Introduction to Freediving Course

The Introduction to Freediving course is your gateway into the freediving world! The course takes place in the safe confines of a swimming pool allowing you the opportunity to master the basics of freediving before moving to confined and open water

The course includes a freediving manual, theory session and 3 hours in the pool. You will cover topics that include: 

  • The basics of safety in freediving (equipment, buddying)
  • Breathing for freedivers (relaxation, breath up, breath hold, recovery breathing)
  • Equalisation
  • Freediving Disciplines
  • Duck Diving

In addition we provide individual written feedback to each student, support and advice on the best kit to purchase, ongoing advice for your freediving journey and also a video of your course that you are free to download and share.  

The course takes place at the Dolphin Centre, Poole

You can check course availability over on the right on a pc, or scroll to the bottom of the page on your phone or just click here, just select the number of people and the click choose availability to book your place.

Our courses up until June are fully booked and then we switch over to our summer program until October. We will still be running intro courses subject to demand so if your interested in doing an introduction course between June and September then use the Contact Form to get in touch and we will get back to you with dates. 

Prior to your course, we will provide you with a freediving manual and online training material.

Then when you attend the course we will start by reviewing the theory and then get in the water, the first part of the course will introduce you to holding your breath and how to breath before moving onto finning technique and buddying, in the last part of the course we move into the dive pool which is 4m deep and allows you to combine the skills you have learnt and practice your duck diving and rescues.

We are not aware of any other courses in the UK that have both a 25m pool and deep dive pool shown in the videos below available to them for introduction to freediving courses so this is a great opportunity. 

Once you have completed the course, you will have the option to receive an internationally recognised freediving certification from AIDA  International for a fee of £10.

PRE-REQUISITES
Before you book your course you must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older (16 years with parent/guardian consent)
  • Be able to swim at least 100m non-stop without fins OR at least 200m non-stop with mask, fins and snorkel
  • Have completed the AIDA Medical Statement
  • Have completed the Liability Release
  • Read and agreed to our Terms and Conditions

 

Some browsers may block the booking system above, if this is the case then please click here to book 

What kit do I need to bring with me?

All you need to bring is a swimming costume, towel and a wetsuit. If you don’t have a wetsuit its a good idea to pick up a 3mm shortie you can buy these for around £30 and this will keep you warmer in the pool.

We will provide you with fins, a mask and snorkel, weight belt and weights.

 

Is freediving safe?

All sports come with inherent risk, freediving is safe when practiced correctly and responsibly. On our courses we will teach you how to progress safely and also how to minimise risk in freediving which includes diving with a trained buddy and diving within you limits. 

I have a health condition can I still join the club?

We are not doctors so we can’t give you medical advice. However, we will provide you with a medical form before you come on the course to complete. If you answer yes to any of the questions or you are unsure then we recommend speaking to your G.P.  We can also provide details for a Dive Doctor who is experienced in advising on freediving as some GP’s won’t sign medical forms off for SCUBA and freediving. 

What level of fitness is required for freediving?

Being fit is beneficial for freediving like most sports, however freediving does not require the same level of aerobic fitness as running for example. So, as long as you are comfortable swimming 100m non-stop then you should be fine on our introduction to freediving course. 

Once I complete the course can I join the club?

Yes, once you have completed the course then you will be able to join our beginners sessions to improve your skills. We limit the size of these sessions to ensure the best learning environment and because of this, there is often a waiting list if you would like to join the club after completing the course then let us know at the end of your course and we will discuss this with you. 

Am I too old to start freediving?

Freediving can be enjoyed at any age, the oldest freediver we have been diving with is 84 and David one of the past members of the Poole club went on to set 4 Masters World Records in freediving at the age of 60, so as long as you can swim 100m non-stop and don’t have any health conditions that would stop you diving then you will be fine on our introduction course.

Does the course provide a recognised qualification?

Yes, the course provides you with an internationally recognised freediving qualification from AIDA International 

Why does the course take place in a swimming pool and not in open water?

Have you heard the phrase “walk before you run”?  Whilst there are course providers that will take you straight out to sea or to a lake, these can overwhelm some students particularly if they can’t see the bottom and they may struggle to learn the basics in these environments and come away from their course disappointed. 

Swimming pools provide a warm and controlled environment to learn key skills for freediving such as how to hold your breath, kick correctly and equalise. We start the course in 1m of water and finish the course in the 4m dive pool so regardless of your ability or water confidence you have time to gradually adapt to freediving. 

 

I have been freediving for years but don't have a qualification can I skip the course and join the club?

It is important for all club members to have a solid foundation in freediving to enable them to safely buddy other students and our insurance requires all members to hold a freediving qualification therefore you will need to complete a freediving course before joining the club.  

 

I'm a scuba instructor do I need to do a course to join the club

Although Scuba and freediving both take place underwater, this is where the similarities end therefore you will need to undertake a course before joining the club.

Pool Sessions

Join us in the pool for our Tuesdays sessions from 7:30-8:30 at the Dolphin Leisure Centre, Kingland Rd, Poole BH15 1TN.

Vobster Sessions

From April through to September we run courses, coaching and also fun diving sessions at Vobster Quay, the UK’s leading dive location with depths from 5-36m.