These divers of a particular kind share a common passion: freediving. A sport, certainly, but also a true art of living. Karen, Lucille, Rémy, and Sylvain have chosen to pass on their expertise and essential safety rules of this discipline, thus training the freedivers of tomorrow.
Sylvain Bes: Exploration and Sharing at the Heart of Freediving
« I’ve always wanted to bring people into the water with me, to explore and share experiences together, » confides Sylvain Bes. His first experiences were shared with his brother Fabrice, exploring the waters of Marseillan (Hérault) in search of razor clams, cuttlefish, and turbot.
Today, Sylvain is a freediving instructor certified by AIDA (1), FFESSM (2), and SSI (3). He founded his own school, Omniblue, in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer (Var), with a simple motto: the blue for everyone!
For Sylvain, freediving is an escape from modern frenzy. « Freediving is a way to fight against the speed of life. This sport allows you to slow down, not to go faster than the music. I try to convey well-being through breathing and the sensations experienced in the water. I take my time. »
His days begin with 45 minutes of yoga, starting at 8:00 am. These moments of calm allow him to gauge the participants’ mindset and adapt the approach accordingly. « This gives us benchmarks to guide people in the water. »
He then offers a mix of yoga, pranayama (breath control), and sophrology, thus working on both body and mind. « I give them my personal recipe: a body awareness, ribcage stretches, and conscious breathing. » Specific postures improve flexibility for finning, while visualization and self-hypnosis boost self-confidence. « It’s better to work on self-confidence and compensation techniques on dry land before going into water that can be cold and agitated, » explains Sylvain, who particularly appreciates the connection with nature.
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