What Puts the PRO in the Molchanovs PRO Freediving Buoy?

Discover why deep divers and freediving schools choose the PRO Freediving Buoy for their training sessions.

By Kristina Zvaritch
Editors Asya Kleshevnikova & Deena Lynch

Photo © @foreveryhong

When you think about which equipment is important to invest in, your first thought probably goes to your fins or wetsuit. But if you’re training outside of a freediving center and without an instructor, then there’s something else that should be at the top of your list: your buoy. At first glance, freediving floats might seem to be created equally, more or less: different colors, different handle placements, different materials, yet all doing the same thing. However, in reality, the size, materials, and construction can make or break a buoy in terms of quality, longevity, and, most importantly, safety. With all that in mind, Molchanovs created the PRO Freediving Buoy, the premium freediving float for deep divers and freediving schools.

But what exactly puts the PRO in PRO Freediving Buoy? Let’s explore.

Double-Chambered Design

Say you’re diving with a single chamber buoy, where all of the air you inflate it with is stored in a single compartment. If you tear or puncture it during your freedive session, eventually—depending on how severe the damage is—the buoy will deflate. If the puncture is really serious, air can flow out quickly, and your buoy won’t be able to keep your line and bottom weight floating up at the surface any longer.

But with a double-chambered buoy, you inflate two separate compartments with two separate valves. So if you’re out training and something badly punctures the buoy, the buoy will deflate much more slowly, giving you and your buddies time to get back to the boat or shore safely.

Surface Area

The PRO Freediving Buoy's large surface area creates the stability you need for powerful FIM pulls. Photo © @foreveryhong

While smaller freediving floats may be easier to transport and take with you to dive sites, there are some significant drawbacks to their compact size. For one, smaller buoys aren't meant for long dive lines, and trying to stuff and shove long lengths of rope into a smaller buoy can easily get your heart racing—the exact opposite of what we need before diving. Plus, buoys with small surface areas can be a pain for deep FIM dives, where each pull jerks the buoy down and reduces the pull's effectiveness.

The PRO Freediving Buoy is specifically designed to be large and spacious, even though it’s also great for travelers who want to inflate the buoy themselves by mouth. This gives you enough room to store up to 100m (328ft) of rope, plus secure any smaller valuables in the zippered mesh pocket that covers the top of the freediving float. It’s also ideal for FIM. A buoy with a larger surface area equals more stability—especially in choppier conditions—ensuring that every pull on a freedive counts.

Instructors also appreciate the PRO Freediving Buoy's generous 80cm (31.5in) diameter, which can safely accommodate five people (four students and one instructor) as they freedive. Smaller 70cm (27.6in) buoys are more suited for groups of three divers.

Materials

To withstand extreme conditions, Molchanovs uses thick, high-density PVC for their PRO freediving buoys. Photo © @foreveryhong

Buoys need to be tough, especially when it comes to freedivers who dive from shore. That’s why Molchanovs chose more than 0.7mm thick high-density PVC for the buoy’s material—much more durable than standard materials. And this PVC is not only anti-corrosive and abrasion-resistant, but also much smoother and more comfortable than nylon to lay your face on while you breathe.

In fact, the PVC’s enhanced tensile strength (50–80MPa) and welded seams mean it can take some serious abuse without ripping or tearing. Not only that, the rigid construction (1,500–3,000 MPa elastic modulus, to be exact) keeps the freediving float properly inflated and maintains shape under stress, keeping the buoy visible even in the choppiest conditions. The PRO Freediving Buoy is built to last, no matter the conditions.

Handles

The looping handles on Molchanovs buoys wrap around the entire buoy, making them comfortable to hold from any position. Photo © @foreveryhong

The more, the better—handles on a buoy, that is. While other freediving floats usually have only four fixed handles on them, the PRO Freediving Buoy has six extra-large looping handles made of sturdy rope, which is excellent for a few reasons. For multiple freedivers training on the same large buoy, it means more of them can hold on to the handles and anchor themselves near the float. And for the freediver preparing for their freedive, it makes it more comfortable to position themselves, whether it’s on the top of the buoy or next to it. Plus, these handles also act as flexible anchor points for your surface line, keeping your sessions as fluid as the currents.

When it comes to freediving safety and performance, your buoy isn’t just another piece of equipment—it’s your lifeline. The PRO Freediving Buoy’s double-chambered design, generous surface area, durable materials, and thoughtful handle placement make it the clear choice for serious freedivers and freediving schools that refuse to compromise on quality or safety. After all, if you’re pushing limits, you need gear that performs under pressure.

Check out the PRO Freediving Buoy for yourself—your freediving buddies and students will thank you for it!