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Surf Apnea Training: Increase Confidence and Safety in the Ocean

As surfers, we have a deep connection with the ocean. We try, we fall, we immerse ourselves in the deep blue. Many surfers find that fear can limit their performance and hamper their enjoyment. Surf Apnea training allows surfers to better understand the mechanics of the breath and increase confidence in more challenging conditions.

In this article, we’ll explore surf apnea training and how it can help surfers of all levels improve their performance and endurance.

AWAVE Travel has partnered with one of the world leaders in Surf Apnea Training – Augusto Vargas, to offer exclusive access on their programs – click here for more information.

As an introduction, Survival Apnea is offering free access for 7 days to their Ocean Resilience Program – click here for more information!

Understanding Apnea for Surfers

Apnea, so Wikipedia tells us, is the cessation of breath…when there is no movement of the muscles of inhalation. Obviously, we hold our breath when we duck dive, cop a set on the head, or go over the falls, so we’re already practicing apnea to some degree, but training in it, making your breath holds better, longer, and more comfortable, is an amazing and simple way to step up our surfing.

Increased breath-holds allow for amazing opportunities to freedive as well. This is something that can really add to a Surf Charter trip in The Maldives or Indonesia!

Surf Apnea Training Benefits

Most people come to apnea through want for freediving. Apnea training was developed to increase the human ability to stay underwater. Spearfishers also get great benefits from apnea training so that they can stay down for longer and improve their chances of nabbing tonight’s dinner.

But surfers don’t stay down that long, and the idea of holding your breath for two minutes plus is kind of pointless? Not at all. Increased breath holds increase confidence in all situations in the ocean.

Survival Apena is offering free access to their Survival Apnea Insights Course, showcasing the benefits for surfers and all water users.

Starting Your Apnea Training Journey

But apnea training is a twofold lesson. “Apnea helps you to develop self-awareness, self-control and forge body and mind resilience through the mastery of breathing and apnea,” says apnea guru and founder of Survival Apnea, Augusto Vegas. “Apnea practice will improve your ocean fitness, but more than that, it will help you to remain calm and controlled during hold-downs, endure better through challenging moments, such as when paddling through a set of waves, sharpen your presence and focus, and give you far more control over anxiety and apprehension.”

Augusto has developed an extensive online course, for those looking to learn. As an introduction, Survival Apnea is offering access to ‘The Three Captains: The Mind, The Body, The Breath’ for free!

CO2 Training for Surfers

Augusto’s apnea training covers all aspects of freediving and survival apnea – being able to remain controlled and unphased in pressure situations. The comprehensive courses, both in-person and online, provide the perfect foundation for all ocean-goers, whether you free dive and spearfish, or even if you choose to spend most of your time above the waves”

Exploring Apnea Training Techniques

There are two primary breath lessons that you can easily and safely do without any official training that will already begin to improve your abilities. These ‘dry training’ lessons focus on two specific medical conditions: hypoxia – a lack of oxygen – and hypercapnia – an excess of carbon dioxide. These lessons, what are known as O2 and CO2 training, or tables, begin to train your body to better manage periods below the surface.

Safety and Professional Guidance in Apnea Training

It’s a mind-over-matter scenario. Of course, breathing is quite helpful for our survival, but our body’s reaction is almost excessively over-reactive, preempting our urge to breathe far sooner than is actually required. Even when we’re out of breath on dry land, holding for 20 seconds is easy. But put your head underwater, in a situation where breathing isn’t an option, and even 10 seconds can seem like forever.

Survival Apnea Courses for Surf Enthusiasts

Starting on your own at home is an excellent way to begin your apnea journey, but nothing is going to be more effective – or safe – than investing in a Survival Apnea course. Under trained instruction, you will develop skills far more rapidly and, when you begin your wet training – in a pool or the open ocean – you will be expertly taught with professionals always on hand should anything occur or you panic.

AWAVE Travel has partnered with one of the world leaders in Surf Apnea Training – Augusto Vargas, to offer free access for 7 days to their Ocean Resilience Program – click here for more information!

This is the perfect introduction to apnea training and will improve your confidence and performance in the water!

Conclusion and Medical Precautions for Surf Apnea Training

So whether you just count the seconds while lying on your bed or take the plunge and invest in a Survival Apnea course, learning how to breathe – or more importantly, how not to – could be the simple trick you need to take your surfing into new realms, bigger waves, and with greater confidence.

Medical Warning: Apnea, even in its simplest form, can be dangerous. If you have respiratory conditions, heart conditions, high blood pressure, or other underlying issues, consult a medical professional before undertaking any form of breath training. Always practice apnea in a safe environment and ONLY practice wet training with a trained professional.

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Customer Reviews

AWAVE Travel

Customer Reviews

Omar AlJammaz 03/07/23

TrustPilot
Great travel options, great customer support, simplifying planing process.
Looking forward for my next trip.

Nina Ross 03/08/23

TrustPilot
Awesome holiday to Hudhuranfushi. Giulia was very helpful and quick to respond and overall we were very impressed with Awave Travel.
Lohi's is a private, on site, awesome left hander that just kept giving. Also had options of 2 daily surf boat trips that went to other local breaks such as Sultans, Ninja's, Cokes, Jails. The surf team are amazing and we scored great waves the whole time we were there.
Stayed in a Sunset family beach villa which was perfect for a family of 4, then upgraded for the last 3 nights to Ocean Villas, both great for different reasons!
Island staff are so helpful and welcoming, and there's a good variety of food options available. Lots of other things to do such as paddleboarding, jet ski-ing, spa treatments, yoga and amazing snorkelling - with sharks, turtles and rays! We also hired bikes to get around and do morning surf checks!
An amazing trip, thank you Awave and Hudhuranfushi!

Seb Speck 25/06/23

TrustPilot
We had an amazing time on the Mentawai islands booked through Awave Travel.
Giulia was very helpful and available at all times during the booking process. And we had the best time on the Mentawais on the Maki Boat. The staff were amazing. Raul the surf guide was very helpful, friendly and coached us on the waves. Kaique the photographer produced top quality pictures and videos from the water, boat and drone.
Overall very happy and would highly recommend it.

Tom Ward 18/06/23

TrustPilot
We charted Seafarer for a 10 day trip in the Maldives. We booked with AWAVE about 12 months before. James was super helpful, really responsive and just easy to deal with. We even made a very last minute change to go to the central atolls which he arranged pretty much straight away. The trip itself was unreal, great surf, amazing wildlife and scenery. If you’re thinking about a surf charter, do it and book through these guys!

Natasha Gronski 06/08/23

TrustPilot
Awave Travel is the best surf travel agency I have ever booked! They are very professional and responsive to my inquiries and are able to match me with a surf trip appropriate to my interests and skill level. They have an outstanding relationship and reputation with the resorts that they work with, which makes a difference in the consumer experience. Above all, the Awave staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about the areas they recommend, as they have actually surfed the spots and stayed at the resorts. For anyone who wants a hassle-free, no worries, relaxing and fun surf adventure, Awave Travel is the way to go!

David 05/29/23

TrustPilot
8 of us stayed at Hudhuranfushi for my 50th birthday celebration. The resort and services were amazing. James and the team at AWAVE stayed in contact from the beginning to end to ensure we had everything we needed. Great experience. Definitely looking forward to booking our next trip with AWAVE in the near future.

Alexandra Franz 05/31/23

TrustPilot
We spent amazing days in Morocco in Amouage. Was an amazing stay and the full surf package offered by AWAVE was great.
All the people were very nice and coaches were amazing. Booking was very smooth, answered all my questions and they took care of everything.
I took the coaching package and had a great time and learning. The teacher was great, very patient and explained everything very nice and calm. Felt safe all the time and had a lot of fun as well.
My boyfriend had the guiding package and he also had a great time. He was always taken to the spots that fitted his level and enjoyed the full when conditions were nice.

Alex Reuter 05/22/23

TrustPilot
We stayed at Ayada in Maldives and I can't be more complimentary of AWAVE! Awesome and patient advise over whatsapp on which resort to go to with extremely details local knowledge on surf conditions, wave spots, resort quality, which atolls to go to, etc. I followed their recommendation and it was spot on. Easy booking on short notice before the trip, can't thank James enough!

Stewart Cropp 05/19/23

TrustPilot
Our remarkable trip was 12 months in the planning.it was awkward to organize because there was so many people coming and going over our two week chartered cruise.
I can’t speak highly enough of AWAVE and more to the point ,the wonderful Giulia Manfrini. She is so caring and sweet and far above and beyond any travel consultant that I have ever worked with
Thankyou Giulia for all your prompt answers to my gazillion questions
You are “Simply the best”.
Now onto the Carpe Diem
The trip of a lifetime was had by all 20 of us
The Captain and crew worked tirelessly to pander to our every whim
They would not allow us to lift a finger
Our Barmen Shawn and Cook ( still can’t pronounce his name ) were superb, the food was first class and varied and the alcohol flowed like a river
Our Surf guide “Seppe” found waves for us every day except for two while we travelled deep into the central Attols
We were greatful for the rest
We snorkeled with the sharks and visited uninhabited Islands spent an afternoon being spoiled at a high class resort .
All in all an Awsome trip

Diane 05/11/23

TrustPilot
James helped us organize our trip in April for my partner and I in the Mentawai.
First, lets discuss the service : James was super clear and reactive. We received a list of resorts with different price ranges and he provided all the elements for us to decide based on our needs and budget. We felt very supported for the organization and we even received so advices few days before leaving for packing.
I was a bit afraid as i'm not a good surfer so i reach out many times to understand how I could still try and learn and James always replied very quick and with all the info i need.
Then when we arrive : it was super well organized, everything went smooth and we fell in love with the place and people. We can tell they really worked on their resort selection and travel organization and we trust our next adventure will be as qualitative.
Already recommended their service ;).
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