It was just a lovely Monday when I got a message from a freediver (We are in the FreedivHer group in Facebook). Are you interested in doing a AIDA 3 Course? I asked her if I could still do it although I only had a AIDA 2 Pool Level without going to the open waters yet. She said yes and that I should take this opportunity because it will be taught by a Flavia Eberhard. I heard her name once from a freediver instructor. The instructor was certified by Flavia. So, I enrolled myself that day itself for the course that was held on the coming weekend, which was actually yesterday. I had no expectations when I enrolled. I thought it will be alright to learn the next level... until my freediving buddy told me that you have to hold your breath for a minimum of 2minutes 45 seconds and swim a 55m lap underwater. Now, he freaked me out!
On a gorgeous Saturday morning, I was excited. I went to PJ Palms Sports Center, and met the Flavia Eberhard for the first time. She was tall and slim, and walked with an elegance of a model, which I found out she was a former model. She has been freediving for 7 years. She was very down-to-earth, and most importantly, so friendly. There were 4 of us in the course, and we started the theory at 11am. I learnt a lot of biological terms which got my 'number/childish/fiction' brain to a confused mode. I was the one with the most questions. You learnt jargons - lung squeeze (okay, maybe not so jargon), diffusion (hah! this is jargon), hyperventilating, vasoconstriction, cerebral (I never thought I will see this term after 18 years leaving school), perforated eardrum (I was WHAT?), barotrauma, Dalton's Law, the total lung capacity and so many.
After the theory for about 3 hours, we were in the waters. To do the static apnea. It was lunch time, but Flavia said to not eat before static because the oxygen will be used to digest the food, and I need oxygen! So to pass, one has to hold the breath at least 2 minutes 45 seconds. I was so anxious. In my AIDA 2 Pool, I did 2 min 10 seconds, just 10 seconds more than the requirement. Flavia's technique - think of a daily routine that you can do by just closing your eyes or doing in the dark for e.g. collecting your keys in your room towards the door; or sing a song; or relaxing each part of your body slowly. Never leave your mind empty because suddenly a monkey on fire will just run in, and you will panic. So, what I thought - I sang 'Top of the World' in my head repeatedly and visualise Everest Base Camp. When I emerged from the waters, I clocked 4 minutes 7 seconds. I was shocked beyond belief. I cannot believe my ears. I thought it must be a joke! I couldn't believe my body's capabilities. I thought I was in the waters for about 2 minutes.
Next, we did a CO2 training. This is a very important training for the body to tolerate high CO2 and acid lactic and most importantly, contraction. We did a 18m distance for 20 laps with a time interval of 2minutes which gradually decreased to 45 seconds. A male freediver said this was easy. I said it was tough. I was tired. Contraction felt at the last 2 rounds. I will subsequently be better. I know I will. Although slowly.
On Sunday, we did theory. And complete the next test which was to do a dynamic apnea of 55meters. I succeeded in that, although I need to practise more on my push-off from the wall of the pool and the turn to complete the last 5 meter (the pool is 50 meter in length).
The final test is the questions. Oh gawd. I gaped at the first question - perforated eardrum. It sounded so familiar and I had to think really hard to recall! It took me an hour to finish the exams while having my dinner. I did not have lunch prior to the dynamic. The stomach was making so much noises. I wanted to wait for the break fast time to have dinner together with my other buddies, but I could not wait for 10 minutes (I have no determination). I got a 71 out of 88. I passed. The mark to achieve is a minimum of 66.
The group of us who passed the AIDA 3 Pool Free Diving with our instructor, Flavia. Flavia has a motherly aura, and an amazing motivator to push you, and to convince you that you can do it. I am truly honored to be given the opportunity to meet her and learn from her.
Thank you, Universe and Goddess of Mercy for arranging my life schedule.
No comments:
Post a Comment