Trying to describe our club in the best way is a challenge. I think the best description is that it gives you whatever you want out of Freediving. We have a minimum entry requirement so that all divers know what to do in the case of emergency, and how to look after each other, which means our starting base of people are also all considerate people.

I have split the main focuses of the club into four main parts. There is a fifth, competition, but I treat that differently but is accessible by choice for anyone who chooses to go that route, but they really don’t have to.

It is a pick and mix of what you want to do within the structure.

CLUB PHILOSOPHY

Freediving is a very personal adventure and so we try to help our members take their own path whether that is developing new skills, improving fitness, engaging with nature, relaxing, competing or making friendships. The beautiful thing about Freediving is that you can have people in the same pool space, with different goals and they all get what they need from a session. It works very well for us. Even though it is a very personal sport and you get out of it what you want, we also look after each other very closely, so strong bonds are formed. We dive both in pools and open water, and once again, you can specialise in either or both.

COMPETITION FREEDIVING

More recently freediving has evolved into a competitive sport with hundreds of divers around the world constantly pushing their limits ever deeper and further. On the competition scene our own members have gone on to set 27 National freediving records across all 8 disciplines, have ranked 3rd and 4th internationally and regularly appear on the podium for National competition, and have represented the United Kingdom in World Championships for over a decade. Two of our members helped win silver in the World Freediving Championships in Vancouver 2004 and we have UK squad member(s) nearly every year since, being team Captain in 2008. We regularly break records and have some of the world’s best Freedivers training and learning with us in the club. If you are looking to compete (and even if you are not) then our regular club sessions give you access to some of the most experienced and competent freedivers all of whom enjoy developing new talent within the sport and helping each other succeed.

Our head coach Steve Millard is an industry professional and runs the club full time. All of our instructors are not only instructors but coaches too. These are dedicated Freedive professionals who can spend time with athletes over long periods of time, help design training plans around their lifestyle, help work on their nutrition, technique, flexibility, fitness and a host of other skill sets in order to create the finished product, a world class athlete. ApneistsUK deliver in this field through regular coaching programs.