![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/bajaufreedivers.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
(Sportalsub.net)<\/p>\n
Freediving is the act of holding your breath while swimming down into the ocean. When someone says \u201cfreediving\u201d your mind may picture tough athletes impressively swimming into the deep trenches of the ocean, perhaps even running on the ocean floor<\/a>, similar to deep water runnning<\/a>. However, you are dubbed as a freediver each time you swim down to explore our underwater world too. Not all freedivers are athletes, though if this particular indigenous group of people were to compete \u2013 We are sure they would be the top athletes in freediving around the globe. Read more to find out who The Best Freedivers in the World<\/em> are.<\/p>\n Have you ever heard of the Bajau\u2019s? Based on islands near Indonesia, this indigenous group of people is sure to impress you. But what is it that is so special about them? They can hold their breaths up to 13 minutes at a time<\/a> underwater in strenuous conditions. If they aren\u2019t called superheros, we don\u2019t know who should be.<\/p>\n Otherwise known as \u201csea nomads\u201d, the Bajau\u2019s are great explorers who have been wandering Southern Asia\u2019s waters for many generations \u2013 travelling and living in their houseboats, with fish that they have caught while freediving, as their main form of sustenance. The great extent of how long they could hold their breaths for was only recently discovered.<\/p>\n Cambridge University released a study whereby they discussed the reason the Bajau\u2019s could hold their breath for so long. It seems as though the Bajau can credit their superhero breath holding skills to their spleens<\/em>, which are 50% larger than the average humans. The spleen plays a primary role in \u201chuman dive response\u201d or \u201cdive reflex\u201d \u2013 which distributes oxygen supply to the heart and brain preferentially thereby allowing them to stay underwater for long time periods.<\/p>\n Melissa Ilardo who is the study leader, suggests that this has been seen before when studying deep diving seals who also have spleens which are not proportionate in size. If it happens with the seals, it is no surprise that that this same selection could happen with humans.<\/p>\n After a genetic analysis on the Bajau, it was discovered that they are lacking PDE10A, a gene believed to be the cause of their enlarged spleens. Considering that they spend up to 60% of their days in the water, diving to depths of 70 meters with hand-made wooden goggles, it is understandable that their group would have evolved in this direction.<\/p>\n The Bajau case sounds similar to that of the \u201cSea Gypsies\u201d \u2013 Moken people who live on the coasts of Burma and Thailand \u2013 who have developed advanced underwater vision, which allows them to see even at depths of 22 meters when searching for tiny shellfish and other food in the ocean.<\/p>\n Are you impressed? Learn more about the Bajau people here.<\/a> Have you ever tried to hold your breath for long periods of time, landing up light headed and gasping for air as if you had just run a mile? The Bajau people are impressive athletes for doing what they do. If you are interested in easier sports, which involve breathing actual air, you can join now to bet on sports<\/a> instead.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" (Sportalsub.net) Freediving is the act of holding your breath while swimming down into the ocean. When someone says \u201cfreediving\u201d your mind may picture tough athletes impressively swimming into the deep trenches of the ocean, perhaps even running on the ocean floor, similar to deep water runnning. However, you are dubbed as a freediver each time you swim down to explore […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5070,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[55,9,81,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5069","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-freediving","category-indonesia","category-spearfishing"],"modified_by":"sportalsub","views":9917,"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/bajaufreedivers.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p59VZb-1jL","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":105638,"url":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/freediving-the-show-must-go-on\/","url_meta":{"origin":5069,"position":0},"title":"\ud83c\udf0d CMAS Outdoor World Freediving Championships 2025: The show must go on?","author":"sportalsub","date":"September 9, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"(Sportalsub.net) Leer en Espa\u00f1ol The freediving world has been rocked once again by an event that has called into question the safety of athletes and the continuity of high-level competitions. A recent incident, reported by the friendly website DeeperBlue.com, has sparked a crucial debate: to what extent does the desire\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Freediving"","block_context":{"text":"Freediving","link":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/category\/what\/freediving\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/apnea-continuar.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/apnea-continuar.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/apnea-continuar.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/apnea-continuar.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":112946,"url":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/cmas-freediving-world-cup-poland-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":5069,"position":1},"title":"\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf1 Results – CMAS Freediving World Cup Pool Indoor 2026. Lodz, Poland","author":"sportalsub","date":"March 16, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"(Sportalsub.net \/ CMAS \/ PZF) \u2013\u00a0Leer en Espa\u00f1ol The 2026 CMAS World Cup Freediving Indoor \u0141\u00f3d\u017a was held from 13.03. to 15.03.2026. The venue for the competition will be Zatoka Sportu, Akademickie Centrum Sportowo-Dydaktyczne 90-924 \u0141\u00f3d\u017a, al. Politechniki 10. OFFICIAL RESULTS LIVE VIDEO - CMAS TV LIVE RESULTS - FREEDIVE\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Freediving"","block_context":{"text":"Freediving","link":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/category\/what\/freediving\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cmaspolandfreediving2026.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cmaspolandfreediving2026.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cmaspolandfreediving2026.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cmaspolandfreediving2026.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":114525,"url":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/2026-cmas-open-internacional-freediving-indoor-santa-marta-500-colombia\/","url_meta":{"origin":5069,"position":2},"title":"\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddf4 2026 CMAS Open Internacional Freediving Indoor Santa Marta 500+ Colombia","author":"sportalsub","date":"March 20, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"(Sportalsub.net \/ FEDECAS \/ CMAS \/ CMAS Am\u00e9rica) Leer en Espa\u00f1ol The Federacion Colombiana de Actividades Subacuaticas (FEDECAS) with the agreement of CMAS, invite all interested Federations, Clubs and Athletes to participate in the 2026 CMAS Open International Freediving Indoor Santa Marta 500+ to be held from October 22nd to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Colombia"","block_context":{"text":"Colombia","link":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/category\/where\/america\/colombia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/freediving-santa-marta-2026.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/freediving-santa-marta-2026.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/freediving-santa-marta-2026.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/freediving-santa-marta-2026.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":102276,"url":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/cmas-america-freediving-mexico-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":5069,"position":3},"title":"\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfd CANCELED – CMAS Panamerican Championship Freediving Indoor 2025 \u2013 Playa del Carmen, M\u00e9xico","author":"sportalsub","date":"July 22, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"(Sportalsub.net \/ CMAS \/ CMAS Am\u00e9rica \/ FMAS) Leer en Espa\u00f1ol CANCELED EVENT The Mexican Federation of Underwater Activities FMAS is thrilled to invite athletes, coaches, and supporters from across the Americas federations to participate in the\u00a02025 CMAS PanAmerican Championship Freediving Indoor. This prestigious event will feature for both Men\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Freediving"","block_context":{"text":"Freediving","link":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/category\/what\/freediving\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/cancelado-apnea.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/cancelado-apnea.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/cancelado-apnea.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/cancelado-apnea.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19579,"url":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/top-7-must-read-freediving-books\/","url_meta":{"origin":5069,"position":4},"title":"\ud83d\udcd8 Top 7 Must-Read Freediving Books","author":"sportalsub","date":"January 8, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"(Sportalsub.net) - Leer En Espa\u00f1ol Freediving is a challenging and exhilarating sport. Whilst there is no replacement for official freediving courses and training, there are a number of brilliant books that can help you develop your skills, techniques and knowledge. Whether you\u2019re new to freediving or an advanced freediver already,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Freediving"","block_context":{"text":"Freediving","link":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/category\/what\/freediving\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/freedivingbooks.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/freedivingbooks.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/freedivingbooks.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/freedivingbooks.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":115141,"url":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/finswimming-freediving-cmas-brasil-2027\/","url_meta":{"origin":5069,"position":5},"title":"\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddf7 CMAS Pan American Championships of Finswimming and Freediving 2027 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil","author":"sportalsub","date":"March 16, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"(Sportalsub.net \/ CBES) - Leer en Espa\u00f1ol The Brazilian Confederation of Underwater Sports (CBES) has announced on its official Instagram account that Rio de Janeiro has been officially confirmed as the host city for the World Underwater Federation (CMAS) Pan American Championships for Freediving and Finswimming, to be held in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Brasil"","block_context":{"text":"Brasil","link":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/category\/where\/america\/brasil\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/finswimming-freediving-cmas-brasil-2027.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/finswimming-freediving-cmas-brasil-2027.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/finswimming-freediving-cmas-brasil-2027.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/finswimming-freediving-cmas-brasil-2027.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5069","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5069"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5069\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5070"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5069"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5069"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5069"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}