Friday, 1st September 2017
To make use of the public holiday replacement for Saturday (Hari Raya Aidil Adha / Eid Al Adha), my friends and I spontaneously decided to go to the Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) swimming pool where it’s “women only” from 4pm onwards on Fridays. We were practically the only ones there so we took advantage of the whole pool.
We had loads of fun. Those who have access to my Instagram and Facebook can see what I mean. While Jonie and Kristine were minding their swimming, I suited up in my fins, mask, weights and snorkel to practice some freediving foundations (duck dive and breathhold).
I’ve been swimming since I was 6 years old. I remember how the deep end used to get my imagination going. I could swim over it but would avoid thinking about the depth, lest I were to freak out midway through swim laps. But after learning how to freedive, 3m (9 feet) underwater is like playing in a giant bathtub. I was practically flying around in the pool. It really reminded me about why I love being in the water. I just feel free and it brings me so much peace.
Besides fooling about, the session gave me the opportunity to nit pick on small things I need to work on going from surface to under, such my duck dives and finning technique. Luckily I brought my GoPro to review where I went wrong, and my friends were really supportive (amazed, rather), so it was a fruitful session overall. We probably would’ve stayed til closing (9pm) but left at 6.30 as I had news to do and the girls needed to be home early.
For those who want to practice their freediving skills in the pool, PLEASE DO NOT try static or dynamic apnea (breathholding) unless in the presence of another CPR certified swimmer, freediver, lifeguard or some health specialist (doctor, nurse). My friends ticked most of the boxes and we were in the private hospital swimming pool *lol* so I was in good hands.
