Your Freediving Kit: A Complete Guide to Freediving Gear

Key Points:

• Some essential freediving equipment you’ll need as a beginner includes a freediving mask, a snorkel, a weight belt and weights. Most professional training will require you to have this equipment before you begin.
• Some of the gear you may want to add to your freediving kit includes a diving knife, a freediving computer, a buoy and more. These items can help you become a better freediver and push your limits further.
• You should ensure you get the best freediving equipment your budget allows. Buying quality equipment ensures better safety, longer-lasting life and better performance.
• Thankfully, plenty of dedicated freediving stores offer all the necessary gear at affordable prices. AGULHAS is one of the leading freediving brands, revolutionising the sport with our beautiful, innovative designs that focus on sustainability and quality.

Whether you’re an experienced diver or just beginning your journey with freediving, understanding what you need for your freediving kit and how to differentiate between the best freediving gear and equipment that isn’t so great is essential. However, with so much information and different retailers, knowing exactly what you need and what’s best can be difficult.In this article, we’ll discuss the must-have freediving gear, how to tell if the quality is good and introduce you to AGULHAS. We sell many vital pieces of freediving equipment, all guaranteed to be of the highest quality and completely sustainable. So, why not check out our catalogue after you’ve dived into our guide?

Why Having the Best Freediving Gear Is Essential

Having the best quality freediving gear is essential for any diver. Quality equipment will help ensure your safety and be the difference between a successful dive and coming short of achieving your goals. That isn’t to say you need to spend extortionate amounts for top-of-the-range gear, pricing you out of the sport. However, divers should never compromise their safety for a bargain if that equipment is defective.

For the best results, shop at a reputable retailer or brand website and know what to look for with second-hand items. If in doubt, always urge on the side of caution and ask a professional freediving instructor for their opinion on what you believe may be a defect.

Finally, having higher-quality freediving gear means you’ll be able to use it longer and save money in the long run due to fewer repairs or replacements. Here at AGULHAS, we are changing the market for freediving equipment by ensuring that much of our equipment is modular. You can swap out and repair/change individual parts rather than replace the whole item.

How to Tell The Quality of Your Freediving Equipment

When looking for freedive gear, it’s important to consider certain details like material, size, fit, weight and other features. Look for durable materials designed for freediving, which will be more comfortable and provide better functionality. 

Make sure to buy from trusted brands that have been tried and tested by other divers so you can be sure of their safety standards. Additionally, check where the freediving equipment is made because items manufactured in different countries will have different quality standards. You should also check that the piece of freediving gear adheres to any local regulations that might be in place.

Finally, check out online reviews and ratings when shopping for freediving gear so you know what others think about the products before you purchase them.

Freedive Gear for Beginners and Advanced Divers

For any diver, having a balanced freedive kit is key to a safe and successful dive. Your equipment should be tailored to your needs, skillset and comfort. However, it should be noted that what you need to begin the sport and what you might want to add to your freedive gear afterwards are completely different. As such, we’ve split our list into two groups. This section will deal with the absolute essentials, and the following section with the optional extras you can add to your freediving kit later.

The Essential Freediving Kit

Those new to freediving don’t need a great amount of gear when compared to other sports. However, these items are essential and what most training schools will insist you have before you can even begin your lessons.

Freediving Mask

A freediving mask is one of the most important pieces of freedive gear because it provides a good seal on your face and lets you see underwater. Freediving masks are usually made from high-quality silicone rubber, which is durable and allows for comfortable wear. If possible, try on the mask before purchasing it as fit can be critical in providing a successful dive.

When choosing a freedive mask, ensure the silicone skirt fits your face well and that the lenses are free from any scratches or scuffs. Having your vision obscured when underwater can be a safety risk, so it’s best to take the time to check your mask before each dive.

Freediving Snorkel

A freediving snorkel is an important piece of equipment as it allows you to breathe at the surface while preparing for a dive, keeping your eyes on your buddy or interesting sea life below. A standard snorkel can be used, but it’s fairly easy to find specialised freediving snorkels on the market. These snorkels are often the simplest design, a wide enough tube for good airflow but no unnecessary valves that would  create  drag underwater.

Always check that the freediving snorkel fits your mouth comfortably  and that there are no obstructions in the tube.

Freediving Fins

Fins are essential for freediving as they provide the propulsion to get you to greater depths and for safe surface swimming. Freedive fins should be lightweight, comfortable and capable of delivering enough power to move you through the water efficiently. Most fins used in freediving are made from a mix of materials, plastic or rubber footpockets with carbon fibre or plastic blades. I If your budget stretches to more expensive models, carbon fibre is highly recommended.

When looking for freedive fins, ensure they fit your feet comfortably but securely. Additionally, check the materials and construction to ensure they are durable and won’t easily break or tear.

Wetsuit

A wetsuit is important when freediving as it helps to keep the diver warm and insulated underwater. Freedive suits are usually made from a combination of neoprene and nylon that are lightweight but still provide enough warmth for most conditions. There are many different kinds of neoprene on the market, some more sustainable than others. At AGULHAS we use Yamamoto 45, a buttery soft wetsuit material made from natural limestone rubber. 

A freedive suit should fit you snugly, so there aren’t any gaps or creases in the material. Additionally, check that it’s long enough to cover your arms and legs completely without being too tight on the wrists or ankles.

Weight Belt and Weights

A weight belt is used to counteract the buoyancy of a wetsuit and help the diver descend more smoothly underwater. Weight belts used for scuba are usually made from nylon webbing with metal weights attached, which can be adjusted depending on the descent required. Freediving weight belts need to be flexible so they can be tightened on the hips without restricting belly breaths or moving when diving up or down. For this reason, most freediving weight belts are made out of rubber or silicone. 

You should ensure that your freedive weight belt fits you comfortably without being too loose or tight. Additionally, check that there are no sharp edges on the weights and that they are securely attached to the belt. Lastly, it’s important to understand your buoyancy for recreational snorkelling vs deeper freediving. Be sure to talk to your instructor about best buoyancy for freediving.

Extra Freediving Gear

Once you’ve completed your freediving training and have been on a few preliminary dives, you may wish to invest in upgrading your existing gear and acquiring new pieces of freediving kit that will take your diving to the next level. Here is some of the freediving equipment you might consider:

Freediving Watch/Computer

A freediving watch, also known as a freediving computer, allows you to accurately measure your time underwater. Freediving watches are usually equipped with special features such as a dive timer, depth counter and temperature gauge, which can be extremely helpful when tracking performance. Freediving watches also measure your ‘surface interval’ between dives so that you can make safe choices around when to dive and when to rest.

When buying a freediving watch/computer, ensure it has all the features you need and is easy to use. Additionally, check that the materials and construction are of good quality to withstand multiple dives. Most models are water resistant up to 100m, serving you well.

Monofin

A monofin is a single, blade-shaped fin that connects both of your feet and is often used for deeper or longer dives. 

As with other fins, ensure your monofin fits well as you will create a lot of propulsion with each kick.

A Divers Knife

A divers knife is an important piece of safety equipment that can be used in various circumstances, such as cutting fishing lines and freeing yourself from entanglements. These knives usually have a serrated edge, so they can easily cut through most materials underwater.

When selecting a knife for freediving, ensure it is easy to use and has a good grip. Additionally, check the construction of the blade to ensure it won’t rust or corrode over time. It’s best to buy one with a sheath to store it securely while diving.

Marker Buoy

A marker buoy is a floating device that marks your location and tracks progress during freediving. These buoys are best used with a line attached to the bottom of the buoy so the diver knows where they are. These buoys are great for safety and can help divers easily find their way back to the boat or shore and mark a diver’s position to any boats in the area.

As far as freedive marker buoys go, the obvious thing is to ensure it floats well. Additionally, check that the material is strong enough to withstand long periods in the water without breaking or being damaged by marine life. Finally, try to find one with bright colours so it will be easily visible when you surface.

Nose Clip

A nose clip is a simple device that fits around your nose and stops water from entering through your nostrils while on the surface. These clips are usually made from rubber or plastic.

It’s important to ensure that you can remove your nose clip quickly if you’re planning on competition freediving. Removing all facial equipment is strictly part of the surface protocol, and it’s timed, meaning that failure to get the clip off quickly can cost you dearly.

Caring for Your Freediving Kit

We’ve already talked about checking for defects when you purchase an item, but keeping your equipment in top shape throughout your time freediving is also important.

Good maintenance habits include rinsing and drying your gear after each use, inspecting straps and buckles for wear and tear, and replacing broken or damaged pieces. Additionally, clean and store your freedive gear away from direct sunlight or moisture that can cause damage over time. 

One excellent way of ensuring that your freediving kit is in tip-top shape is to replace the individual parts that are broken or are becoming worn through use or age. Most freediving gear won’t allow you to do this, meaning you must replace the entire freediving kit. However, that’s where Agulhas is revolutionising the freediving world…

Introducing the Agulhas Freediving Store

If you’re looking for the best freediving gear on the market, you’re already in the right place with AGULHAS. Our range of gear, such as freediving masks, snorkels and fins, is crafted with freedivers in mind! The reason for this is simple – we’re freedivers ourselves, with champion freediver Hanli Prinsloo, World Champion swimmer Peter Marshall and acclaimed designer Alexander Taylor all central to our design process.

One of the things that make Agulhas stand out from the crowd is our innovative modular design. Many of our  products are made from interchangeable parts that allow you to customise your freediving kit depending on your needs. This means you can buy individual parts and upgrade over time rather than replace the entire equipment.

Not only does this make Agulhas freediving gear more customisable, but it also makes it more sustainable. With this design, you can easily repair and restore any part of your kit without buying a new one, cutting down on waste and keeping plastic out of our beloved oceans. Equally, all our products are designed to utilise the most sustainable parts possible, meaning that our freediving store is probably the most eco-friendly you’ll find!

Thanks to Agulhas’ best-in-class freedive gear, experienced freedivers and newcomers can now enjoy the best possible experience while exploring the seas and oceans. Please explore the rest of AGULHAS’ website to read more about our products and the amazing world of freediving!

Conclusion

Whether you’re just beginning with freediving or possess years of experience, ensuring you have the best freediving gear to have safe, comfortable and enjoyable dives is essential. With properly maintained gear on hand, nothing will stop you from experiencing the wonders beneath the sea!

At Agulhas, we provide you with revolutionary freediving equipment. Our unique modular design allows you to customise your kit, which not only saves you money but aids sustainability. With Agulhas, you’ll find a complete freediving kit that fits your needs and freediving equipment that allows you to experience freedom beneath the waves!

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