Freediving Instruction in Cebu

Freediving instructor Wolfgang

White Beach - Moalboal - Cebu - Philippines

I met with freediving instructor Wolfgang Dafert, at  Club Serena at White Beach to get some information about diving. He seems like a first class operator with a lot of experience and has a passion about freediving that is energizing.

The whole concept of going down and looking around at 20 meters on one breath is exciting and I wanted to learn more about it. (Plus I like the look of those really big fins!)

Here Wolfgang displays a monofin, but most freedivers and students use two super long flexible fins.

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As a snorkeler, I never ventured below 10 meters (using my dive computer) because it isn’t all that safe to dive deeper if you don’t know what you are doing.

Freediving seems to be an art form that requires not only physical but mental training. The human body can do amazing things with proper conditioning.

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Note the line being used to descend and ascend. Usually the very long slender fins are used but some use a monofin.

Freediving link

www.freediving-philippines.com

youtube link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkkhCi8aWck

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The big thing to be aware of  when freediving is what’s called “shallow water blackout”.  That can be a result of hyperventilating before going down.

Your body doesn’t have the CO2 build up to make you realize that it is crying out for oxygen as you ascend.  The result is that you gently pass out without warning and drown unless you have a spotter to rescue you.

There is a more professional explanation if you get into this more seriously - I just wanted people to be aware of the phenomonen,  because even pros can have a problem with this. It is very subtle and happens without warning.

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I am hoping that Wolgang explains it better later in some info he plans to send me. He does freediving instruction out of the dive shop at the Club Serena but he also teaches scuba.

White Beach is about 4 kilometers up the coast from Panagsama where most of the dive shops are bunched together. The whole area is commonly refered to as Moalboal but Moalboal is actually the town on the National Highway where the bus lets passengers off.

The satellite map at the right shows the shape of the area. White beach is towards the top, Panagsama in the middle and Tongo Point (my favorite) is at the bottom of the map to the south.

I have done quite a bit of snorkeling in the area and use a small motorbike to get to around. Without transport you generally become dependent on the dive shop or local tricycle drivers to get you around.

Snorkeling can be done in front of the resorts in Panagsama but the dive shops restrict access as much as possible because snorkelers aren’t the cash cows that scuba divers are.

A notable exception is Mollys, with it’s great access for the public. Another good entry point is across from Eve’s, just follow the road. Other than these two you will have look for the narrow alley ways that lead to the sea- these are public easements

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IMPORTANT - DO NOT DO BREATH HOLDING ATTEMPTS OR PRACTICES IN THE WATER WITHOUT PROPER TRAINING AND A SPOTTER. YOU CAN GET KILLED.

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Club Serena on White Beach - This upscale resort is on a secluded  white sandy beach about 4 kilometers from the main cluster of dive shops crunched together on Panagsama “Beach” (the sand there got washed away during a typhoon years ago and never returned).

The beach here is peaceful and secluded.

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Club Serena is not geared towards the budget or backpacker crowd but it looks like a great place to stay if you have the money. There are 8 rentals available and the restaurant looks very nice.

If you are interested in freediving, contact Wolfgang at White Beach or send him an email.

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The restaurant looks first class!

This resort is a bit out of my price range but it is very welcoming. Comments from readers will be appreciated.

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If you get instruction - how about making a readers comment so others will know what to expect?