Yoshua Surjo is a trailblazer in Indonesia’s freediving community, recognised as the nation’s first AIDA Instructor Trainer and one of its most experienced freediving instructors. Growing up around the waters north of Jakarta, Yoshua's lifelong connection with the ocean ultimately led him to pursue a career beneath the water, founding Ousia Freediving Academy. Seashell's founder, Calum Crawley, began his freediving journey under the guidance of Yoshua. In this interview, we dive into the experiences of both student and teacher.
Yoshua, you've had a lifelong connection with the ocean. Could you share the journey that led you to freediving?
I've been playing in the ocean for as long as I can remember. Since my dad owned a boat, we often went on 1 to 2-week fishing trips around the small islands north of Jakarta. Sometimes, we would venture further to nearby places like Bangka, Belitung, or Sumatra.
During these trips, we learned to freedive from local fishermen to catch lobsters or spearfish. However, life took a different turn, and I ended up working as a marketing consultant. One day, by chance, I discovered that there was actual training for freediving. I took the course and eventually became a freediving instructor. I decided to sell everything and move to Bali to fully teach freediving.
What's one of the most memorable moments you've had underwater in Bali?
Definitely back in 2023 while teaching a beginner and out of nowhere a Sperm Whale passes by!
Freediving is as much about mental discipline as it is about physical skill. How do you help students balance these aspects?
The key is always balance, and to be able to balance it, I need to know the students first. Everybody is unique and everybody needs a different approach. There are students that needs to be motivated and there are students that need to be held back.
From your perspective, how is the health of the reefs and marine life around Pemuteran, or the areas you visit for freediving trips? Have you noticed any changes over the years, such as increased human interaction impacting the ecosystems?
I mainly dive around Pemuteran area and Menjangan Island. Menjangan Island is a marine conservation and it’s working quite well. There are some decline but not much. However, in Pemuteran area I can see plenty of changes. There are some factors such as: Over-fishing, water quality is also degrading (there are more sediments near the beaches). The more people, more buildings and more waste.
It is complicated, there are so many factors ruining our ocean, the upside is Pemuteran is home of one of the biggest and oldest coral conservation in Indonesia and it’s still going strong.
For those interested in becoming serious freedivers, what’s one key piece of advice you would give?
Totally committed, fully unattached. Fully dedicated and invested but at the same time remains flexible, adaptable, and unburdened by expectations or attachments to specific outcomes.
Calum, what motivated you to train with Yoshua?
I was first introduced to freediving with Yoshua through a friend at the gym who mentioned an upcoming trip with him. Given my background in commercial diving, I was immediately intrigued by the idea of exploring freediving at this level. I’d heard fantastic things about Yoshua’s expertise and his reputation as a top instructor, so I jumped at the chance to join the trip and fully immerse myself in learning from him.
What’s one piece of advice or technique from Yoshua that has really stuck with you?
One of the biggest challenges in freediving is maintaining calmness before the dive, which Yoshua emphasised is key. It’s all about staying in control of your breathing and quieting your mind; diving is so mental. Descending into the unknown can easily trigger anxiety, but learning to treat it like a meditation—calming the mind, steadying your breath, and releasing any distracting thoughts—has made a big impact on my dives.
What Ousia course did you join, and can you describe a typical day?
I recently took part in a 2.5-day course with Yoshua, earning my first-level qualification. The course began with theory, covering what happens to the body and oxygen systems during freediving. We moved into pool sessions for breath-hold and swimming technique practice. Later, we transitioned to open water, working on straight-line dives at increasing depths, like 5, 10, 15, and 20 meters, and practicing skills like the duck dive. On the final day, we explored open water diving, which allowed us to interact with marine life. I found open water diving more natural and less stressful, which helped me focus on the dive rather than on any pressure.
How has Yoshua helped you overcome challenges or fears in freediving?
Aside from improving my technique, Yoshua gave me confidence in my own abilities. He taught me to recognise and manage the body’s reactions during a dive, like counting and holding through contractions, understanding they’re natural and not harmful. Now I’m able to push my limits with confidence, knowing what to expect from my body. This knowledge has become a great skill for adventures outside of training, like spearfishing, which relies heavily on freediving techniques. Yoshua’s course is something I’d recommend for anyone, from beginners to experienced divers, as he adapts his training to all levels.
Find out more
As he continues to train and guide new freedivers, Yoshua remains committed to balancing the art of freediving with a love for the ocean—a message he hopes will resonate with his students.
Come and join us!
Join us every Saturday at 10am at the Fittie end of Aberdeen beach for invigorating dips in the sea. The refreshing waters will not only revitalize your body but also uplift your spirits, offering a perfect blend of mental clarity and physical well-being.
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