Learn the basics of freediving then swim with whale sharks, sea lions and schools of Jack fish - it's all waiting for you in Mexico!

• Learn the basics of freediving, under the expert tutelage of Hanli Prinsloo and Peter Marshall
• Swim with whale sharks, sea lions and schools of Jack fish
• Learn about ocean conservation from the I AM WATER team

Suitable for all ages and all fitness levels, Mexico’s Baja Peninsula (including Baja California and Baja California Sur) is located on the northwest Pacific coast, bordering the US State of California. It’s the world’s second largest peninsula, separated from Mexico’s mainland by the Sea of Cortez, a body of water that Jacques Cousteau once referred to as “the world’s aquarium” for it’s incredible diversity of marine species.

Join the I AM WATER team through this unique opportunity to learn the art of freediving in the company of whale sharks, jack fish and sea lions. You will be based in a beautiful hacienda, located just outside of Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, located on the southwestern tip of the peninsula. Freediving champions, Hanli Prinsloo and Peter Marshall will conduct yoga sessions and tutor you in the art of breath control in preparation for a series of open water freediving sessions in the crystalline waters of the Sea of Cortez.

WHAT IS FREEDIVING?

Freediving is an age-old practice of exploring the ocean on one breath. In contrast to scuba diving, freediving is the most natural way of being underwater, enabling you to get much closer to the animals – particularly the bigger ones – while having the least ecosystem impact.

CAN ANYONE LEARN HOW TO FREEDIVE?

Our freediving tour is structured in such a way that it allows to cater to both absolute beginners and more advanced freedivers. With multiple instructors on each trip, able to adjust to individual abilities.

HOW FIT DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO FREEDIVE?

Fitness and general health helps, but the team will work with what you bring. Freediving in itself can be a strenuous activity, but it can be adjusted to suit the needs of all guests. WHAT HAPPENS ON A TYPICAL DAY? Each day will start or end with a yoga session to prepare your lungs and body for deep breaths and time underwater, learning to control your breathing and to slow your heart-rate. You will be offered breath-hold training on land, in water as well as deep diving sessions along a rope to prepare you for meeting the animals. As world-class freedivers we will inspire you to explore your own depths!

WHAT MARINE LIFE CAN I EXPECT TO SEE?

Swimming with Whale Sharks is one of the highlights of this region. There are several places in the world where one can swim with whale sharks and we have picked La Paz not only for its proximity to Cabo Pulmo, but also because to support the work of the local operators with regards to sustainable interactions with these precious and threatened animals. November is also a great month for experiencing Cabo Pulmo’s massive schools of Jack Fish with pristine visibility. There are very few places in the world where one can still have the opportunity to experience vast schools of fish as they have quite simply been fished out. Sea lions are also found in this area. You may get the opportunity to spend time watching, interacting, swimming and diving with these intelligent creatures, getting inspired by their agility and entertained by their antics.

IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT ON THE TRIP?

Freediving is for all ages and is suitable for children too.

WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE?

With an average water temperature of approximately 27 °C, you will be able to spend plenty of time in and underwater.

IS FREEDIVING DANGEROUS?

Freediving is a potentially risky sport, however, when practised responsibly is not dangerous at all. The I AM WATER team teach a conservative slow progression approach to freediving where you will explore your limitations and capabilities under the expert eye of top freediving instructors. The biggest risk in freediving is practising alone, something that will never be done or allowed to do, and part of your week-long course with us is safety, risk and rescue training.