Discover the Benefits of Becoming a PADI Freediver Instructor: Your Passport to Freedom!
April 19,2023
PADI Freediver Instructors are a new breed of PADI Pro that are in high demand in the industry, particularly with the rise in travel following the pandemic. If you’re looking to escape the corporate world, a PADI Freediver Instructor qualification can be your passport to freedom. Here are some reasons why you should consider taking the freediver instructor course:
Expand Your Underwater Skills Portfolio Becoming a PADI Freediver Instructor is an excellent way to expand your skillset and make you more desirable to dive shops. As an instructor, you can take beginners right through to advanced apnea levels, increasing the services that a dive shop can provide. There are also three additional levels of PADI Freediver Instructor training beyond the certification, including Advanced Freediver Instructor, Master Freediver Instructor, and Freediver Instructor Trainer.
Learn New Skills The PADI Freediver Instructor Course focuses on both your underwater and above-water skillset. You’ll learn about course standards and procedures, teaching skills, risk management, freediving physiology and psychology, and organization and marketing freediving.
Turn Your Passion into a Career Freediving is one of the most peaceful experiences in the world, and as an instructor, you can make it accessible to others. Your passion can be turned into a payable qualification by undertaking the instructor course, allowing you to work from anywhere in the world.
Stay Up To Date As a PADI Pro, it’s important to stay up to date with available instructor qualifications to keep your skillset current and in-depth. Undertaking the Freediver Instructor Course can help you swap out a corporate-relevant diploma or training course for a hands-on experience, keeping your PADI Pro career fresh.
Be a Part of Something Bigger Becoming a PADI Freediver Instructor means you can become an advocate for the ocean and pass on knowledge to your students about conservation movements like PADI AWARE. You can help create over one billion Torchbearers through PADI’s Torchbearer movement and give something back to our planet with your voice.
If you’re ready to take the first step, get in touch with us today. The PADI Freediver Instructor Course takes just 6 days of classroom and in-water training, and while it’s intense, it’s also highly rewarding!
Proper Weighting for Freediving: How to Ensure a Safe and Enjoyable Dive
March 12th, 2023
As a freediver and spearo, proper weighting is crucial to ensure a safe and successful dive. Improper weighting can not only compromise your safety but can also impact your performance in the water & kill you! In this blog, we’ll go over how to properly weight yourself for freediving to ensure you have the best diving experience possible.
Step 1: Gather All Your Gear
Before jumping into the water, make sure you have all the gear you’ll be diving with, including your wetsuit, fins, mask, weight belt, speargun, camera and any additional gear you typically use. It’s important to have all your gear on to get an accurate weight check.
Step 2: Take a Peak Inhale and Hold
Once you have all your gear on, take a deep breath in, filling your diaphragm and lungs to the max, and hold it for a second.
Step 3: Let Out 20% of Your Air and Hold
After holding your breath for a second, let out about 20% of your air and hold. Make sure your snorkel is out of your mouth.
Step 4: Check the Water Line
While holding your breath, look (feel) at the waterline. The waterline should be between your eyes and chin. If the waterline is above your eyes, then you’re overweighted, and you need to remove some weight. If the waterline is below your chin, you’re underwater weighted, and you need to add some weight.
Step 5: Test Your Weighting
Once you’ve adjusted your weight, it’s essential to test it out in deeper water. Start with a shallow dive and check your buoyancy at various depths. It’s important to get comfortable with your weighting before attempting any deeper dives.
Step 6: Consider Water Density
It’s essential to keep in mind that water density can affect your weighting. If you’re diving in saltwater, you’ll need to add weight to compensate for the higher density of the water. A general rule of thumb is to add one pound of weight for every millimeter of wetsuit you’re wearing.
In conclusion, proper weighting is a crucial aspect of freediving that should not be overlooked. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that you’re properly weighted and ready for a safe and enjoyable dive. Remember, if you’re ever unsure about your weighting, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and remove a little weight to ensure your safety. If you’re interested in learning more about proper weighting or other freediving techniques, sign up for a course or charter with SAVAGE DIVING!
Spearfishing for Mahi Mahi: Tips From a Professional Freediver
March 14th, 2023
As a professional freediver and spearo, I have spent countless hours exploring the waters of North Florida in search of Mahi Mahi. These elusive fish can be found in a variety of locations, but with the right techniques and gear, anyone can have a successful hunt.
Locating Mahi Mahi
Mahi Mahi are known for their striking colors and can often be found near floating debris such as seaweed, logs, or other structures. These structures can provide shelter for smaller fish, which in turn attracts Mahi Mahi who feed on them. It’s important to keep a close eye on these structures and look for any signs of movement or feeding activity.
Another way to locate Mahi Mahi is to look for birds diving into the water. Birds are often attracted to schools of fish, which can lead you to Mahi Mahi. Keep an eye out for any diving birds and move towards them slowly to avoid spooking the fish.
Spearfishing Tips for Hunting Mahi
Once you have located a school of Mahi Mahi, it’s important to approach them carefully and slowly. These fish can be skittish, and any sudden movements can cause them to scatter.
When spearfishing for Mahi Mahi, it’s important to use a reliable speargun with a mono or spectra shooting line and a flopper or slip-tip shaft. A good technique is to wait until the Mahi Mahi are close to the surface and then take aim. Be sure to aim for the head or spine to ensure a clean kill.
It’s also important to have a good breath-hold and great duck-dive (water entry) when spearfishing for Mahi Mahi. These fish are known for their speed and agility, so it’s important not to displace any water spooking them.
Recommended Gear
When hunting Mahi Mahi in North Florida, it’s important to have the right gear. Here are some recommended items:
Speargun – A reliable Bluewater Speargun is essential for hunting Mahi Mahi, Koah’s are great!
Wetsuit – A good Waihana wetsuit will help keep you warm and protect you from the sun.
Flashers – A set of flashers will bring the fish in close enough for you to take your shot!
If you’re interested in experiencing the thrill of spearfishing for Mahi Mahi in North Florida, then sign up for SAVAGE DIVING Bluewater Spearfishing Excursions. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience – sign up today!
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Spearfishing For Wahoo Offshore Florida: Tips and Tricks
January 5th, 2023
If you’re an avid freediver looking for a new challenge, then look no further than offshore spearfishing for wahoo. Wahoo are one of the most popular game fish in the world, and they offer a serious test for even the most experienced spearfishermen.
Offshore spearfishing for wahoo is a dangerous and challenging sport, but the rewards are well worth the risk. The meat of the wahoo is prized by many as some of the best-tasting fish in the world, and the fish themselves are often very large.
In this article, we’ll give you some tips and tricks on how to spearfish for wahoo offshore Florida. With proper preparation and a little bit of luck, you’ll be bringing in these prized fish in no time!
All About Wahoo:
Wahoo, also known as Acanthocybium solandri, are a gamefish found throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. They are usually found in water up to 180 feet deep, but can sometimes be found at depths of up to 350 feet. These sleek and powerful fish can grow to lengths of up to 70 inches and weights of up to 40 pounds. Their bodies are blue to silver on the back and silver on the side, and they have an unmistakable bright tail. Wahoo, along with other game fish, are a popular target for spearfishing. What makes them such a desirable target is their size and strength, which can provide a serious challenge for even the most experienced spearfishermen. In addition to the challenge, wahoo are also prized for their meat, which is highly sought after by seafood connoisseurs due to its clean, mild flavor and delicate texture.
Where to Find Wahoo?
When it comes to finding wahoo, SAVAGE DIVING is the place to go. This company has been providing offshore fishing trips to Florida and other Caribbean Islands for more than 15 years. They specialize in targeting big game fish, and wahoo are always a popular target. The best time for wahoo fishing is typically January through March and again in November and December. These months are usually when these fish are in the shallowest waters, and thus the easiest to hunt. The best depths and locations can vary from day to day, so it’s important to do your research and stay informed about where the wahoo may be lurking. Most experienced captains know the best spots and times for catching wahoo, so make sure to hire one who has the knowledge and experience to help you land your prize.
What Equipment do you need?
While spearfishing for wahoo, you’ll need the right gear and equipment because the fish can be quite challenging to catch. First, you’ll need a good-quality spear gun. You should consider a gun with a minimum length of 55in. You’ll also need a wetsuit or freediving suit to protect yourself from the elements. In addition to a spear gun and wetsuit, you’ll also need a mask, snorkel, weight belt, gloves, and a floatline. Use of our Spearguns & Floatlines/Floats are included in all of our Wahoo Spearfishing Excursions.
The Best Techniques for Spearfishing Wahoo:
Spearfishing for wahoo requires both skill and patience. It’s important to remember that wahoo can move fast, so you’ll need to be prepared to act quickly. When you locate a school of wahoo, you’ll need to move in slowly and prepare your gun. The most important thing to remember when spearfishing for wahoo is to keep your movements smooth and steady. Make sure to always keep your eye on the fish, and aim for the head/kill shot or the middle of the lower chest/tail. Take your time and only take a shot when you’re sure you can make a clean kill.
What to Do with Your Catch:
Once you’ve landed your prized wahoo, the next step is to prepare and cook it. The best way to prepare your catch is to fillet the fish, or sushi or lightly seared! The meat of wahoo is mild and delicate, and it’s important not to overcook it. If you’re looking for an alternative way to enjoy your catch, then consider smoking it. Smoking wahoo will bring out the best flavors of the fish, and the process is surprisingly simple. You’ll need to lightly salt the fish first and then soak it in a brine of white wine, rosemary, thyme, and garlic for up to 12 hours. Then, you’ll need to hot smoke the wahoo for four hours or until it is just cooked through.
Conclusion:
Wahoo is one of the most popular game fish in the world, and for good reason. They offer a serious challenge for even the most experienced freedivers, and the meat is some of the best-tasting in the world. SAVAGE DIVING is the perfect company to work with when hunting for wahoo offshore Florida, as they know the best places and times to find these prized fish. With the right equipment, the proper technique, and a little bit of luck, you’ll be bringing in the Wahoo in no time. Good luck and happy hunting!