AIDA 1 Course2020-07-17T18:23:06+01:00

AIDA 1 FREEDIVING COURSE

*Due to the Covid lockdown we had emptied our diary, and we are just starting to fill it again now which explains all of the gaps, please be advised we are a full time school and we are very flexible so if you want a course running and there are no dates currently in the calendar we can accommodate additional dates. More dates are being added almost daily for all types of courses. Thank you for your patience.

The most basic course to learn freediving is with the AIDA 1 course, it is really a taster or for anyone with no previous freediving training, offered as a required minimum freediving entry level in conjunction with a spearfishing or mermaiding course. It is possible (and in many cases recommended) to go straight to the AIDA 2  qualification which industry wide is recognised as the first qualification you can dive independently of a dive professional.

AIDA 1 Course is a theory and pool/shallow open water based qualification, ideal for beginners who are interested in learning the sport of Freediving especially for Scuba divers, open water swimmers, triathletes and snorkellers.

COURSE COST £125

Price includes, all equipment and course materials. Entrance fees to dive site / pool are charged separately if applicable. Certification fee payable to AIDA

COURSE OUTLINE

The purpose of the course is to familiarize the student with the skills, knowledge, planning, organisation, safety procedures, techniques, problems, hazards and enjoyment of breath hold freediving.Students will be introduced to the basic disciplines of freediving; Static Apnea, Free immersion and Constant Weight Freediving.

On successful completion you can for a small extra fee receive a certification card from AIDA which you can then show as proof of experience almost anywhere in the world and Open up the opportunity to continue your education and increase your skill set. As an entry level course it qualifies you to dive within a group with more qualified divers.

You will have a go at Static Apnea, to see how long you can hold your breath lying still, after learning a few relaxation and visualisation techniques to help you along. You will also learn how to be a good buddy to someone as they train.

DAY 1:

We start with online theory and onto dry exercises where we cover breathing exercises and Statics (STA)

  • Certification:
    AIDA 1 – Taster session.
    Allows you to dive with the club in the open water environment and join our spearfishing courses and deep mermaid course
  • Duration:
    1 Day
  • Day 1:
    Knowledge development (online classroom theory), Static Apnea (wet or dry), Constant weight and Free Immersion.
  • Equipment:
    Swimming kit and comfortable clothes. All freediving equipment used during the course will be provided.
  • Requirements:
    Be 18 years or older (or 16 with parental supervision), have completed the medical statement and be able to swim at least 100 metres non-stop and 300 metres with mask, snorkel and fins.
  • Price: £120

1/4: PICK A COURSE DATE

Find the next available AIDA 1 course from the google calendar below.

If you cannot find any dates for the above course, please contact steve@freedivers.co.uk or call +44 (0) 7940 998915 and we will accommodate you the best we can.

NOTE: Make sure you have the correct course location as there may be a few.

2/4: PAY NOW

Reserve your spot on the course by making the booking below, please choose a date from the dropdown on the next page.

3/4: DOWNLOAD FORMS

When you purchase the course you will receive your Medical & Liability forms, please bring them filled in and signed on the day. NOTE: If you have answered ‘yes’ in any of the questions then you will need a doctor’s signature to verify it is safe for you to take part in freediving.

4/4: ALL DONE

Congratulations – you’re all done. We will send you an email in the next day or two with further course information including some exercises to start off with.

Are there any hidden costs?2020-07-07T11:50:29+01:00

Course fees include pool fees and equipment. For AIDA courses the certification costs are due at the end of the course you wish to be signed off for, normally 20 Euros per certification. The PADI courses include the first certification when you purchase the Freediver Touch. Open water fees are not included, some sites are free, some charge and that is payable locally.

Is all the equipment included?2020-07-07T11:50:28+01:00

Yes – all equipment is provided, the school carries full kit, enough to kit several groups at once, so sizing is rarely an issue.

Cross overs – if I am already a certified Freediver with another agency?2020-07-07T11:50:28+01:00

We have a cross over chart so that we can enrol you onto the appropriate course. Also those agencies that are not recognised, we can find fair ways of enrolling you onto the appropriate course and getting value from it. A freediver is a freediver, as well as rules being rules.

What is the minimum age?2020-07-07T11:50:28+01:00

18 years to become an AIDA Freediver, if you have parental permission and you are joining with a parent, the age is 16 years of age.

From the time I complete the pool and theory, and do the open water, how long do I have to complete the qualification?2020-07-07T11:50:28+01:00

12 months unless you visit us in-between that time and do some refresher training, then it can last another 12 months from that date. It is also possible to be signed off at the Pool Freediver level you are at (you would be charged a nominal fee for the certification if doing it using this method). Most people however want to move onto the open water section of the course and complete the full  Freediver course.

Do I need to be fit to do this course?2020-07-07T11:50:28+01:00

You can get fit doing the sport! General health is important for safety, you will get a medical form to fill in, it is a self-declaration form. If you have any significant medical problems (heart/lungs, diabetes, asthma for example) you would need to see a Doctor first to see if the sport was for you. Many people have mild symptoms that do not preclude them from the sport with a Doctors permission, however a serious condition would likely stop you. You will benefit from a basic level of fitness, but being slightly overweight or slightly unfit won’t stop you from doing really well in the course. It is something you can work on.

Is there any self-study to do?2020-07-07T11:50:28+01:00

We have put together some useful exercises and a reading pack for you to help you during the course. It is not compulsory to do this, however highly recommended.

Do I have to have any previous diving experience to do the AIDA 2 Star Freediver course?2019-04-01T16:48:54+01:00

No. It is designed as an entry level qualification, however, there is scope if you do have experience to still get benefits even from the entry level course. Our instructors are very experienced, so can take you to a higher level than required just to pass the course.

Instructors

Steve Millard
Steve MillardAIDA Freediving Instructor Trainer & PADI Master Freediving Instructor
Gary Lowe
Gary LoweFreediving Instructor & Aida International Judge
John Moorcroft
John MoorcroftAthlete, Spearfishing & Freediving Instructor
Mandy Buckley
Mandy BuckleyFreediving Instructor & Aida International Judge
Matthias Ruttimann
Matthias RuttimannAthlete & Freediving Instructor
Bart Lubecki
Bart LubeckiAthlete & Freediving Instructor

Title

Go to Top