My path to freediving is a bit unique compared to many others in the sport. Despite growing up in Northern Canada surrounded by lakes, my affinity for the water didn't initially manifest in diving, snorkeling, or extensive water activities. Instead, I found solace in simply sitting by the lakeside, embracing the tranquility it offered.

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Everything changed when I first encountered the ocean in Costa Rica back in 2017. The first touch of saltwater ignited something profound within me. It felt like a long-awaited reunion, a deep connection with an elemental part of myself. And in 2021, my wife and I made Costa Rica our permanent home, with the ocean and jungle becoming our new sanctuary.

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My journey initially revolved around surfing, a passion that fueled my early days here. However, circumstances led us to an area without the surf breaks I'd grown accustomed to. Disheartened initially, I turned to paddleboarding on the serene Golfo Dulce. Every sunrise session became a meditation, a communion with the still waters that mirrored the tranquility I cherished from my Canadian upbringing, and it wasn’t long before I forgot all about surfing.

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Surrounded by dolphins and occasionally graced by the presence of humpback whales, these moments on the gulf began to feel like a return to the serenity of my childhood waterside musings.

 

It was a subtle evolution during these paddleboard excursions that transformed everything. What began as refreshing dips off my board and gazing underwater while laying on the surface, evolved into a fascination with the ocean's depths. Peering down, I felt captivated by the abyss, drawn to explore not just the ocean's floor but the depths within myself.

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Enrolling in a freediving course became the pivotal point in my journey. From the very first training session, I sensed a profound shift, an awakening of a passion I hadn't known existed. I knew from the moment I first discovered freediving that I’d be embarking upon a journey that would change my life forever. Beyond the thrill of challenging deeper dives, it was the peace and calm cultivated during training that resonated deeply with me. Freediving opened doors to a new realm of stillness and serenity, transforming not just my time in the water but my life outside it.

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Remarkably, it sparked a seismic shift in my lifestyle. Freediving illuminated a path away from substance abuse, effortlessly guiding me toward a healthier, more vibrant existence. It wasn't a conscious decision to quit; it was an organic detachment as my focus shifted toward this newfound passion.

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Freediving is now my cornerstone, my guiding light. It's a journey I'm compelled to share because I believe in its transformative and healing power. Embracing its challenges nurtures patience and a gentle relationship with oneself, fostering a beautiful mind-body connection—immersing us, quite literally, in the liquid world from which we all emerged.

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We're born from a liquid world, shaped within the waters of the womb. Each of us once held our breath while immersed in water, experiencing that pivotal moment when we took our very first breath upon entering this world. It's a reflection of the freediving experience—feeling reborn after each dive, as if echoing the profound act of birth itself.

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I truly hope to see you in the water! It would be an honor to share these transformative moments with you. Let's embrace the depths of this epic journey into the blue.

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Chris Hanhimaki