Courses2020-05-24T00:50:19+01:00

FREEDIVING COURSES UK

ALL FREEDIVING COURSES

BEGINNER FREEDIVER

AIDA 1

The AIDA 1 course is designed as a resort taster. It is really good in summer for those not wanting to do pool training, or we can actually run it over winter in a deep pool as it is a depth only qualification. It is ideal for spearos who haven’t done a formal course before the spearfishing course and for mermaids who have done pool training and want to move onto equalisation to use the deep pool training sessions and move onto the outdoor training. 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 2

The AIDA 2 course introduces freediving for the complete beginner* and we certify through AIDA which is the worldwide industry standard for freedivers. This course aims to help students develop basic skills, knowledge and safety procedures necessary to enjoy freediving competently and within the limits of their experience.

The course is 3 days with all equipment, course materials, certifications and pool fees included in the price.

Course cost £295 + entrance fees to dive site if applicable + certification fees.

*Requirements:
Be 18 years of age or older (16 years with parental supervision), medically fit and be able to swim at least 200 metres non-stop and 300 metres with mask, snorkel and fins.

ADVANCED FREEDIVING

AIDA 

Interested in going deeper and improving your technique? This course goes into the theory of Freediving in more depth which will allow you to understand the physiology and techniques behind diving deeper. The course will help you improve your Freediving performance whilst advancing your safety and rescue skills.This course consists of three theory sessions, two pool sessions and four open water dives.

To successfully complete the AIDA 3 Freediver course you will have to perform a 2 minute 45 second breath hold, swim 55 m underwater with fins and dive to 24 meters in the open water.

AIDA 4

This course takes you to a whole new level of confidence in your Freediving. Not only will you learn the latest techniques for deeper diving but you will also learn more about conditioning your body for Freediving. This course will push you to the limits of your Freediving abilities. The AIDA 4 is the highest level a recreational freediver can achieve. The AIDA 4 can be combined with the Competition Freediver course for those who want to explore the challenge of competitive freediving.

This course consists of three theory sessions, two pool sessions and four open water dives.

To successfully complete the AIDA 4 freediver course you will have to perform a 3 minute 30 second breath hold, swim 70 m underwater with fins and dive to 32 meters in the open water.

AIDA INSTRUCTOR

Now that you have gained so much knowledge and skills on your Freediving journey, you might want to take things one step further and start helping others do the same.

The AIDA Freediving Instructor Course is a very intensive course and is usually run over a 7 to 10 day period and involves nearly 40 hours of instruction. You will have to prove your endurance and be able to comfortably dive to 40 meters and hold your breath for over 4 minutes.

AIDA COMPETITION SAFETY FREEDIVER

The purpose of the AIDA Competition Safety Freediver Course is to familiarise freedivers with the safety procedures and rules in place during an AIDA competition. Students will develop their knowledge and skills so they can act as a Safety Freediver during AIDA competitions. To conduct an AIDA AIDA Competition Safety Freediver Course, the following knowledge development, confined water session and open water session are to be included:

This course consists of three theory sessions, two pool sessions and four open water dives.

To successfully complete the AIDA 4 star freediver course you will have to perform a 3 minute 30 second breathold, swim 70 m underwater with fins and dive to 32 meters in the open water.

PADI FREEDIVER

PADI BASIC FREEDIVER (TASTER)

The PADI Basic Freediver course is a subset of the PADI Freediver course. It’s a great first step for developing solid freediving skills. You learn basic freediving principles and focus on practicing breathhold techniques in a pool or confined water site.

To enroll in a PADI Basic Freediver course you must be 12 years old or older. You need adequate swimming skills and need to be in good physical health. No prior experience with snorkeling, skin diving or freediving is required.

PADI FREEDIVER (BEGINNER)

Your first step toward discovering why freediving is becoming a popular way to explore beneath the waves. No previous freediving course is required.

Freediving is about inward power, discipline and control. If you’ve always wanted to enter the underwater world quietly, on your own terms, staying as long as your breath allows, then freediving is for you. Taking the PADI Freediver course is your first step toward discovering why freediving is becoming a popular way to explore beneath the waves.

To enroll in a PADI Freediver course you must be at least 15 years old. You need adequate swimming skills and need to be in good physical health. No prior experience with snorkeling, skin diving or freediving is required.

PADI ADVANCED FREEDIVER

Designed to refine and improve your freediving skills, allowing you to progress slowly while learning how your body performs during apnea (suspension of breathing).

Achieving a new freediving time or reaching a new depth is an incredible feeling. It satisfies that very personal desire to do your best and be proud of what you can accomplish. The PADI Advanced Freediver course is designed to fulfill that personal need to refine and improve your freediving skills, allowing you to progress slowly while learning how your body performs during apnea.

PADI MASTER FREEDIVER

For advanced freedivers who want to approach elite freediving levels. You’ll learn to bring your static apnea, dynamic apnea, free immersion and constant weight skills to the next level.

f you’re an advanced freediver who wants to learn how to fine-tune your lifestyle and training so that you can approach elite freediving levels, then the PADI Master Freediver course is for you. Through focused sessions, you’ll bring your static apnea, dynamic apnea, free immersion and constant weight skills to the next level.

To enroll in a PADI Master Freediver course you must be at least 18 years old and have a PADI Advanced Freediver certification (or a qualifying certification from another freediver organization). You also need to have Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR and First Aid) training within the past 24 months.

PADI FREEDIVER INSTRUCTOR

Turn your freediving passion into a profession. This instructor course is for the avid freediver who spends a lot time thinking about freediving and sharing details of their latest adventures.

If you’re an avid freediver, you likely spend a lot of time thinking about freediving, talking about freediving and sharing the details your latest freediving adventures. Becoming a PADI Freediver Instructor lets you take your passion for freediving to the next level and allows you to do what you enjoy as a profession. You must earn the PADI Freediver Instructor rating, but you gain a job that lets you share incredible underwater achievements with others – transforming their lives for the better while enriching yours.

There are two paths to earning the PADI Freediver Instructor rating. The first is for experienced freedivers who gain instructional skills by attending a PADI Freediver Instructor Training Course. The second path is for freediver instructors who want to join the PADI organization by attending a PADI Freediver Instructor Orientation.

To enroll in a PADI Freediver Instructor Training Course, you must be at least 18 years old, have a PADI Master Freediver certification (or have a qualifying certification), be a current Emergency First Response Instructor (or qualifying CPR/first aid instructor) and present a medical statement signed by a physician within 12 months.

Note that PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors (or higher rating) who have a PADI Advanced Freediver certification and are current Emergency First Response Instructor (or qualifying CPR/first aid instructor) and present a medical statement signed by a physician within 12 months may enroll in a PADI Freediver Instructor Training Course.

CLINICS

(DYN) MONO-FIN CLINIC

The Monofin Freediver clinic is designed to be an introduction to Monofin swimming and to help the student develop the basic skills, techniques and knowledge necessary to start using the Mono fin efficiently.

Students will be introduced to different approaches to freediving with a Mono-fin, exercises designed to work on style and how to design a training program. Advanced techniques will be covered far beyond any current course syllabus. We will use video analysis to help improve stroke.

Students do not have to own a mono before the clinic to benefit.

All instructors/guest speakers are to be previous UK squad members and/or UK record holders. There will be a minimum of two, hopefully three depending on student numbers to keep ratios low.

(DNF) NO-FINS CLINIC

The No-Fins Freediver clinic is designed to be an introduction to No-Fins swimming and to help the student develop the basic skills, techniques and knowledge necessary to start the sport efficiently.

Students will be introduced to exercises designed to work on style and how to design a training program. Advanced techniques will be covered far beyond any current course syllabus. We will use video analysis to help improve stroke. All instructors/guest speakers are to be previous UK squad members and/or UK record holders. There will be a minimum of two, hopefully three depending on student numbers to keep ratios low.

It will take the form of a short theory introduction with some videos, a pool session of around 3 hours and a follow up theory session to go through videos taken in the water on the day. There will be technique demonstrations, training ideas and other valuable information. The bottom line is if you are poor at no fins you will get big benefits, if you are already good with the fine tuning will get you extra distance.

(STA) STATIC CLINIC

The course will consist of a theory lecture to bring the student up to speed with current knowledge in this area, it will include some practical dry sessions, and then formation in the water for a static breath hold session under favourable conditions.

We will look at training zones and how to plan ahead for training, describe and practice some useful exercises, give you an idea of many relaxation exercises to practice regularly and during your static apnea practices and look at diet and nutrition and what you can do to maximise your statics. We designed this course sometime ago, and it has benefitted previous students from the course.

SPECIALITY

SPEARFISHING & FORAGING

Spearfishing and foraging is an environmentally friendly way of catching your food for the table. Todays destructive, unsustainable fishing methods are simply not a long term viable option.

To safely breath hold dive requires a certain amount of skill, at Apneists UK we take qualified Freedivers (AIDA 2*, SSI level 1, Apnea Academy levels for example) onto the course.

For non-qualified divers we offer an AIDA 1* one day course to teach you important skills to ensure you are safe in the environmet we will be taking you.

SNORKELLING COURSE

Snorkeling is a much loved sport, it is an easily accessible way of exploring the underwater world. You don’t need much equipment and the techniques used only taking a short time to learn, but it is worth learning the skills properly. This sport has become widely popular and is catered for worldwide. Details on how to contact us are at the bottom of this page.

Although snorkeling takes a short time to learn, it is a sport that can constantly challenge and takes a long time to get really proficient. The range of snorkeling sites across the world provide something for all ages and abilities. Snorkel diving allows intimate interaction with some stunning sub-marine environments and species.

Snorkeling is also essential to those that wish to participate in Octopush, the aquatic hockey game where teams of 8 attempt to push a weighted puck into the opponents submerged goal.

Our Instructor is qualified with multiple agencies to teach snorkelling since 1993 and can offer courses as well as taster sessions. He is qualified with PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), the BSAC (British Sub Aqua Club), AIDA the Freediving agency and has taught SSI (Scuba Schools International) courses too.

FIRST AID COURSES

EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONSE (EFR)

Emergency First Response (EFR) is a comprehensive and innovative CPR and first aid program brought to you by the Emergency First Response Corp., a corporate affiliate of PADI.

The comprehensive program is composed of several courses that you can teach together or as stand-alone courses: Emergency First Response Primary Care (CPR), Emergency First Response Secondary Care (First Aid) and Emergency First response Care For Children(CPR & First Aid). These courses provide extensive instruction in CPR and first aid, as well as recommended Automated External Defibrillator (AED), emergency oxygen and conscious choking management skills.

FIRST AID AT WORK

Emergency First Response (EFR) is a comprehensive and innovative CPR and first aid program brought to you by the Emergency First Response Corp., a corporate affiliate of PADI.

The comprehensive program is composed of several courses that you can teach together or as stand-alone courses: Emergency First Response Primary Care (CPR), Emergency First Response Secondary Care (First Aid) and Emergency First response Care For Children(CPR & First Aid). These courses provide extensive instruction in CPR and first aid, as well as recommended Automated External Defibrillator (AED), emergency oxygen and conscious choking management skills.

FAQ

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.

Do I have to have any previous experience for the PADI Freediver Course?2019-05-30T10:40:44+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.

Do I have to have any previous diving experience to do the AIDA 3 Freediver course?2019-05-30T10:47:08+01:00

Yes. You require to be a minimum qualification of AIDA 2 or equivalent. The pool is very easy to pass, the open water it is recommended that you are diving regularly.

Do I have to have any previous diving experience to do the AIDA 4 Freediver course?2019-05-30T10:48:29+01:00

Yes. You require to be a minimum qualification of AIDA 3 or equivalent. The pool is very easy to pass, the open water it is recommended that you are diving regularly.

ALL COURSES

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

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