Water as a mirror

“Water is a mirror.” The words fall gently, like a truth surfacing from the depths. Jeroen Van Haudt speaks about freediving with the precision of a healthcare professional, and the sensitivity of someone who has found in this practice far more than a sport. Between international missions and local engagement, he follows a clear path: to protect, educate, and connect.

He smiles as he quotes Pierre Frolla: “There are two types of freedivers—those who pee, and those who lie.” A cheeky line that captures the humility required in a discipline where there’s no place for ego.

Who is Jeroen?

“My name is Jeroen Van Haudt, I’m 51 years old.” He works as an intensive care nurse at Middelheim Hospital. He operates independently to maintain the flexibility he needs for international travel and other commitments. This year, he joined AIDA Belgium as Secretary. Internationally, he’s become “the go-to medic at the World Championships.”

First breaths

Freediving entered his life in 2011, almost by accident. While in Greece for scuba diving, his instructor suggested a breath-hold swimming exercise between two bottles, with increasing distances and only three breaths allowed at each end. “I felt really comfortable focusing, defocusing… and letting go of the stress of the exercise.” The instructor then told him freediving was a sport. Intrigued, Jeroen explored Apnea Academy, attended workshops in Ibiza with Umberto Pelizzari, and soon crossed paths with the discipline’s leading figures: William Trubridge, Alexey Molchanov, Pierre Frolla… He then takes his AIDA 4 with Aharon Solomon and Rik Rôsken, two people who help determine his direction.

Finding himself beneath the surface

That first game of distance and calm became a turning point. “Freediving gave me the chance to find myself—and even more: to meet a version of me I hadn’t met before.” He’s eager to share that transformation, but always “in a safe way.”

Quiet commitment, solid impact

Since 2019, Jeroen has been part of the Executive team for the AIDA World Championships. He plays a key role in coordination and decision-making, especially around safety: “General safety, but also individual, athlete by athlete.” He also contributes to the Safety Committee and the Education Committee, where he updates AIDA’s official manuals, particularly the medical sections.

In Belgium, his commitment took shape this year with his role in AIDA Belgium. “I took on the position of Secretary,” he declares simply, “driven by a desire to strengthen local foundations”.

His competition journey began in 2018 as a medic at the Natalia Molchanova Grand Prix in Ibiza. The following year, he served as Executive Officer in Nice. Since then, he’s provided safety support at private AIDA events and participated in Belgian competitions, among others organized by Andy Bühl.

But behind this steady involvement lies a rarely discussed reality: “No one on the Executive team of the World Championships gets paid.” After years of volunteering, he decided to set boundaries: “Enough is enough!”. While safety divers were compensated this year, medics are still often left out of the budget. He now chooses his engagements based on fair conditions.

Technical mastery, humble spirit

Jeroen isn’t chasing records. “I’m not focused on performance,” he says. Still, two milestones stand out: “100 meters no fins in the pool” after a weekend with William Trubridge, and “60 meters with a mask and bi-fins” in depth.

His expertise is broad: intensive care nurse, former ambulance driver, lifeguard. He’s also an instructor and instructor trainer for DAN (Divers Alert Network), teaching modules from BLSD to Oxygen, First Aid, Neurologic Assessment, Hazardous of Marine Life, and advanced topics. “I’m one of only three Diver Medical Technician instructors for DAN worldwide,” he notes.

With AIDA, he trains others in the Freediving Emergency Medical Responder program and is a Freediving Master Instructor. He also founded Baronaut ASBL in Antwerp — a freediving club and medical education hub.

Freediving as inner transformation and clear-eyed responsibility

“It really changed my life in a very positive way,” he shares. Freediving helped him reinvent himself. He speaks of “perseverance,” “self-reflection,” and “growth.” He quit drinking and smoking. “I became a version of myself that I actually like.” But he’s quick to add: “Everyone finds their own path in their own way.”

When it comes to safety, he’s direct: “We freedivers practice our sport in the third level of drowning.” Referring to the World Health Organization’s five-level classification, he emphasizes that freediving demands deep education to be practiced “in a safe way.”

A vision for inclusive freediving, rooted in Belgium

“Rebuild the foundation.” That’s how he sums up his vision for freediving in Belgium. He notes that the Flemish community has dwindled over time. His goal: to rebuild a strong base and bring people together.

“I’m going to try to distribute some educational modules, like the Medical Responder and Safety course, under the AIDA Belgium banner… to create safer freediving and opportunities to spend time together.”

He envisions open, well-publicized formats accessible to all — clear courses, non-competitive “freediving days,” and friendly outings to Rochefort, Vinkeveen… “Open to everyone,” he insists.

Quick portrait

  • Favorite mantra or quote: “You’re already there.”
  • A person who inspires me in freediving: No one
  • Favorite dive spot: Lanzarote
  • Music before diving: None
  • One word to describe my relationship with water: Mirror

Conclusion: diving into self, diving together

For Jeroen, freediving is the art of self-discovery, transformation, and protection.

“You’re already there.”

So — where do you want to dive, in yourself and in the water? Share your dreams, your favorite spots, your ideas to strengthen the community.
And to discover upcoming AIDA Belgium activities, stay tuned: courses, outings, and gatherings are on the way, open to all.