free-diving
What is FREE-DIVING?
If you think freediving is just like snorkeling (but going really deep) – think again. Freediving is an entirely different way to experience the underwater world. You’ll dive deeper, stay down longer, and feel part of the ocean itself.Freediving can also be a competitive sport. Divers around the world train for years to set world records in static apnea, dynamic apnea, free immersion and constant weight freediving.
Reconnect With Nature
Freedivers silently blend into the underwater environment. They enjoy magical encounters with shy marine life and hear all the sounds of the ocean: fish munching on coral, the tide pulsing at the rocks, and even the calls of dolphins and whales!
Freediving is the perfect way to reconnect to the sea and explore the depths of the oceans with minimal impact. Some people freedive for the personal challenge, but for many, the true appeal of freediving is in the silence and calm it brings to their hectic lives.
Do I Need a Freediving Course?
Though freediving appears to be relatively simple, there is a lot to know about safety and physiology. A non-trained freediver risks ear, sinus, and lung injuries, blackouts, and could potentially drown. An experienced, insured freediving instructor can help you advance your skills and avoid serious risks. If you already have some freediving experience, the expert techniques taught by PADI Freediving instructors can help you quickly increase depth and time underwater but also enhance your personal and buddy-related safety skills.
PADI Basic Freediver:
Description
The PADI Basic Freediver course is a subset of the PADI Freediver course. It’s a great first step for developing solid freediving skills. You learn basic freediving principles and focus on practicing breathhold techniques in a pool or confined water site.
To enroll in a PADI Basic Freediver course you must be 12 years old or older. You need adequate swimming skills and need to be in good physical health. No prior experience with snorkeling, skin diving or freediving is required.
Equipment
In the PADI Basic Freediver course, you learn to use a mask, snorkel and fins, and may also use a wetsuit and weight belt. Using gear designed specifically for freediving is best, however, in this course, you may be able to use snorkeling equipment you already own.
Check with your local dive center about the gear you’ll use during this course and get advice about everything you need from your PADI Freediver Instructor.
Academic
The PADI Basic Freediver course consists of two main phases:
- Knowledge development through independent study with the PADI Freediver eLearning (or your instructor may conduct class sessions if not available in a language you understand).
- Confined water session to learn breathhold techniques as well as static and dynamic apnea, plus proper buddy procedures. Goal – static apnea of 90 seconds and dynamic apnea of 25 metres/80 feet.
Available Languages
For information on other available languages please contact us.
Getting Started
Contact your local PADI Freediver Center or PADI Freediver Instructor and get the PADI Freediver eLearning mobile app, an interactive study tool that gives you the background information you need to freedive safely and allows you to study at your own pace.Good news – the PADI Freediver eLearning also includes all study materials for the PADI Freediver, Advanced Freediver and Master Freediver courses.
PADI Freediver:
Description
Freediving is about inward power, discipline and control. If you’ve always wanted to enter the underwater world quietly, on your own terms, staying as long as your breath allows, then freediving is for you. Taking the PADI Freediver course is your first step toward discovering why freediving is becoming a popular way to explore beneath the waves.
To enroll in a PADI Freediver course you must be at least 15 years old. You need adequate swimming skills and need to be in good physical health. No prior experience with snorkeling, skin diving or freediving is required.
Academic
The PADI Freediver course consists of three main phases:
- Knowledge development about freediving principles through independent study with PADI Freediver eLearning (or your instructor may conduct class sessions if not available in a language you understand).
- Confined water session to learn breathhold techniques as well as static and dynamic apnea. Goal – static apnea of 90 seconds and dynamic apnea of 25 metres/80 feet.
- Open water sessions to practice free immersion and constant weight freedives, plus proper buddy procedures. Goal – constant weight freedive of 10 metres/30 feet.
Available Languages
For information on other available languages please contact us.
Equipment
In the PADI Freediver course, you learn to use a mask, snorkel and fins, and may also use a wetsuit and weight belt. Using gear designed specifically for freediving is best, however, in this course, you may be able to use snorkeling equipment you already own.
Check with your local dive center about the gear you’ll use during this course and get advice about everything you need from your PADI Freediver Instructor.
Getting Started
Contact your local PADI Freediver Center or PADI Freediver Instructor and get the PADI Freediver eLearning mobile app. PADI Freediver eLearning is an interactive study tool that gives you the background information you need to freedive safely and allows you to study at your own pace. Your PADI Freediver Instructor will check on your progress and make sure you understand important freediving information.Good news – the PADI Freediver eLearning also includes all learning materials for the PADI Advanced Freediver and Master Freediver courses.
PADI BASIC FREEDIVER
£195 (Part A)
- Knowledge Development about freediving principles through independent study with the PADI Freediver Touch (an Online app with videos & Quizzes) allowing you to do the theory at home before the pool session. Your instructor will be available to answer any questions or queries you may have as well)
- Confined Water Session to learn breath-hold techniques as well as static and dynamic apnea, plus proper buddying techniques.
- Goal – Static Apnea of 90 seconds
Goal – Dynamic Apnea of 25m
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- PADI Freediver Touch (includes Knowledge Development Reviews, Quizzes, Exams and Videos)
- All equipment hire
- Tuition by a PADI professional Freediving Instructor who is fully insured and adheres to UK HSE regulations
- PADI Certification Fee
- Small group sizes
- 1 day or 2 evenings tuition
PADI ADVANCED FREEDIVER (£330)
Achieving a new freediving time or reaching a new depth is an incredible feeling. It satisfies that very personal desire to do your best and be proud of what you can accomplish. The PADI Advanced Freediver course is designed to fulfill that personal need to refine and improve your freediving skills, allowing you to progress slowly while learning how your body performs during apnea.
The PADI Freediver course consists of three main phases:
- Knowledge Development about advanced freediving techniques and equipment through independent study with the PADI Freediver Touch. (an Online app with videos & Quizzes, allowing you to do the theory at home before the in-water sessions. Your instructor will be available to answer any questions or queries you may have as well)
- Confined Water Session to learn stretching and relaxation techniques as well as refine static and dynamic apnea.
- Goal – Static Apnea of 2 minutes, 30 seconds (2 minutes for freedivers younger than 18)
- Goal – Dynamic Apnea of 50m. (40m for freedivers younger than 18)
- 2 x Open Water Sessions (Can be done in one day) to practice deeper ‘Free Immersion (FIM) and ‘Constant Weight’ (CWT) dives, along with additional buddy procedures and rescue techniques.
- Goal – Constant Weight freedive of 20 metres.
WHAT’S INCLUDED? - PADI Freediver Touch (includes Knowledge Development Reviews, Quizzes, Exams and Videos)
- All equipment hire for both Pool and Open water sessions
Tuition by a PADI professional freediving instructor who are fully insured and adhere to UK - HSE regulations
- PADI Certification Fee
- Small group sizes
PRE-REQUISITES
- Be 15 Years old or older
Have a PADI Freediver certification (or a qualifying certification from another freediver organization) - Have completed the Emergency First Responder (EFR) course or equivalent First Aid Course within the last 2 years. – We can arrange this
- Complete the PADI Freediver Medical History Form, the PADI Freediver Program Release of Liability Form and the PADI Freediver Safe Diving Practices
- Statement of Understanding
DATES: Weekends, days, or evenings.
MINIMUM AGE: 15 years old
PADI FREEDIVER FULL COURSE
£295 (Part A & B)
Freediving is about inward power, discipline, and control.
If you’ve always wanted to enter the underwater world quietly, on your own terms, staying as long as your breath allows, then freediving is for you. Taking the PADI Freediver course is your first step toward discovering why freediving is becoming a popular way to explore beneath the waves.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
The PADI Freediver course consists of three main phases:
- PART A
Knowledge Development about freediving principles through independent study with the PADI Freediver Touch. (an Online app with videos & Quizzes, allowing you to do the theory at home before the in-water sessions.) - Confined Water Session to learn breath-hold techniques as well as static and dynamic apnea, plus proper buddying techniques.
- Goal – Static Apnea of 90 seconds
- Goal – Dynamic Apnea of 25m
- 2x Open Water Sessions (Can be done on one day) to introduce and practice both ‘Free Immersion (FIM) and ‘Constant Weight’ (CWT) freediving disciplines, plus proper buddy procedures.
- Goal – Constant Weight freedive of 10 metres.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- PADI Freediver Touch (includes Knowledge Development Reviews, Quizzes, Exams and Videos)
- All equipment hire for both Pool and Open water sessions
Tuition by a PADI professional freediving instructor who is fully insured and adheres to UK HSE regulations - PADI Certification Fee
- Small group sizes
PRE-REQUISITES
- Be 15 Years old or older
Demonstrate the ability to swim continuously on the surface for 200 metres without swimming aids or for 300m with mask, snorkel, and fins. - Complete the PADI Freediver Medical History Form, the PADI Freediver Program Release of Liability Form and the PADI Freediver Safe Diving Practices Statement of Understanding
LOCATIONS & POOL SESSIONS
Several heated swimming pool times and locations to choose from so there is something convenient for you:
OPEN WATER DIVE SITES
We conduct the PADI Advanced Freediver Open Water sessions over one day at The National Diving and Activity Centre (NDAC) in Chepstow – please check on our booking system or get in touch for exact dates!
The National Diving and Activity Centre (NDAC) is the deepest inland dive site in the UK and can be dived all year round and in all weather conditions. Fed by natural springs, the water is crystal clear and is home to the largest permanent freediving platform in the world (yes, the world!)
Additional Costs
The only additional cost for the PADI Advanced Freediver course is for entry to NDAC payable on arrival on the day.
