Posted by seahunt on March 05, 2002 at 22:44:17:
In Reply to: Opinions???? posted by scubagirl on March 05, 2002 at 16:57:33:
I'd love to know what that means.
I think I can say I am experienced as both a free diver and a scuba diver. I love them both and they are quite different. I can't say which I prefer.
I have stated that I think that if you want to improve your scuba diving, practice free diving.
I've heard a lot about minimalism and moving through the water with less drag, but I have to think that it's meaningless after one seriously free dives. After getting used to it, you can feel every piece of gear you wear and how it moves through the water. You also get a great feel for fins, masks and other gear.
It is true that even at Catalina, if you are not blowing bubbles past about 50 feet, the fish don't know what you are. I used to spear fish a fair amount and I think perhaps it was easier free.
The real point about it as far as I'm concerned is that there is something about free diving that is more intimate with the ocean than scuba. I feel a special kind of freedom when only in free diving gear. I move through the water, the kelp and the reef, far quicker, more gracefully and precisely.
If you are interested in free diving or just breath control, may I suggest you glance at http://diver.net/seahunt/breathe.htm or for what I think is an amusing tale of free diving try http://diver.net/seahunt/f_sue.htm
Enjoy the diving, seahunt