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I studied Social and then Visual Anthropology at Manchester
University before a career as a film writer director.
Freediving was just a dream until 2001 when I discovered
it was possible to learn in the UK.
I competed between 2003 and 2006, coming 3rd
in the 2003 UK Championships, 3rd in the 2006 Swiss
Championships and 2nd in the 2004 Kalymnos
International Championships despite being the only female in the
competition!
I became an instructor in 2003 and have spent the last nine
years teaching courses worldwide and building the DeeperBlue.com education system.
I am a founding member of the AIDA International Education Commission,
setting course guidelines and standards and writing all the AIDA courses for Instructors worldwide, and
have written the unique ‘Gas Guzzler’ course designed to help
scuba divers with their breathing underwater, and a spearfishing and safety skills course. I chaired the British
Freediving Association between 2004 and 2006, designing the world's first
freediving log book, and overseeing design and
implementation of the freediving platform at Vobster
Quay in Somerset and have given talks about freediving all over the world including at the Emirates Palace in Dubai and at the Royal Society in London.
As well as my work in freediving
education, I am also a Primary Care (CPR) and Secondary Care (First Aid)
Instructor Trainer, AIDA International Judge, practicing Reflexologist, a qualified Yoga
and pregnancy Yoga teacher and Hypnobirthing practitioner.
I have also combined my knowledge of Freediving and Yoga to
work with athletes across several disciplines to improve their breathing and performance, and with
people confronting physical or psychological challenges to their
breathing.
After seven years writing films, I am now the author of a
book entitled 'One Breath, a
reflection on freediving.' It
is a history and a collection of stories about the sport, accompanied by
stunning photographs taken by Fred Buyle. To
find out more about the book and to buy copies, click
here!
I have also appeared numerous times on television, radio
and in print publicising freediving. My latest appearance is in early 2012 on 'The Hidden Talent Show' on Channel 4. In this programme I devised tests to discover a member of the general public with a hidden talent for freediving and then trained them up. Other recent appearances include BBC 'Britain's Secrret Seas' where I swam with seals off the Frane Islands and discussed the similarities and differences between humans and
marine mammals and Channel 4’s ‘River Cottage.’ Find out more
and watch it here!
For me, freediving is the most
incredible thing. It brings peace and stillness to my frenetic life and makes
me incredibly happy. My desire is that, through education, people's
perceptions of freediving can change from
seeing it as an 'extreme' sport to viewing it as a peaceful and beautiful
way to connect with ourselves and the world around us.
I live in the West Country, south of Bath in the UK.
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©
Simon Reid 
