For me, that place is found deep below the surface, in the still, cold waters of Comox Lake. Freediving, when done with intention, isn’t just a sport—it’s a state of presence unlike anything else I’ve experienced. As a freediver and instructor of the sport in the Comox Valley, I often visit the depths of our glacier lake to escape the noise and hustle of everyday life.
What a Cold Water Freedive in Comox Lake Feels Like
I begin by slowly breathing with my abdomen, allowing my body to float naturally at the surface as I connect with the rhythm of the water. I scan my body for tension, releasing it piece by piece, while letting go of any thought not tied to the slow in and out of my breath. This is my preparation phase.
“I no longer use any energy, but surrender to the laws of physics as my body is gently pulled deeper toward the bottom of the lake.”
After a few minutes, once I feel melted into the surface of the lake, I take my final breath. I inhale slowly through my mouth—first into my belly, then my ribcage, and finally into my chest and upper back. When I’ve filled my lungs with about six litres of air, I plunge below the surface.
As I descend, the pressure of the lake shrinks the air volume in my lungs, allowing me to reach neutral buoyancy and later negative buoyancy, entering what we in the freediving community call the “free fall.” I no longer use any energy, but surrender to the laws of physics as my body is gently pulled deeper toward the bottom of the lake. Strange? Scary? For me, and many other freedivers, it’s the best part of the dive.
Once I reach my target depth on the dive line, a minute or two later, I begin my return to the surface.
Finally, I reach positive buoyancy around 10 metres and slowly let my body float back to the surface. I exhale fully and take four deep recovery breaths. I smile. “I’m okay,” I say to my safety buddy (I always have a safety buddy who watches from the surface and will sometimes ascend the last ten metres with me.) Few things feel as good as that first breath back at the surface—warm, full, and earned.
“Few things feel as good as that first breath back at the surface—warm, full, and earned.”
The science behind freediving and why it is so rewarding
When a human freedives, a chain of physiological responses, known as the Mammalian Dive Response, kicks in. The heart rate slows and blood begins to shift away from the limbs toward the core to preserve oxygen (a process called peripheral vasoconstriction). As we descend deeper, blood flows into our lungs’ capillaries, protecting the ribcage from the increase in pressure—just like it does in whales, seals, and otters. This is known as blood shift. At a certain point in the dive, or after multiple dives, the spleen may contract and send more red blood cells into the blood stream, allowing us to remain functional under water longer.
Neuroscience suggests that freediving to depth can shift brain activity away from the Default Mode Network (DMN), the region linked to self-talk and mind-wandering, into a state of quiet, present-moment awareness free of distraction. Freedivers often describe this as a “flow state,” that brings a surprising sense of peace. For many, the suppression of DMN activity is what continues to bring them back under water.
Aside from offering access to the flow state, freediving is most importantly about community and friendships. In the Comox Valley and around Vancouver Island, the sport is thriving, and each diver has their own reason to love it.
Freediving Vancouver Island: Local stories
Tim, the photographer for this article, first discovered freediving while travelling in South Africa, where he was born. He was immediately hooked. “I’m often going on spearfishing trips with my friends,” he says, “but these days I’m carrying the camera instead of a speargun.”
Len’s passion began in childhood, diving for crabs and lost fishing hooks. “I always had a fear of deep water—the unknown darkness beneath me,” he explains. “I needed to see and explore everywhere I swam. Freediving helped me face that fear and opened up a world of sheer beauty.”
Farai says, “Some of my favourite dive spots are lakes or oceans surrounded by towering mountains. There’s something magical about these places that remind me how small we are in nature, yet deeply connected to it.” She adds, “I love the contrast between the stillness of breath-holds and the mental strength it requires. It challenges the mind as much as the body.”
Jillian, who grew up in landlocked Alberta and struggled with swimming early on, never imagined she’d find such a deep sense of home in the water. Her journey into freediving began during her years as a dolphin trainer, where she learned to hold her breath and connect with these conscious breathers in their natural world. She went on to train with elite freedivers, dance underwater with wild dolphins, and discover a profound sense of presence beneath the surface. Now based in the Pacific Northwest, she teaches freediving and continues to be inspired by the ocean, its inhabitants, and the transformative experiences it brings.
Some freediving tips
Freediving, while deeply rewarding, is not without its risks. That’s why the most important rule taught by instructors is: Never dive alone. While not too many rules are associated with freediving, there are other important rules to follow when practicing the sport, especially when going deeper.
If the idea of going deep speaks to you—whether it’s to glide down a line into Comox Lake or to explore reefs and ocean life—I highly recommend taking a course with a certified instructor.
Whether you’re diving for peace, challenge, or beauty, the blissful depths have something to offer you. Just don’t go alone—go prepared and go with care.
At Comox Freediving, we offer structured training in breathing techniques, equalization, and the core disciplines of freediving, all designed to help you explore safely, mindfully, and with confidence.
