![\"\"](\"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_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_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},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"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":10134,"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p59VZb-1jL","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":114525,"url":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/2026-cmas-open-internacional-freediving-indoor-santa-marta-500-colombia\/","url_meta":{"origin":5069,"position":0},"title":"\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddf4 2026 CMAS Open Internacional Freediving Indoor Santa Marta 500+ Colombia","author":"sportalsub","date":"July 10, 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":106572,"url":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/australian-freediving-national-pool-championships-afa-cmas-cairns-coast-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":5069,"position":1},"title":"\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa Results – AFA CMAS National Pool Championships Freediving 2025 – Cairns Coast, Australia","author":"sportalsub","date":"November 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"(Sportalsub.net \/ AFA) The Australian Freediving Association and the Cairns Coast Freedivers Club hosted the AFA CMAS National Pool Championships from\u00a0Fri 14 to Mon 17 November, 2025 at Tobruk Memorial Pool\u00a0in Cairns. This competition was conducted under CMAS rules and was open to all AFA members regardless of their nationality.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Australia"","block_context":{"text":"Australia","link":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/category\/where\/oceania\/australia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/australian-freediving-nationals-cmas-2025-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/australian-freediving-nationals-cmas-2025-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/australian-freediving-nationals-cmas-2025-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/australian-freediving-nationals-cmas-2025-1.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":2},"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":79845,"url":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/cmas-world-cup-freediving-roatan-2024\/","url_meta":{"origin":5069,"position":3},"title":"\ud83c\udded\ud83c\uddf3 Canceled – CMAS World Cup Freediving Depth 2024 – Roat\u00e1n, Honduras","author":"sportalsub","date":"July 3, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"(Sportalsub.net \/ CMAS \/ Roatan Freedivers) - Leer en Espa\u00f1ol EVENT CANCELED The CMAS FREEDIVING WORLD CUP - DEPTH SERIES is envisioned as a premier CMAS worldwide freediving event that unites athletes from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and nations. The World Cup Depth Series will serve as a platform to promote\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\/2024\/03\/roatan2024cmas.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/roatan2024cmas.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/roatan2024cmas.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/roatan2024cmas.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6209,"url":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/aida-introduces-first-aid-course-designed-for-freedivers\/","url_meta":{"origin":5069,"position":4},"title":"\ud83c\udf0e AIDA Introduces First Aid Course Designed for Freedivers","author":"sportalsub","date":"August 27, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"(Sportalsub.net \/ AIDA International) - Leer en Espa\u00f1ol The\u00a0International Association for the Development of Apnea (AIDA) is pleased to announce the launch of the FEMR (Freediving Emergency Medical Responder) course, a new first aid course that includes a special emphasis on freediving-related medicine. While traditional first aid\/CPR courses contain useful\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/category\/when\/featured\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/aida-femr1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/aida-femr1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/aida-femr1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/aida-femr1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14284,"url":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/ocean-men-pelizzari-pipin\/","url_meta":{"origin":5069,"position":5},"title":"\ud83c\udfa5 Ocean Men: Challenge in the Deep with Umberto Pelizzari and Pipin Ferreras, extended version","author":"sportalsub","date":"April 19, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"(Sportalsub.net \/ OceanMen) - Leer en espa\u00f1ol OCEAN MEN takes you on a giant screen adventure into the world of two freedivers and their unique relationship to the sea. Pipin Ferreras and Umberto Pelizzari compente for the world record in free-diving; the physiological effects of free-diving. Amazing Documentary\/Film about free-diving.\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\/2020\/04\/oceanmen.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/oceanmen.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/oceanmen.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/oceanmen.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.sportalsub.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/bajaufreedivers.jpg","_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}]}}