Discover the Thrill: Transform Your Passion for the Ocean with Empowering Freediving Workshops in Hyderabad
Shubham Pandey, a seasoned freediver based in Lonavala, is set to host a series of workshops in Hyderabad from March 13 to 15. Participants will embark on an immersive journey into the world of freediving, a sport still gaining traction in India. Over the course of three days, beginners will learn essential breath-holding techniques, body posture, and relaxation practices in a confined water environment.
Freediving, which requires divers to hold their breath and remain calm underwater, traces its origins to ancient techniques used by divers in search of food and pearls. As Pandey explains, the Japanese Ama women employed this method to harvest seafood. With a focus on calmness and increasing lung capacity, freediving offers a distinct experience compared to scuba diving, which relies on breathing apparatus.
Pandey’s journey in diving began 11 years ago as a commercial diver, where he inspected pipelines and performed underwater maintenance. It was during an exploration of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands that he discovered the exhilarating world of freediving. Now a certified instructor with both the Professional Association of Diving Instructors and Scuba Schools International, he has expanded his workshops beyond India to locations like Indonesia, Mauritius, and the Maldives.
“My father was in the Navy, so I grew up around divers and always aspired to follow in their footsteps,” Pandey recalls. Despite having earned a Bachelor’s degree in electronics, he pursued a career in commercial diving instead of a conventional office job. This decision eventually led him to become a dive master, during which he stumbled upon freediving-an avenue that transformed his professional path.
While scuba diving can be a social experience, Pandey notes that freediving demands rigorous focus and discipline. “You can’t enjoy a party the night before and expect to freedive the next morning,” he emphasizes. Notably, around 70% of his students are women, a demographic he believes embraces the challenges of the sport. Some female participants have reported that the breathing techniques taught in freediving workshops have aided in coping with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “The breathwork becomes meditative, allowing individuals to confront their fears and anxieties,” Pandey explains, highlighting the calming effects of diving, where heart rates slow and oxygen management becomes essential.
In 2021, he founded Unobreath, a freediving company dedicated to coaching individuals from various backgrounds, including athletes and creative professionals like filmmaker Homi Adajania and fashion designer Gaurav Gupta. Pandey himself demonstrates impressive capabilities, able to dive to depths of up to 60 meters and hold his breath for five minutes. He believes that freediving teaches an important life lesson: “On land, we tend to react without thinking. Freediving encourages us to observe before reacting.”
Shubham Pandey’s workshops in Hyderabad are scheduled to take place from March 13 to 15, from 10 AM to 1 PM at the DD Sports Swimming Pool in Kanchi Gachibowli. Interested participants can enroll by calling 7410095842 or 69246848, with a session fee of ₹6000. Through these workshops, attendees will not only learn freediving skills but also foster a deeper connection to the calming embrace of underwater environments.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/travel/shubham-pandey-to-conduct-freediving-workshops-in-hyderabad/article70725270.ece
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Publish Date: 2026-03-11 10:56:00
