An alternative way to explore the underwater world up close, without the need for cumbersome dive tanks, weights and BCDs is available in Grand Cayman. Three Dive Tech instructors recently have been certified to teach the first SSI Free Diving Level 1 certification course.
“Free diving opens up the marine world in a different way,” said Emma Nicholsby, one of the free diving instructors. “It takes you back to the original way of enjoying the underwater world. It lets you just enjoy the silence and the marine life.”
Free divers learn to hold their breath for extended periods of time, while swimming at depths recreational scuba divers explore.
Although Dive Tech did previously offer an IANTD free diving course, their instructor left the island almost a year ago and the course has not been offered since then. The SSI course is the first such course to be offered in Cayman, or anywhere in the world at this stage.
SSI, a dive certifying agency, teamed up with Mike Wells, a record holding free diver from Australia to design the free diving certification course, with the aim of bringing free diving to the wider public, Ms Nicholsby said.
Mr. Wells visited Cayman during the summer and spent a week leading the instructor training course.
There are a significant number of residents who have expressed an interest in learning the sport, and there are plans to offer continuing activities for those who become certified.
“If we have enough people we are hoping to start a club,” Ms Nicholsby said. “We will organise specific free diving trips, and in the winter, when the sea is not as calm, we can run clinics in the pool and maybe work with yoga instructors to perfect breathing techniques. Hopefully we can start to then hold mini-competitions.”
Courses will begin as soon the course materials arrive.
“They are on the next boat,” she said. “They will be here any day now.”
Related Videos
