TAKING THE PLUNGE
How did you get into free-diving and what is your favourite part about it? I was inspired by Moken free-diving and have been practising the art with them. The Moken tribe are sea nomads (mostly based around the Mergui Archipelago) whose way of life is in harmony with the ocean. My favourite part is when you see lots of fish swimming around you and also how quiet it is down there.
What’s your record time for holding your breath? 1.5 minutes.
What can one expect from your Suntan Tour? A once-in-a-lifetime free-diving tour. We will introduce you to the secret pockets of Surin islands, known to be the dream destination for many free-divers. Also we’ll provide you with stunning photos for you to take home.
How do you split the time between your career as a designer and your passion for free-diving? It’s not easy but as long as there’s signal and an internet connection, I can manage because I carry my laptop everywhere I go.
Any advice for those who are interested but are complete beginners?
One thing I discovered about free-diving is that the mind controls your body. So as long as you have a heart, masks, fins, and a buddy — you’re good to go!
Can anyone free-dive or do you need to be PADI certified?
Yes, anyone can do it. Unlike scuba-diving, there’s no need to get a certificate. You can free-dive anywhere as long as you have the know-how and a diving buddy.
Are there any misconceptions about free-diving you wish people knew about?
If I could shed light on a couple of things it would be that every water-based sport comes with a risk. And although we may have heard news and scary stories about people who have died from free-diving, it is important to note that those are likely to be professional free-divers or people attempting to break a record in diving more than a hundred metres at a time. Some may have not mentally and physically prepared themselves for the competition or maybe their buddy was too far away to rescue them from a blackout.
Accidents can happen at any moment and i n every sport. With free-diving, if you don’t go further than 30-40 metres (like our tour), chances of injury are very slim. We have done our research in the terrains we dive and we always bring a local who knows the area well with us. We also take the time to understand the level of fitness of our guests and their body’s capabilities. The most important part is that we’ll make sure that you’re well-prepared so that you won’t go into panic mode if something goes wrong. We also teach you to communicate with your buddy so that they will always be ready to help you in case of a blackout. Every diver needs to know the rescue procedure. When done right, free-diving is a safe and wonderful experience.
Best places/islands to free-dive?
Surin islands, Phang Nga and Koh Ha, Trang. Both places are in Thailand :D
Do you get land-sick after being away from the sea for too long?
Yes, sometimes.