Anyone who thinks that the sky is the limit has never dived into the deep blues of the endless sea. It’s a whole other world down there, a whole new adventure to experience, a lot more things to take in and realize that we, humans, are just a drop in the ocean and basically nothing when lost in its vast depths. No wonder why so many Aussies are engaging in the amazing hobby of freediving – the mere thought of “getting lost” in the beauty of the ocean surrounded by all kinds of species is an exhilarating experience of its own.
Being frequently mixed up with scuba diving, freediving is a lot more different and sort to say more liberating than scuba diving in many aspects. Literally liberating as for it you need way less equipment, thus, you’ll spend less money on purchases and less time preparing to dive in. Quite convenient, isn’t it? Now for the sake of your well being and guaranteed good time in the deep blues, here is a list of the pieces that are listed as the necessary freediving gear in Australia.
Mask
Since there is a bewildering array of mask choices on the market, the smartest thing to do is do a thorough research on the kind of mask that would suit your face shape best. It’s always best to have two of them in case you lose one. Look for a mask that has low volume inside it as this means less air from your lungs will be required to equalize. Also, look for clear lenses so that you can see clearly as well as so that the buddy you’re freediving with can see your eyes and know your condition during the last part of the dive. Other things to bear in mind mask-related, are the proper size of the nose pocket and the fact that the mask needs to be comfortable and to form a good seal around your face.
Snorkel
Although there are many types of snorkels with a variety of fancy features to choose from the freediving gear in Austalia, snorkels need to be as simple as possible for the sake of ease of use and hydrodynamics underwater. Therefore, look for a simple, straight or a bit curved bore (the pipe that sticks up out the water), a soft silicone mouthpiece comfortable enough that you won’t feel it in your mouth, and for means of attaching it to your flotation device or mask.
Fins
These can be actually regarded as your motor as fins are one of the most important parts of the freediving equipment. You can choose between monofins and bifins. Monofins are best for depth and distance freediving and if you opt for these, know that your both feet will be inserted into one fishtail-like fin. Bifins on the other hand, are best for teaching, buddying and recreational diving and they are similar to what you may have known as “flippers” as a child. Both can be made out of different materials, the most durable, and consequently most expensive, one being carbon fiber. They also vary in their stiffness, which means, they can suit different physique types and different types of freediving.
