By Ananya Kashyap | Opening Doorz Editorial | August 29, 2024
Imagine descending into the silent, serene depths of the ocean, propelled solely by your breath. A world of vibrant marine life, hidden treasures, and overpowering tranquility awaits. This is the realm of freediving, a sport that demands both physical prowess and mental fortitude.
Meet Mario Fernandes, a Goan freediver who has shattered national records and etched India’s name on the global diving map. From his humble beginnings in Goa to conquering the depths of the ocean, Mario’s journey is evidence of human potential and the indomitable spirit of adventure.
Mario Fernandes created history between April and May of 2022 setting up Four National Records at the Aida Israel Pool Championship and Aida National Record Attempt (for Depth), thus putting India on the global diving map.
Opening Doorz to the life of this extraordinary athlete, exploring his passion for marine conservation, the challenges he’s overcome, and the lessons he’s learned from the depths.
Excerpts:
What challenges did you face during your record-setting dives in Israel?
While I was in my best form, in 2020 and 2021, I got COVID. This happened around the time I was planning my wedding. With so much going on and my health in a fragile state, we managed to find a sponsor. Despite the physical challenges, I was determined to reach my goal and compete for India. We set a date with the sponsor for June 2022, which meant heading to Israel in February right after my wedding to train with one of the world’s best freediving instructors, Aharon Solomons.
But a week before my wedding, my world changed. My challenges got harder, and my dream felt insignificant. My wife’s brother, to whom she is extremely attached, had a cardiac arrest on February 5th, and doctors were certain he wouldn’t make it. Watching someone I had grown close to go through such a tough experience, and seeing my wife fight so hard for her brother, was overwhelming. The emotional and mental pressure, combined with my physical weakness post-COVID, made me give up hope of representing India that year.
Did the thought of giving up cross your mind, considering that you were not in the best mental state, apart from physical form?
Giving up was never an option. Even with our struggles and her brother fighting for his life, my wife urged me to follow my dream. It was one of my hardest journeys. I reached Israel broken in every sense—emotionally, mentally, and physically. I had no clear plan, but I trusted the people who loved me, including my trainer, and mentor, Aharon Solomons.
What role did your trainer play in getting you mentally fit for the competition?
Upon reaching Israel Aharon Solomons took me under his wing and worked with me daily. I remember struggling to dive down even 30 meters—something I could easily do a few months prior. COVID-19 had taken a toll on my body and mind, compounded by personal life struggles. Aharon‘s teachings were invaluable. He advised me not to chase depth, but to enjoy freediving. He suggested not aiming for a high number on my first attempt to make freediving more accessible and reduce the pressure I was under. Despite these challenges, in May 2022, I set four national records for India.
That must have been satisfying for you as an athlete.
My records were not my best, but given all I had been through, I was thankful for a mentor who guided me toward achievable goals. What was satisfying for me was that these records opened up the potential for many more Indians to enter the sport. Since then, I have witnessed more Indians competing and setting new records. The ocean offers freedom and challenge to all, regardless of background, and freediving allows this experience to be accessible to everyone.
What or who was your inspiration behind wanting to put India on the global freediving map?
Despite a 7516 km coastline and a population of 1.39 billion people, India was missing from the global freediving map! After 10 years in the Andaman Islands, meeting world champions who came for yoga, I realized our untapped potential. I took the plunge into competitive freediving to put India on the map. If yoga can attract champs, imagine what our coastline can do! My true inspiration? The mighty ocean!
How did you first get into freediving?
Growing up just five minutes from the Calangute beach in Goa, the ocean was my playground and my comfort zone. As a kid, I’d hold my breath and peek under rocks for mussels to share with my family. Over time, mussel hunting turned to groupers, and I swapped bare hands for spearguns along the coast. My love for marine life pulled me deeper underwater, where I learned about our marine ecosystem and the need for sustainable fishing. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a freediver—to explore and protect my ocean.
Freediving is a sport that involves diving on a single breath to the depths of the ocean with no breathing apparatus. What are some challenges that come with the sport?
Freediving isn’t just about holding your breath—it’s about not freaking out when a fish stares back at you! Challenges? Oh, plenty! It’s like exploring an alien world or getting into deep meditation. You’ve got to be physically tough and mentally calm. It’s about quieting your mind while your body says, “Hey, aren’t we supposed to be breathing?”
You are India’s first and only Level 3 Freediving Instructor and trainer. What advice would you give someone who is starting in this field?
I explained this in my recent TEDx talk. My deepest dive wasn’t about the depth; it was about shedding fear to find clarity. The ocean teaches resilience. Each dive and resurfacing reminds you of your incredible journey. The sea doesn’t care about past dives; it’s all about the now. Breaking barriers isn’t just heroic; it’s an inward and outward adventure. Our passions can transcend boundaries and connect us with nature, unlocking inner strength. Remember, beneath the ocean’s surface and within ourselves lies a world to discover. So, dive deep, break barriers, and let passion carry you to new adventures!
Promoting Freediving in India
- Unleashing Potential: Mario believes that India has untapped potential in freediving due to its vast coastline.
- Creating Awareness: Strives to increase awareness of freediving as a sport in India.
- Encouraging Others: Offers advice and guidance to aspiring freediving enthusiasts.
You mentioned that freediving is relaxing for you. Can you elaborate on how it helps you achieve mental clarity and relaxation?
We humans have incredible superpowers. We are land versions of whales and dolphins and have a special reflex that enables us to swim deeper into the sea without crushing our lungs. The mammalian diving reflex is ignited immediately as you dip your face into the water. Your heart rate slows down to 10 to 50 percent. And this helps you relax instantly.
The heart of a freediver beats exceptionally low on a deep dive. Some divers have recorded a heart rate of as low as 10 beats per minute. Well, that’s a rate lower than a coma patient’s, and physiologically, a heartbeat this slow can induce unconsciousness in any other situation, and yet, during freediving, it doesn’t!
Is the Sport recognised in India and is there enough awareness being created about it?
Freediving as a sport is not yet recognised in India but I would say that it is slowly picking up.
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