Cebu Moalboal we descend slowly following the steep and unfamiliar curvatures of Pescador Island’ s wall. We are heading towards a dive site called the Cathedral.
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
Palawan
Manila
Before a dive, freedivers get into the freediving state of mind via relaxation techniques for 2-3 minutes using a floater.
Cebu Moalboal we descend slowly following the steep and unfamiliar curvatures of Pescador Island’ s wall. We are heading towards a dive site called the Cathedral.
Upon landing at its roof, Andy signals for me to go deeper pointing at one of the openings or windows below us. During my descent, I feel the temperature change from warm to cold, while light slowly fades turning daylight into dawn. I continue to look above appreciating the dome-like roof of the Cathedral as sharp streaks of light pinch their way in the different openings. I finally find a spot on one of the openings at 88ft. This must be it. The spot is like how they described it in the briefing earlier. They say this is where we will catch glimpses of species of a different kind swimming above and beneath us. It’ s hauntingly quiet and undeniably calm inside the Cathedral, while Joker looms 10ft. above me.
I jerk away from my revelry as a finger taps my right shoulder. I slowly check who it may be. There in the same depth as I am, wearing only his mask, wetsuit, fins, and a smile, without carrying along heavy scuba equipment is Wolfgang Dafert – the man behind“ Freediving-Philippines”, the first professional freediver in the country. He takes his time adjusting his position for our photo-op. After a few quick shots he gives me the ok sign still smiling, then gracefully swims away towards another direction, with fish big and small joining him in his ascent, using the different uneven openings of the Cathedral.
The Freediver Gear
Less is more. A freediver uses only his wet suit, fins, and mask. It’ s a minimalist approach because this is only what a freediver needs. No scuba gear or tanks to aid him. It’ s all about breath holding. Like most freedivers would say,“ all we need is just one breath.” That one breath takes a freediver in depths scuba divers can’ t descend. Latest world record on constant weight freediving by Herbert Nitsch reached up to 124 meters, or 406.8ft. while holding his breath for more than four minutes as the pressure of the deep constantly chugs every inch of his skin.
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A freediver uses only his wet suit, fins, and mask. More of a minimalist approach because this is only what a freediver needs.”
Encounter of a different kind. Without scuba equipment,
Wolfgang even takes his time to adjust his position for a photograph.
7107 ISLAND TRAVEL 37