The 4th Dutch Open Freediving Pool competition has its first Emirian competitor this year, whose dream to freedive was realised just one year and half ago.

Hailing from Abu Dhabi, local businessman Adel Ali Abu Haleeqa, has been dreaming of holding his breath underwater since he was a kid. Adel tells Deeperblue “I had many dreams during my childhood that I was diving in the sea and breathing under water. In one of those dreams, I was standing on the stern of a boat with my eldest sister, just staring into the clear water, wishing I was diving. At her suggestion I jumped into the depths, but continued to breathe…”

It wasn’t until Adel turned 21 that he actually did begin to breathe underwater as a Scuba Diver, however he still felt his dream was not yet fulfilled.

In August 2005, while browsing the internet Adel saw the dives achieved by Patrick Musimu, and was immediately inspired. After much googling he found Deeperblue.com and also a posting in the forum looking for freedivers in Dubai. It was then that Adel met Sara-Lise Haith and commenced the battle to start freediving in the UAE, create awareness of the sport and also introduce courses. Emma Farrell arrived 7 months later, armed with manuals, noseclips, neti pots and a mountain of knowledge, and met with about 20 students, local and international. The Emirates Diving Association provided full support, and freediving in the UAE was underway.

The UAE freediving team, consisting of expatriates and locals, have been training together for almost a year. Adel was informed of the Dutch Apnea Open, which takes place this November in Eindhoven. This is Adel’s chance to win the 1st National Records ever in freediving for the United Arab Emirates, and his team, based in Abu Dhabi, are cheering him on.

Adel has one more month of training, in which he is doing wet and dry statics, yoga, pool training twice a week, and he is also taking swimming lessons using the monofin to improve his technique.  This is the first time an Emirian will take place in an international freediving competition outside of the UAE.

Adel’s supporters in the Emirates await his performance, with baited breath.

Photo by Lauren Lancaster, The National Newspaper

The next available course is on 18/19 June. A minimum of four students is required to run the course.

This course will be held at Divers Down, Khor Fakkan (Sharjah) on the East Coast. The dive centre is based at the Oceanic Hotel.

Course price is 1985DHS and includes training, student manual, boat dives and certification. It does not include equipment. I do have some equipment for rent (mask and long fins sizes 46/47 and 47/48).

To confirm your place on the course and in anticipation of your attendance I require:

1) Your full name

2) Full postal address

3) Contact telephone numbers

Please note that you will be required to provide your own freediving equipment. This should include the following items:

1) Wetsuit with hood, neoprene socks and gloves
2) Long freediving fins and/or monofin
3) Snorkel and low volume mask
4) Rubber weightbelt

If you do not have the equipment above and wish to purchase items then this can be arranged from visiting http://www.deeperblue.net/shopping/ or at Gulf Marine Sports (Abu Dhabi or Dubai). Call Firas 0504467956. You may also find gear at Hayaari, call Wassim Zein  +971 - (0)50 - 6215375 http://www.hayaarisub.com/

In addition you will require a Freediving lanyard which is available for rent from me. Please note, that if you have your own lanyard, it must be between 70 and 100 cm long with a non locking carabiner at one end and a one handed quick release shackle at the wrist end. Weight will be provided for you on the course.

I would also like to remind you of my booking and cancellation conditions. If you do not come to the course on the days booked for theory and pool you will be charged 100dhs. I need 48 hours notice prior to cancellation.

If you do not come to the course on the days of the boat dives, you will be charged 200dhs to cover the boat costs. I need 48 hours notice prior to cancellation.

If you can’t make the course and want to swap to a different date I can do this but require 1 week notice before the start of the course otherwise you will incur rescheduling or cancellation charges. If you need to reschedule or cancel then please me know immediately.

Furthermore, no places on the course will be confirmed without a 50% upfront payment to my bank account or to me in cash.

To sign up, I can be contacted on diva@divasindubai.com.