Intermediate Freediving Course at Komati

Graeme Herd

25/09/2022

A big thank you to Janet for organizing the depth freediving course in Komati Springs officiated by world renowned free diver Gletwyn Rubidge in September 2022. After watching many YouTube videos on free diving, I always thought that the sensation of negative buoyancy freefall isn’t for us mere mortals, and we would have to be satisfied to get to 10m and have a look around. The second you meet Gletwyn you know you are going to aspire to do something a little more than “merely mortal”. For a master he is down to earth, approachable, and not one bit arrogant. His stories and experience, his emphasis on safety, diving within your own limits and letting go of ego made me start dreaming about maybe, just maybe hitting 15m and experiencing a second of freefall. The course material was excellently presented and the fellow divers were all great and supportive. Komati Springs is a beautiful, remote site in Mpumalanga where nothing much other than diving happens. With each dive we got better and better while we got hands-on tips from Gletwyn, Janet and other experienced divers regarding our duck dive, head positioning, equalizing and finning. This was followed by stories, jokes and even more knowledge around the braai. I would-and probably will-do this course again. It was one of the best weekends I’ve had, and I’m proud to say that I walked into work on Monday having achieved 21m!

When sailors become mermen

11 Sep 2022

Lindi Eksteen

Today is an extra special day as Freediving Johannesburg is converting our very familiar sailor and underwater photographer, Albert Smuts, into a merman! Second male student to attend the Freediving Johannesburg Mermaid Level 1 Course.

Due to popular demand today's course was a big one, and Hani Labuschagne Williams, Freediving Johannesburg new mermaid instructor, came to assist. There were a total of 8 new students!!

After everyone introduced themselves a lovely lecture was presented by Janet Rudman which was followed by a quick lunch. Soon after everyone headed for the water to get cracking with their requirement swims. All the students were truly amazing and had such a great time. Lindi Eksteen also helped assist students whilst taking photos and underwater videos. Albert and Hani also brought their underwater GoPro's along capturing all the beautiful magic of the day.

At the end of the day I am happy to report that all 8 students qualified, and Albert is 100% Triton for sure!!

Not all treasure is silver and gold mate

Lindi Eksteen

14/08/2022

We had a pirate attack on Miracle Waters! Another creative dare by Janet, founder of Freediving Johannesburg. Everyone got dressed-up for the occasion over their wetsuits. Some painted t-shirts with stripes, either red or black, others had eye patches, bandannas, corsets, swords and even a big pirate flag to seal the deal.

Once in the chilly waters, we find a sunken boat and position the skull flag above it. Quick deliberation and directions go out and everyone gets in position to dive.

Shipshape, ahoy and avast, sa-il ye scurvy dog! Blow ye winds and anchors aweigh! A sal-ty crew of mat-eys are we. Come along and sa-il today, pirates all are we!

And off we go!

Underwater photographer Albert Smuts shot

away at the pirate madness capturing all the fun, and this kind of joy certainly is worth more than silver and gold.

Freediving Johannesburg had 3 new students there as well completing their depth for the course and they all did incredibly well.

Shipshape, ahoy and avast, sa-il ye scurvy dog! Blow ye winds and anchors aweigh! A sal-ty crew of mat-eys are we. Come along and sa-il today, pirates all are we! Savvy!

#freedive #freediving #pirates #freedivingjohannesburg #miriclewaters