Freedive Studio
Freedive every Sunday morning at beautiful Lake Berryessa in the heart of California wine country.
Our weekly classes are designed for everyone from certified beginners to expert freedivers. Build upon what you learned in your Beginner Class, or deepen your practice at your own pace.
Our weekly classes are designed for everyone from certified beginners to expert freedivers. Build upon what you learned in your Beginner Class, or deepen your practice at your own pace.
Questions? Ask us anything.
Want to purchase drop-in classes? See below.
Additional Benefits
Join pool classes
If you have just completed the Beginner Class, and would like some extra time to practice in the pool before coming to the lake, your membership entitles you to attend as many additional Pool Classes as you like.
Bring friends
Your studio membership comes with a free guest pass every week. Bring a (certified) friend.
Work towards AIDA certifications
Make progress towards and obtain AIDA certifications like Levels 2, 3, 4 and even the most prestigious non-professional certification AIDA offers, Competition Depth Safety.
Train for spearfishing trips
Practice effortless entries, long freefalls and extended bottom time under expert supervision. Practice waiting patiently 60-100 feet deep for wahoo, mahi mahi and tuna to approach.
or Ask us anything.
Class Schedule
Lake classes take place weekly every Sunday morning.
9am
9am
Meet by the lake. Warm up, stretching and breathwork.
10am - noon
10am - noon
Freedive.
1pm
1pm
Lunch at the Berryessa Gap Winery.
Located 15 minutes down the road from the lake, the Berryessa Gap winery is the perfect place for post-freedive food and drinks. Food trucks and live music complement their delicious wines.
Higher Membership Tiers
Safety is one of of our core values at the Studio. You can get discounts on your membership by passing higher level safety certifications.
Competition Safety
For freedivers who have obtained AIDA's most prestigious Safety certification, Competition Depth Safety.
$49 per month
Apply
Instructors and Judges from all agencies are welcome to attend the Studio anytime without charge. Deepen your PB with trained safeties and competition-grade lines, and share your knowledge and experience with those around you.
If you had reached a higher tier, such as Safe Freediver or Buoy Leader, before cancelling, you can't automatically rejoin at this tier. You must rejoin at the regular tier, but you can upgrade back to your higher tier once you re-take its safety test.
Drop In Classes
Want to drop in to check it out, or spread some classes out over time? You can buy a single class or pack of classes.
No problem. You are also welcome to join drop-in classes if you have a Level 1 or higher certification from FII, Molchanovs, SSI, NAUI or PADI. If you are certified with another agency, please check with us before purchasing.
You cannot purchase a single drop-in class, but you can get a 4-pack or 10-pack or a monthly membership. This is to make sure you have enough time to thoroughly learn the safety practices in open water.
Once you pass the Safe Freediver test, you can switch to single drop-in classes from then on if you prefer.
Once you pass the Safe Freediver test, you can switch to single drop-in classes from then on if you prefer.
Our Values
Practice at your own pace
Our classes are designed to let you practice and make progress at your own pace. Not every dive has to be deeper than the last.
Safety
We follow worldwide best practices for freediving safety, and buddying & rescue training is a part of every class.
Community
Freediving is a team sport. Community is built into our first rule of safety: never dive alone.
FAQs
Yes. You can't rent gear for these classes. You should own your own gear and be comfortable with it.
You should bring:
- Your basic freediving gear (mask / snorkel / fins)
- A 7mm, open cell wetsuit
- At least 10 lbs of weight
- Swimmers, towel, sunscreen, water, and closed-toed shoes
You can purchase any freediving gear you need from the Fins and Foam Gear Shop.
Buoys and lanyards are provided. You are welcome to bring your own lanyard if you have one. For safety reasons, you must use the buoys provided.
Yes. You can work towards any level of AIDA certification during these classes, from Level 2 (Intermediate) all the way up to Assistant Instructor and Instructor.
You can see the challenges you need to complete for each level here. It is your responsibility to keep track of the challenges you have left to complete. Once you are ready to complete a challenge, ask one of our instructors to witness you, and we will officially enter it in the AIDA system.
You can see the challenges you need to complete for each level here. It is your responsibility to keep track of the challenges you have left to complete. Once you are ready to complete a challenge, ask one of our instructors to witness you, and we will officially enter it in the AIDA system.
You must be a certified freediver to join these classes, but you don't need to be diving to any particular depth. Your deepest dive can be 5 meters or 50 meters.
You can dive up to 30 meters (100 feet), or, after taking additional advanced safety training, up to 60 meters (200 feet).
Class is never cancelled for rain. As freedivers, we are well prepared for water, and freediving is beautiful in the rain! Class is only cancelled when conditions are unsafe to proceed. Such conditions include lightning over the lake or wildfires on the road.
No, you must pass the appropriate test (Safe Freediver, Buoy Leader, etc) in order to join the higher tier.
Your monthly membership payment is billed on the day you start and then monthly thereafter. You can cancel your membership at any time here or by emailing john@finsandfoamfreediving.com.
Questions?