Beginner Class
Learn to freedive! This class provides a complete introduction to freediving.
In this class you will learn...
Breathing
Learn the secrets freedivers use to hold their breath for over 3 minutes.
Pressure
Learn about the pressure water puts on the airspaces in our body, and how to deal with it. Dive down without any pain in your ears.
Relaxation
Learn to put yourself in a state of deep mental and physical relaxation.
Safety
Get thorough training in the principles and practice of freediving safety, including underwater rescue.
Class Timing
The Beginner Class runs from noon to 5pm, usually on Saturdays. It consists of a land class from 12-2pm in a classroom, followed by a water class from 2-5pm in the deep diving pool.
Land Class
Land Class
When: 12-2pm
Where: College of Marin (classroom)
Where: College of Marin (classroom)
Water Class
Water Class
When: 2-5pm
Where: College of Marin (deep diving pool)
Where: College of Marin (deep diving pool)
Location
The water class takes place in the Bay Area's deepest diving pool, at the College of Marin. With crystal clear water heated to 85 degrees and 16 feet of depth, you'll learn the fundamental skills of freediving in perfect conditions.
The water class takes place in the Bay Area's deepest diving pool, at the College of Marin. With crystal clear water heated to 85 degrees and 16 feet of depth, you'll learn the fundamental skills of freediving in perfect conditions.
What's included?
- All basic gear rental - mask / snorkel / fins / weightbelt / weights.
- All learning materials.
- Certification from AIDA, the worldwide governing body of freediving.
What's not included:
- Wetsuits. A wetsuit is not required for the pool, but we recommend bringing one if you have one, or purchasing one from us, in case you need extra warmth.
- Food.
- Transportation.
Purchasing your own gear
You don't need to purchase any gear to take this class - you can rent from us everything you need for the water class for free.
But if you would like to purchase gear from the Fins and Foam Gear Shop to get started on your own freediving adventures, we recommend ordering it for pick up at your water class, so that you can try everything on for size there and swap anything you need to.
FAQs
No. You can borrow everything you need for this class (mask / snorkel / fins / belt / weights) from us at no extra charge. If you have a wetsuit, you may wish to bring it as you will be somewhat warmer. But if you don't have a wetsuit, don't worry - the pool is heated to 85 degrees, and there is a hot tub next to it that you can jump into if you need an extra boost of warmth!
Yes. As long as you complete both the land and water classes, and demonstrate that you know how to freedive safely, you will receive a Level 1 certification from AIDA, the worldwide governing body of freediving.
Our class moves at a more advanced pace than the standard AIDA curriculum, so it also includes the opportunity to complete the theory, confined water, and some of the open water requirements of the Level 2 (Intermediate Freediver) AIDA certification. If you are interested in upgrading your certification from Level 1 to Level 2, you can sign up for the next class in the series, Freediving 2, and complete the remaining requirements at your own pace.
Our class moves at a more advanced pace than the standard AIDA curriculum, so it also includes the opportunity to complete the theory, confined water, and some of the open water requirements of the Level 2 (Intermediate Freediver) AIDA certification. If you are interested in upgrading your certification from Level 1 to Level 2, you can sign up for the next class in the series, Freediving 2, and complete the remaining requirements at your own pace.
There is no depth requirement to get certified. The AIDA Level 1 certification is totally focused on safety. You must demonstrate you have both the knowledge and skills to freedive safely in order to receive the certification. But there is no pressure to dive to a certain depth.
Questions?