The 10 Best Freediving Books

Read all about the Romances, the Passion and Drama of Freediving!

The 10 Best Freediving Books

Why do people read books? There are many different answers. Reading dares us to grow. Books take us beyond our world, enriching it at the same time. Reading challenges our perspectives, giving the proofs of our beliefs or offering the opportunity to understand some points of view that we do not really agree with. Reading is also a refreshing activity that renews our energy and elevates our mood. If you are interested in freediving, check our list of The 8 Best Freediving Books and choose the book for you.

 

The 10 Best Books about Freediving!

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Manual of Freediving by Umberto Pelizzari

Our list starts with the two must-read books by Umberto Pelizzari, the famous Italian sportsman, champion, and teacher in freediving. As described in our article about the history of freediving, he during his life has set many freediving world records exploring the human in the deep water. Manual of Freediving is the first book we want to recommend, as it’s considered as Bible by many freedivers. The format of the manual helps you to easily find what you are looking for. Being the only book of its kind, it is considered as the industry standard. Designed not specifically to entertain but rather to educate, the book starts with an interesting overview of the history of the sport. You also can find many details of the physiology involved, special finning techniques, and efficient training suggestions. It also includes useful drawings of underwater and onshore exercises to improve lung capacity. This book can be the perfect stepping stone to guide beginners and also must be on the shelf of every serious freediver.

Manual of Freediving by Umberto Pelizzari

Deeply by Umberto Pelizzari

The second book of the same author tells its readers the story of Pelizzari’s life, his way beyond his own limits forward to the world records. In this book, you find deep inner sensations of the author, philosophy, adventures, funny moments, as well as stunning descriptions of beautiful places and sea creatures. Follow the sportsman on his way to know more about freediving.

The 3rd book Umberto wrote is called ‘Specific Training for Freediving – Deep, Static and Dynamic Apnea’, which is also a brilliant book, but it’s purely about training techniques and might not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you practise freediving or did a freediving course and want to become better, it’s highly recommended too.

Deeply by Umberto Pelizzari

Homo Delphinus: The Dolphin Within Man by Jacques Mayol

Jacques Mayol is the world-famous diver, the first man who went 100 meters deep. His unique life, experience, and spiritual philosophy became the inspiration for some movies, including the cult film of Luc Besson, “The Big Blue” (Check our list of the best freediving movies). This beautiful book tells the story of an extraordinary man and his love for the sea and dolphins. There are also about 300 stunning photos of historical and geographical interest from the author’s private archive. Just breathe in the love and inspiration that the book is full of.

Homo Delphinus: The Dolphin Within Man by Jacques Mayol

Want to Learn More About Freediving or Start Yourself?

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Freediving is an incredible sport, and it’s amazing what the human body can do. Message us today and submerge yourself in a beautiful world in one breath!

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The Last Attempt: The true story of freediving champion Audrey Mestre and the mystery of her death by Carlos Serra

This book is a tragic and mysterious story based on real life. For some, it is an investigation, almost a detective story, for others – going to the backstage of world records and championships, and for some – the chance to say goodbye again and honour the memory of the great athlete. Audrey Mestre was a French world record-setting freediver. In October 2002, she died in an attempt to break the world record. Thousands of eyes were following her career with support, with envy. But what was her way? And what happened on the day of her tragic death? Her close friend Carlos Serra, the author of the book, held a thorough investigation. And in this book, he tells you the whole story as it actually occurred.

The Last Attempt by Carlos Serra

Breatheology: The Art of Conscious Breathing by Stig Avall Severinsen

Have you ever wondered how important breathing is for people? In the hustle and bustle of passing days, we often do not give ourselves time to think about it. However, breathing is our life, what nourishes us with oxygen, gives us the energy to move forward and higher and deeper. “Those who breathe half live half,” says the cover of the book, written by Stig Severinsen. Using deep knowledge of yoga and physiology, this truly unique person wrote the book, which can be interesting not only for freedivers. It teaches breathing techniques for different purposes and contains advice on how to deal with stress and get more energy. It can help you change your lifestyle to a healthier, happier, and more efficient one.

Breatheology by Stig Avall Severinsen

Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves by James Nestor

This one is an exciting non-fiction narrative book written by James Nester, a journalist and a prolific writer. It takes us into the ocean world, allows us to meet its unique inhabitants, and introduces the incredible world of freediving. Experienced freedivers may find it a little shallow and hyped-up, but those who are just getting started will find many interesting facts. The book is full of sincere admiration that the author feels from meeting freedivers for ordinary people’s unthinkable abilities. It is written in vivid language and easy to read, almost in one breath.

Deep by James Nestor

One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits by Adam Skolnick

One breath is a dramatic story about the life and death of Nicholas Mevoli. He was the first athlete to die in an international freediving competition. Nicholas was a young American freediver, a rising star. He began his sports career less than two years before the tragic event at the Vertical Blue competition at Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas. And this book tells how freediving shaped him but eventually destroyed him. It tries to show the motives that drove the sportsman, the inner forces of his soul.

One Breath by Adam Skolnick

Want to Learn More About Freediving or Start Yourself?

Send us a message via the following form, and our team will reply within a few hours.

At the same time, we’ll subscribe you to the Freedive Academy iMagazine, and every two weeks, we’ll send you an email with news and schedules for courses and online (free) events that everyone can join.

Freediving is an incredible sport, and it’s amazing what the human body can do. Message us today and submerge yourself in a beautiful world in one breath!

Freediving SSI Level 1 Course
Molchanovs Wave 1 Certification
Freediving SSI Level 2 Course
Monofin Speciality Course

Fill in the form now – no strings. We have a great team of people who are all more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

Name*

Oxygen: A Memoir by William Trubridge

Very insightful book on everything that William Trubridge has gone through on his way to world records. The author is a New Zealand champion and world record-holding freediver. His book is about freediving and full of many beautiful descriptions of the underwater world, yoga, and related spiritual practices. A beautifully written, informative, and entertaining story can interest people fond of freediving and those who know nothing about the sport.

Oxygen by William Trubridge

Neutral Buoyancy: Adventures in a Liquid World by Tim Ecott

We were thinking a lot if we could add this book to our list of The Best Freediving Books because the book also has a lot of information about scuba diving and ocean exploration. And eventually, we did it! The book is worth it. It became a favourite reading for many divers. Tim Ecott is a reporter and has been writing for numerous prestigious international magazines and papers. He tells the reader the history of underwater exploration and the rise of diving culture, mixing it with many funny stories from his own and the other divers’ experience. With rich and exquisite language, Ecott also weaves his personal beliefs into the story to make people feel the book’s true magic.

Neutral Buoyancy by Tim Ecott

Do you want to learn how to freedive or have questions, please contact us anytime? Also, do contact us if you want to join any of our courses. We teach freediving courses in the Philippines, but we also teach freediving online via nice and entertaining Zoom classes almost every week. The same goes for our freedive instructor courses that we teach every few weeks online – we offer different options, but they are fun and entertaining.