New to freediving

Any advice? 2021 I want to start my free diving career. Plenty of spots I already slay fish down here on central coast in kayak. I have a bay boat too that would be perfect to access local spots. My biggest concern is visibility and seeing a white shark. I had an encounter last year in the kayak that scared the shit out of me. Couldn't image what that would feel like underwater. I assume to free dive one has to shut off all emotion and be fearless. Complete control and that is something that definitely interests me. I grew up a swimmer and am very strong in the water but plan to train pretty good before first couple dives. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I've heard good things about the fii classes, not sure if they are doing them during the pandemic though...

I'm pretty sure MBAY Freediving is holding classes, and I have heard nothing but good things about them. There's a huge community of freedivers around Monterey bay, where the vis can be quite good, especially during fall and winter. Sharks are just something you have to get your mind to be a peace with. You can strategically dive spots that are less well known for sharks or wear a shark shield, but attacks are pretty rare and much less of a danger than bad freediving technique. I'm not diving as much as I used to, but there are tons of people on either this forum or on facebook pages who I'm sure would take you out with them, especially if you get a freediving certification.

Pretty much all dive shops and schools are open right now, I don't know of any that aren't operating.  They've all got safe practices, and in general its one of the safer activities with COVID due to the lack of sharing equipment compared to scuba, distancing, and well...being underwater for part of it. 

As prokhk said, shark attacks are pretty much the least of your worries; there are sooo many other things that are far more realistically dangerous.  Shallow water blackout is a real thing.  Panic is a real thing.  Getting tangled is a real thing.  Freediving classes, especially the first level, largely focus on how to deal with these things, along with equalization, and less on the more advanced techniques and breath holding (not to say you wont see big improvements in those too). 

You don't mention anything about spearfishing either, which will greatly reduce your danger level (way less stuff to get tangled in, no struggling fish and blood in water).  White shark spottings in kayaks are way more common, often due to the chumming of the water as you bleed and/or gut your catch, and also just the fishing in general.   

Im not going to lie and say I don't have an acute awareness of exposure, but it's pretty easy to limit it.  I definitely wouldn't recommend a shark guard unless you are scuba diving for halibut or something large, where you have deco stop and a slow ascent that exposes you with a struggling fish; they hurt like hell and often can get you, and they are a hindrance when freediving.  White sharks don't go into shallow coves and boxed in areas in general, and stay out of the kelp too.  You are most exposed when traversing deep canyons or being on the edge of a deep/shallow transition. 

Now sea lion or harbor seal encounters?  Dime a dozen!  They're like big playful puppy dogs underwater, although they can be trouble makers.