French freediver holds workshops in Cebu

TWO-TIME freediving world champion Guillaume Néry is in the Philippines conducting freediving workshops, which are aimed to promote the said water sports and at the same time showcase the country's beautiful diving spots.

The French freediver is set to hold workshops in Moalboal town in Southern Cebu from August 4 to 6. He already conducted training in Mactan last July 15 to 17.

Freediving is a water sport that relies on the diver’s ability to hold their breath until resurfacing, as opposed to scuba diving that requires the use of tank of air or other external breathing devices. Freedivers take one deep breath, plunge into the water, dive as deep as they can with no tanks or air, and come back up again.

Néry, who was recently named as the Philippine freediving ambassador by the Department of Tourism, said he will be exploring some of the country’s diving destinations - Cebu, Bohol, and Palawan - that are fast becoming popular to freedivers for its deep, warm and clear waters.

Néry will also visit Davao where an expansive community of Badjaos tribe can be found. He will be filming a short documentary on the lives of these sea-dwelling people who are considered the "guardians of the sea"

“The reason why I believe that the Philippines can become and has the potential to become the freediving capital of Asia, because of its warm waters all year round. As freedivers we not only dive for depth but we also need warm waters. The Philippine is full of treasures, full of incredible marine life and that what makes the place attractive also for freedivers,” Néry said in a press conference on Wednesday, July 19, at the Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu.

DOT Undersecretary Benito Bengzon, who was also present during the press conference, said that freediving is a potential sports attraction in the Philippines. (SunStar Philippines)

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