The allure of the Mediterranean is undeniable. The warm blue waters, the balmy sun, and the vibrant culture beckon travellers from across the globe. Ibiza, in particular, has been an age-old favourite. Known for its lively parties and pristine beaches, this Spanish isle offers a myriad of experiences. But what happens when a freediver, accustomed to plunging into the depths of the seas, goes on a family holiday with loved ones who don’t share the same passion? Here’s a glimpse into my recent family trip to Ibiza, and how I managed to squeeze in a couple of early morning dives amidst the family fun.

Balancing Passion with Priorities

Traveling with family, especially with diverse interests, means being considerate and flexible. While I craved the thrill of the depths, I also understood that beach picnics, sightseeing, and relaxed afternoons were integral parts of our holiday plan.

To strike a balance, I chose the early morning for my dive sessions so I was back before lunch. These magical hours, became my exclusive window to the underwater wonders of Ibiza.

The Quiet Dive

The tranquillity of the early morning sea in Ibiza is unparalleled. The beaches were almost empty and the waters invited me for a serene dive. On my first outing I met up Louisa from Freedive Ibiza an on my second with David from Saltfish Freediving who would be my safeties and guides.  Aiming for 40 meters, we swam out a few hundred meters from shore in a sheltered bay. The waters were crips and clear with visibility around 25m the descent was peaceful, only interrupted by the curious marine life of the Mediterranean. The tranquillity of these dives was the profound connection I felt with the water. No distractions, just the rhythmic beats of my heart and the mesmerizing dance of the sun’s rays filtering through the water.

Rejoining the Family

Post-dive, as I’d emerge from the waters, the golden hues of the sun would paint the horizon. By the time I returned to our accommodation, refreshed and invigorated, the family would be up and about, gearing up for the day’s adventures. Over lunch, I’d regale them with tales from the deep, sharing the videos, making them an integral part of my experience before we head off for the day to snorkel at the beach.

Conclusion

Freediving in Ibiza showed me that even when we have limited days to go away on holiday, we can still fit in some freediving. While our family enjoy the sun-soaked beaches, I managed to satiate my diving cravings. Together, we created memories that were both shared and personal, making our Ibiza trip truly unforgettable.

Thank you to Saltfish Freediving and Freedive Ibiza for being my guides and safety any for the video footage.

Aharon has a sensible and relatively unique take on depth adaptation, believing in slow and safe progression in freediving through two stages, RV1 where the freediver fully exhales all the air they can from their lungs (to residual volume) and then fills their mouth with air and pulls down the line until they can either no longer equalise or when they feel the slightest signs of discomfort and RV2, where the diver exhales all air from the lungs and mouth. Aharon has trained divers to reach depths of over a 100m with these techniques so we took some time to visit him and learn more. 

During training we had the pleasure of watching Nadav Han a close friend and student of Aharons demonstration RV2 by pulling down the line to 17m as you can see in the video below.

Not only is Aharon a great freediving coach but he also has some great stories to enjoy over a beer.

If you are interested in coaching from Aharon then you can contact him via the details below:

Whatsapp: +972 527381684
Facebook: Aharon Solomons
E-mail: aharon.solomons@gmail.com