Freediving gaining traction among fitness enthusiasts, particularly women

Freediving is a sport gaining traction among fitness enthusiasts, particularly women, who are seeking a sense of freedom.

Willow Berry

2 min read

July 7, 2025 - 10:07AM

Sydney freedivers, Emily Deans (left) and Jasmine Brinsmead pictured in Gordons Bay, near Coogee. Picture: Eddy Price

NSW

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Forget fitness trackers, pilates or even run club, freediving has begun to surface.

The sport, which involves diving deep underwater without a dive tank or other breathing apparatus, is growing in popularity among harbour city fitness fans.

Searches for ‘best freediving fins’, freediving wetsuit’ and ‘fins freediving’ have all doubled within the past five years, according to Google Trends data.

Immersion Freediving instructor Emily Dean has found the sport’s popularity is “booming” especially among women.

“The desire for connection is drawing in a strong female crowd,” Ms Dean said.

“The sport’s appeal lies in its inherent equality — you don’t need to be the fittest, fastest, or biggest.

“That aspect is what drew me in, and has attracted many others, we’re all supported by a community where individuals connect and share their journeys.

Sydney freedivers, Emily Deans (red wetsuit) and Jasmine Brinsmead pictured in Gordons Bay, near Coogee this week. Picture: Eddy Price

Ms Dean started freediving two years earlier herself, but it wasn’t as simple as diving into the deep blue with her snorkel and flippers.

“It began with my mental health journey. I needed a new sport and a way to connect with a community … I was looking for something to test my resilience in a healthy way that also applied to everyday life,” she said.

Sydney freediver Jasmine Brinsmead pictured in Gordons Bay. Picture: Eddy Price

“I had a massive fear of sharks … but it became exposure therapy for my anxieties, and through the sport, I was able to confront my fears and gain a whole new perspective of the underwater world.”

Sydney freediver Jasmine Brinsmead pictured near Coogee. Picture: Eddy Price

Jasmine Brinsmead, 27, who works alongside Dean as an operations manager at Immersion Freediving, said she too started freediving to experience the ocean differently.
“I experienced a sense of freedom I’d never felt before. It’s almost meditative and calming, yet you’re physically testing your body to its limits,” Ms Brinsmead said.

“The interactions with marine life are incredible and without a tank, you feelmore connected to them.”

Descending deep into the ocean’s depths mean it's not for the faint-hearted, but the pair have gone on to dive across the world, including the Maldives and Galapos Island, and now teach freediving safety courses to others keen to give it a go.

Ms Dean said for those considering taking the plunge, to go “all in.”