Freediving is not just a sport. It’s a way to slow down, calm yourself, and escape the noise of the world for a moment. Instead of talking, you learn to listen to your own body. Instead of machines and gear, all you need is your breath and a calm mind. That’s where its beauty lies. Nevertheless, you simply can’t do without some basic equipment. It’s not about having the most expensive gear, but choosing equipment that fits you and supports you in the water rather than restricting you.
Mask: An Eye into the Underwater World
One of the first and most important pieces of equipment is the mask. At first glance, it seems trivial – after all, everyone who has ever snorkeled has a mask. But a freediving mask is a bit different. It’s smaller, has a lower internal volume, and therefore doesn’t burden your breathing as much. The deeper you dive, the more pressure acts on the mask. And you have to equalize this pressure with air from your lungs. When a mask has too large a volume, you use up unnecessarily too much air that you’d rather save for the dive itself.
It’s important that the mask seals well. It shouldn’t press on you, and at the same time, it must not leak anywhere. Soft silicone that adheres well to your face is ideal. Although some masks look quite minimalistic, you might be surprised at how well you can see through them. Here, less is often more.
Snorkel: Simplicity is Key
With the snorkel, it’s actually simple. The simpler, the better. In freediving, you don’t need any complex valves or exhaust chambers. On the contrary – these features are often more of a hindrance. Freedivers prefer an ordinary, straight snorkel without moving parts, which is reliable and unobtrusive.
You use the snorkel mainly on the surface when resting between dives. It doesn’t have to be anything special, it should just be comfortable in your mouth and stay securely with the mask. Some freedivers even discard it during the dive itself or leave it on the buoy – so nothing disturbs them.
Fins: When You Want to Go Deep, You Need Strength
Fins are literally the engine of the entire body underwater. Freediving uses specific ones – long, narrow, and flexible. It’s precisely this length and flexibility that ensures you get the maximum out of every kick. Short or stiff fins will more likely slow you down and tire you out in the water.
When choosing, it depends a lot on how accustomed you are to using your legs. Beginners often choose softer fins, which don’t strain the muscles as much and help with technique. Harder fins come into play later, when you already have greater strength and better style. The shape of the foot pocket is also important – the fin should fit comfortably but firmly so it doesn’t slip off or press on you in the water.
Some start with cheaper plastic fins, others invest right away in fiberglass or carbon ones. Here, it depends a lot on budget and ambitions. But whatever material you choose, the main thing is that the fins fit you and that you feel good in them.
Wetsuit: Silence Under the Surface is Beautiful, but Water Takes Heat
The wetsuit is a chapter in itself. Even in warm seas, you’ll start to feel cold after a while without movement. And because in freediving you often just float under the surface or slowly descend, the body doesn’t warm up much. That’s why a quality wetsuit is a huge helper.
Thickness is important – in the tropics, three millimeters is often enough, in colder waters, five. But it’s not just about warmth. The wetsuit also protects against scratches, jellyfish, and gives a sense of security. Freediving wetsuits are often two-piece – pants with a high waist and a jacket with a hood – and often have a so-called open-cell interior, which adheres better to the skin and retains heat. You just need to put it on with the help of a lubricant, otherwise, you simply won’t get into it.
Weight Belt: Neutral Buoyancy is Essential
Once you put on a wetsuit, you’ll find that it makes you buoyant. That’s fine for snorkeling, but in freediving, you need to get below the surface – and ideally without unnecessary effort. That’s what the weight belt and lead weights are for.
The belt should be made of rubber, not textile. Rubber adapts to the movement of the body – it doesn’t stretch or contract depending on how you breathe. Thanks to this, it’s comfortable and doesn’t restrict you even during a deep breath.
How much weight to take? That depends on how much you weigh, what wetsuit you have, and how salty the water is in which you’re diving. You need to experiment a bit, ideally under the supervision of a more experienced freediver. The goal is to achieve so-called neutral buoyancy – a state where, around a certain depth, you stop floating or sinking spontaneously.
Computer: A Smart Helper When You Want More
A freediving computer is not necessary for absolute beginners. But if you want to progress further, track your dives, improve your technique, and monitor your rest between dives, it’s definitely useful. Computers measure depth, time spent underwater, intervals between dives, and often other useful data as well.
Many freedivers today can’t imagine training without a computer. Besides practical data, it also helps with safety – such as setting notifications for time or depth when it’s time to start returning. The selection mainly depends on budget and preferences. Whether you go for a basic model or a multifunctional device, it’s important that it’s readable and reliable.
Little Things You’ll Appreciate
Freediving also includes a few smaller accessories that, while not absolutely essential, can make every dive more pleasant. Neoprene socks or gloves help maintain warmth when the water is cooler. A transport bag for fins makes your life easier because a regular backpack is usually not enough. And you’ll appreciate lubricant for your wetsuit once you try to get into an open-cell suit without it for the first time.
Conclusion
You don’t have to buy everything at once. And certainly not the most expensive items. But what you choose should work well, fit your body and diving style. Well-chosen equipment will allow you to focus on what’s most important in freediving – on breath, on calm, on connecting with the water.
If you don’t know where to start, contact us. Freediving is not just our product range – it’s something we ourselves love and do. We’ll be happy to help you choose equipment that will open the way to deeper experiences.