ear to ear. I was about 60′ deep, maybe a bit more, and in total peace.
My buddy gave me a broken free-diving watch for some help on his engine. It doesn’t tell the time as one of the buttons doesn’t work but, as soon as you submerge it, it goes into dive mode and records depth and bottom time. I can’t wait to play with it.
I must say I think I’m the happiest, and luckiest man alive. I have freedom, love, and health. My life’s journey is forever growing and bringing me closer to whatever it has in store for me.
As I sit in my hammock on the foredeck writing this blog, the morning sun is shining on my face and it’s raining hard. The blue runners are herding the small fish against my hull for their morning breakfast, stirring the water, and splashing about. I’ve shot them in the past without even getting wet. The pelicans are dive-bombing all around Splendid and life is forever expanding. The beauty of this world really does bring tears to my eyes, life is just so beautiful! How could anyone waste their time watching the news or concerning themselves with anything but the pursuit of love?
Don’t forget how very precious your dreams are. Forge them into reality at all cost!
Peace.
Sail far and live slowly.
-alex
Hi Alex – Another great blog post. Like I said in my email, I’ve not been really into apnea training lately, but I am with you on using those breathing techniques to relieve stress. It really does work. That’s a great goal for your 50th birthday – good luck! Unfortunately I am not on the ocean yet like you. However, I fell in love with the ocean as a kid and had my first chance to snorkel a reef in Hawaii during my senior year of high school. I was hooked. In the last couple of years I have been lucky enough to have a couple trips to Mexico and also Roatan Honduras. Wow, snorkeling the reef off Roatan was magical. Tons of fish, squid, barracuda, puffer, etc. Whenever I take a trip like that I feel like I am coming home instead of going on vacation. Hoping to get there some day like you. For now it is fun watching my kids become closer to adults and getting them hooked as well. I am really happy for you Alex. You deserve your dreams and all the love. You are a great motivator and inspiration for me, and for many others I am sure.
Peace to you and Carla!
Jason, it really does relieve stress! I’m building a website specifically for spear-fishing charters. On most of my charters I’m teaching people how to sail and how to live minimal on the sea.
Maybe I could attract some free-divers and spear fisherman that could teach me a thing or two?
Cheers
ME VERY SLEEPY!