Snorkelling Course2019-04-10T12:16:05+01:00

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.

COURSE COST £32

For the two evening training sessions per person. Minimum two people.

EQUIPMENT

You only need a few bits of equipment which include:

Fins

These are plastic, fibre glass or carbon fibre blades, attached to rubber foot pockets that we use to propel ourselves through the water. The large surface of the fins allow a large amount of forward momentum to be gained for minimum effort. It is worth paying a bit extra for these as they will help you on the days you may find yourself swimming against a current for example.

Mask

The most essential part of your snorkelling equipment to make sure fits comfortably, is your mask. They are clear so we can see underwater. They have the nose enclosed to help with our breathing and so that the ears can be ‘cleared’ when we dive any depth under the water.. Made from a number of materials with differing benefits, it is essential that you have a good mask that fits before you snorkel.

Snorkel

Snorkels come in all shapes, sizes, colours and materials, and allow snorkel divers to breathe underwater whilst keeping their faces submerged. Again it is important to get a comfortable snorkel that does not cause you any pain in your mouth. A simple ‘J’ tube is sufficient, but for extra cost you can get self purging snorkels, chimneys on the top to stop water getting in or no the full face time mask/snorkel combo like the easybreath snorkelling mask. We can advise on the best equipment for you to use.

Wetsuit

Wetsuits are usually used by snorkelers in colder climates. In addition to warmth they also add a layer of protection from scrapes, jelly fish stings, sun burn and bumps on rocks.

IMPORTANT NOTE

There are a few important points that all snorkelers should be aware of: 

Only ever go into the water at designated sites where help is obtainable, Know the area that you are snorkelling in and if there are any areas to avoid

Avoid Snorkelling alone. An overwhelming number of accidents happen to divers who go it alone, so having a buddy with you is a valuable asset in case of mishap. Choose a buddy who you are comfortable with and stay close together while you are out. And don’t snorkel if you cannot swim..

Always wear purpose made, quality, snorkelling equipment rather than very cheap imitation gear.

Minimise contact with the reef or kicking up the bottom in silt or mud for the health of the environment and your own

Remember to equalize the pressure in your ears if diving down while snorkelling – do it early and often (as a guide – once for every meter you descend). If it hurts – stop! LEARN FROM AN INSTRUCTOR HOW TO DO THIS.

Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but memories

In cold water wear some form of thermal protection. Neoprene suits are used for this purpose, and they also provide protection against knocks, stings or scrapes.

In a warm climate always wear a t-shirt when snorkelling, many sun protection creams are not fully waterproof, and are slowly washed off. Thus those that stay out snorkelling for prolonged periods can expose themselves to a risk of being burned.

There is much more advice these are just some of my favourites.

Snorkelling is a skilled sport, there are many benefits of taking a course with an experienced instructor so you may benefit from efficiency, longer dive times, increased safety and comfort, and avoiding wasting money on inappropriate equipment.

1/4: PICK A COURSE DATE

Find the next available Snorkelling 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 corresponding payment 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.

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.

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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