Hello Beuchat,

My name is Mattia Malara, I am Italian, and I have always been passionate about the sea. I discovered freediving in the sea at the age of 21, and since then, it has profoundly marked me, becoming a lifelong passion.

Where does your passion for the sea come from?

Since my childhood, when I spent summer vacations at my grandparents' house in Calabria, I have always been attracted to the blue of the sea, so I would go into the water with my cousins to explore the underwater world.

One very vivid memory I have, even though it's not linked to my childhood, is a freediving session during training before my first national record. I was in Liguria, and while training, I stopped to observe the rock wall covered with red gorgonians. Suddenly, a huge sunfish (Mola Mola) approached me and curiously observed me. A few days later, just as I started my record attempt, a Sunfish first approached me at the surface, watching me, and then followed me for part of the descent, almost like a guardian angel. Experiences like these make me realize that if we approach the sea with respect, it gives back by welcoming us and offering us incredible emotions, which keep me connected to this world.

My first Beuchat equipment?

The first piece of equipment I was curious to try was the Libeccio Elite Carbon fins. I immediately felt very comfortable with them, both because of the comfortable foot pocket and the highly responsive carbon blade.

Favorite Beuchat gear:

I have tried several Beuchat products, and my favorites include the Maxlux S mask, which offers a wide field of vision with vibrant colors, and the Shark mask, which I prefer for deep dives due to its ultra-low volume.
The Zento Lady wetsuit fits like a glove, almost becoming a second skin. When the temperature drops, I really appreciate the Inspiro 5mm wetsuit. I had the pleasure of testing it while assisting Fausto Firreri during his Val d'Aosta record at Lake Lod.

Your essential freediving gear?

I always carry my Libeccio Elite Carbon fins and Shark mask with me.

What is your freediving certification level?

I have been a freediving instructor for the Apnea Academy since 2004, and this year I celebrate 20 years of teaching.

What are your favorite marine creatures to observe and why?

Like almost everyone, I love marine mammals. I have had the chance to swim with dolphins, enormous whale sharks, manta rays, reef sharks, and turtles. However, one of my most cherished encounters was with a tiny, friendly creature—a seahorse holding onto a chain with its tail, which I found during a recreational dive with children in the Ligurian Sea.

What is your best freediving memory?

Honestly, I don’t have just one memory, but several.
One of the best is certainly my time as an athlete. It was very challenging because I had to balance training and work, but over the years, this journey changed my life and helped shape who I am today.

Which achievements are you most proud of?

On September 3, 2005, during the AIDA World Championship in Villefranche-sur-Mer, I set the Italian women's freediving record in constant weight with a depth of -64m, finishing third on the podium.
On February 26, 2006, at Lake Nero (2100m) in Cesana (TO), I set the world record for linear freediving under ice, covering a distance of 70 meters.

Can you tell us about your freediving school?

My school was born the same year as my first son, Lorenzo—two births in one year, a little record in itself! In 2007, I founded the freediving school "LAPNEA" with Davide Beneventi (A.A. Instructor), which operates to teach safe freediving to both adults and children.
Speaking of children, this year I launched a wonderful project to introduce water safety through freediving in several schools, which fully embraced it. In the end, 450 children participated, with great feedback from teachers, students, and parents.
Finally, among my fondest memories, I cannot forget the enthusiasm and surprise of people who discover this discipline each year—curious yet full of doubts—only to achieve results they never imagined possible.

What advice would you give to someone discovering freediving?

Freediving is a sport for everyone, like board games—it’s hard to explain the feeling, so I always recommend trying it first.
However, it is essential to rely on a school with qualified instructors to learn safe techniques... and as I always tell my young students, rule number one is: "Never go into the sea alone!!!"

Who inspires you the most and why?

The Maiorca family has always been a great source of inspiration for me, as well as Umberto Pelizzari, but the Cuban freediver Deborah Andollo is the one I followed the most when I was practicing as an amateur. She had fantastic elegance when diving into the blue, and I always admired her achievements.