AIDA 2 Program
Learn to freedive! This program provides a comprehensive introduction to freediving up to the AIDA 2 level.
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.
Program Schedule
The AIDA 2 Program consists of a land class, followed by a confined water class, followed by 4 open water training sessions at our Freedive Studio.
Land Class
Land Class
When: See booking page. Usually Wednesday evening, 6-9pm.
Where: Online (via Google Meet).
Bring: Any freediving gear you own already.
Where: Online (via Google Meet).
Bring: Any freediving gear you own already.
Confined Water Class
Confined Water Class
When: See booking page. Usually Saturday 2-5pm or Sunday 5-8pm.
Where: Miwok Aquatic Center in Marin.
Bring: Swimmers, towel, sunscreen, water, and any freediving gear you own already.
Where: Miwok Aquatic Center in Marin.
Bring: Swimmers, towel, sunscreen, water, and any freediving gear you own already.
Open Water Sessions
Open Water Sessions
When: Sunday 9am-noon.
Where: Lake Berryessa in Napa.
Bring: Swimmers, towel, sunscreen, water, and your freediving gear.
Where: Lake Berryessa in Napa.
Bring: Swimmers, towel, sunscreen, water, and your freediving gear.
When you book, you will choose the dates for your land and confined water classes.
You can book your land and confined water classes in the same week, or in different weeks - whatever works best for you.
You can't book your open water training sessions until you have successfully completed the confined water class. But don't worry, these sessions are easy to book because they run every Sunday.
You can book your land and confined water classes in the same week, or in different weeks - whatever works best for you.
You can't book your open water training sessions until you have successfully completed the confined water class. But don't worry, these sessions are easy to book because they run every Sunday.
Confined Water location
The confined water class takes place in the Bay Area's deepest pool. 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 confined water class takes place in the Bay Area's deepest pool. With crystal clear water heated to 85 degrees and 16 feet of depth, you'll learn the fundamental skills of freediving in perfect conditions.
Open Water location
The open water training sessions take place in beautiful Lake Berryessa in the heart of California wine country.
The warmest, calmest water in California provides safe conditions for you to deepen your freediving practice.
The open water training sessions take place in beautiful Lake Berryessa in the heart of California wine country.
The warmest, calmest water in California provides safe conditions for you to deepen your freediving practice.
What's included?
- Gear rental for the confined water class - mask / snorkel / fins .
- All learning materials.
- Certification from AIDA, the worldwide governing body of freediving.
What's not included:
- Gear rental for the open water sessions. By the time you join the open water sessions, you are expected to have your own gear.
- Food.
- Transportation.
Purchasing your own gear
Even though you don't need to own gear until your open water sessions, we recommend ordering it for pick up at your confined water class, so that you can try everything on for size there and get used to wearing everything in the water.
You can purchase everything you need to get started with freediving from the Fins and Foam Gear Shop.
FAQs
Yes. The AIDA 2 program is aimed towards serious students of freediving and as such, you are expected to acquire your own gear as the class progresses. However, you don't need to own any gear before the program starts.
No. You don't need any prior freediving experience to join the AIDA 2 Program. But you should know how to swim and be comfortable in the water.
Yes. As long as you successfully complete both the land and confined water classes, and demonstrate that you know how to freedive safely, you are guaranteed to receive at least an AIDA Level 1 certification.
You will also receive all the knowledge and training to achieve the next level of AIDA certification, Level 2.
Unlike Level 1, which focuses on safety and knowledge, Level 2 is designed to challenge your athletic performance as a freediver. To achieve certification, you must complete all the performance challenges. Therefore, you must train diligently to achieve this in the time required.
If you can't achieve the performance challenges within the time of class, you will be able to graduate with Level 1 certification, and you are welcome to join our Freedive Studio to continue your training until you achieve Level 2.
You will also receive all the knowledge and training to achieve the next level of AIDA certification, Level 2.
Unlike Level 1, which focuses on safety and knowledge, Level 2 is designed to challenge your athletic performance as a freediver. To achieve certification, you must complete all the performance challenges. Therefore, you must train diligently to achieve this in the time required.
If you can't achieve the performance challenges within the time of class, you will be able to graduate with Level 1 certification, and you are welcome to join our Freedive Studio to continue your training until you achieve Level 2.
In our waters, for AIDA 2 certification, you must dive to 10 meters, safety another diver at 7 meters, and perform a rescue from 5 meters.
Questions?