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 consists of a land class followed by a water class.
You have two options for the format of the class - Compact and Extended. There may be different dates available for each, so if you just want to find the soonest available class, check both.
Option 1: Compact Format (new!)
Complete the classroom and pool parts of your class together in the same afternoon.
Land + Water Class
Land + Water Class
When: Saturday or Sunday afternoon (noon-5pm).
Where: College of Marin (classroom then pool).
Bring: Laptop, swimmers, towel, sunscreen, water, and any freediving gear you own already.
Where: College of Marin (classroom then pool).
Bring: Laptop, swimmers, towel, sunscreen, water, and any freediving gear you own already.
Option 2: Extended Format
The traditional option. Good if you prefer to have the class broken up into smaller time commitments, or like the idea of time for self-practice between the land and water parts.
Land Class
Land Class
When: Wednesday evening, 6-9pm.
Where: Online (via Google Meet).
Bring: Laptop.
Where: Online (via Google Meet).
Bring: Laptop.
Water Class
Water Class
When: Saturday or Sunday afternoon (2-5pm).
Where: College of Marin pool.
Bring: Swimmers, towel, sunscreen, water, and any freediving gear you own already.
Where: College of Marin pool.
Bring: Swimmers, towel, sunscreen, water, and any freediving gear you own already.
With this option, you can book your land and water classes in the same week, or in different weeks - whatever works best for you.
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 15 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 15 feet of depth, you'll learn the fundamental skills of freediving in perfect conditions.
What's included?
- All the gear you need for the water - 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.
- Food.
- Transportation.
Purchasing your own gear
You don't need to purchase any gear to take this class - you can rent everything you need for the water class from us for free.
But if you would like to purchase gear 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.
You can purchase everything you need to get started with freediving from the Fins and Foam Gear Shop.
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 (Beginner Freediver) 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 our Freediving Studio 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 our Freediving Studio 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?