About us
We are Freedive Menorca
Here’s a bit more about us and the sport that we love.
What is Freediving?
Freediving (also known as apnea) is the art of being underwater on a single breath.
Freediving is ancient: for as long as humans have foraged the shoreline for food they have been freediving. Every culture and civilisation reliant on the ocean has it’s own history of breath hold diving, from the sponge divers of Greece to the pearl divers of ancient Persia. Even today, indigenous freediving cultures like the Bajau-Laut people of the south pacific and the Ama women of Japan still survive in this way.
The amazing thing about freediving is that anyone can do it. When diving, all humans show some of the same adaptations as whales and dolphins – to help us to be comfortable and relaxed diving deeper and longer than we ever thought possible! This set of adaptations is known as the mammalian dive response (MDR). Just like anything else we can do with our bodies, our MDR can be trained – this is what learning to freedive is all about!
Nowadays freediving has evolved into a sport and a fun way to exercise and explore the ocean. Some people like to train and develop their skills to take part in competitions and show how deep or long they can dive for. Others like to use the tranquility they find in freediving as a form of meditation and a way to unwind and relax. Freediving is an amazing way to explore the underwater world, without tanks and heavy equipment and often allows for closer, more wondrous interactions with the underwater world.
Menorca
We are amazingly blessed to have such a beautiful place to share our love of the ocean. Menorca is one of the best freediving spots in the Mediterranean. Crystal clear waters at around 27 degrees throughout the summer, it offers some of the best freediving conditions in Europe.
The island was declared Reserve of the Biosphere by UNESCO in 1993 which has helped to keep the authentic and virgin character of the land, beaches and ocean. Its archeological, architectural, historic and cultural heritage make visiting Menorca an experience you won’t forget.
The dream team
Valeria Olives Babler
Founder
Valeria is a freediving instructor trainer. She first discovered the sport in Indonesia and quickly realised it was more than a hobby – it became a way of life. Since certifying as an instructor in Bali in 2016, she has dedicated herself fully to teaching and sharing the sport.
Originally trained in kinesiology and naturopathy, Valeria brings a deep understanding of the body, movement and learning to her teaching. She’s well known for her calm, intuitive approach, helping students build trust in themselves while offering clear, grounded feedback that supports real growth.
Now based seasonally between Menorca and Dominica, she teaches all levels of freediving, mentors new instructors and continues to grow the freediving community through Freedive Menorca and the Menorca Apnea Club, which she founded in 2018.
Adam De La Mare
Founder
Adam is a freediving instructor who’s most at home helping people feel safe, confident and joyful in the water. While he holds advanced certifications, has years of teaching and coaching experience and enjoys challenging himself to dive deeper, what really drives him is the personal journey each student takes. He has a particular gift for working with people who don’t see themselves as ‘natural’ freedivers, especially those who arrive feeling uncertain or convinced they’re not the type to freedive.
With a calm and grounded teaching style, Adam focuses on building trust not just between student and instructor but between people, their own bodies and the water itself. He loves watching students surprise themselves, shift their self-perception and leave the water feeling more confident and connected.
Whether it’s someone’s first breath-hold or their deepest dive yet, his goal is always to help students find more ease, enjoyment and self-belief through the freediving experience.
Lorena Fuentes Oró
Instructor
Originally from Catalunya, Lorena has lived on Menorca for over a decade and is a well-known face around Binibeca after many years working at the legendary Paupa seafront restaurant in Cala Torret.
Lorena began learning to freedive with us several years ago but has a deep connection with the ocean that goes back to her childhood. She’s spent two winter seasons developing her freediving with us in Dominica, qualified as an AIDA instructor with Valeria in spring 2025.
Valeria says, “Lorena is one of the strongest freedivers you will ever meet” and this strength translates to the joy and confidence she brings to her teaching. She is particularly good with beginner and nervous students, giving them the space and encouragement to enjoy their experience in the water and progress without pressure.
Fluent in English, Spanish and Catalan, Lorena teaches freediving courses, leads line training and adventure excursions and assisting on many of our trips and retreats.