"I had an incredible experience completing my PADI freediving course with Michael! His teaching style was clear, patient, and motivating, which made every step of the learning process feel safe and enjoyable."
Verified Review
GUEST REQUIREMENTS
Swimming skills, good health
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Active
WHAT TO BRING
Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, wetsuit (can rent).
CANCELLATION POLICY
Full refund with 2 weeks. Partial refunds with less notice. See terms.
WHAT GUESTS ARE SAYING
4.9★ from 149 reviews Google
Students like that the class is small and personal, not a rushed resort-style intro. Reviews often mention how clearly the instructors explain breath-up, recovery breathing, and safety so that static and dynamic holds feel calm instead of stressful. People also appreciate that all the freedive gear is provided, which makes it easy to try the sport before buying a mask, snorkel, long fins, and suit.
This will be your first step toward discovering why freediving is becoming a popular way to explore beneath the waves. No previous freediving course is required. This course teaches you about freediving principles and provides you with an introduction to the concepts and skills used by recreational freedivers. You learn basic freediving principles and focus on practicing breath-hold techniques in a pool. You will earn a certification recognition after successfully completing this program.
What's included:
- All necessary freediving gear
- PADI Freediver e-Learning study materials
- PADI certification processing fee
- Classroom session
-Confined Water/pool session
What's not included:
- Transportation from and to the course venues
Itinerary:
- Friday - Classroom 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
- Saturday - Pool 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Highlights:
- Classroom/Knowledge - development about freediving principles through independent study with the Freediver Academic Online Materials, as well as an Instructor-led classroom session.
Pool/Confined water session to learn breath-hold techniques and static and dynamic apnea.
Goal – static apnea of 90 seconds and dynamic apnea of 25 meters/80 feet.
Additional information:
- What to bring:
Towel, Swimsuit, swim shorts, sunscreen, water or favorite hydration drinks, and snacks.
- Pool Training Wetsuit - a 3 or 4/3 mm surf suit/triathlon swimsuit or similar is recommended for pool training. Please let us know if you cannot provide your own pool wetsuit.
- We do not require you to supply or own your own freediving gear for this course. During your classroom session with your instructor, you will learn about the importance of the various freediving equipment items and will be able to make a more informed purchase decision after the course.
Prerequisites:
- Be at least 15 years of age (with parental consent) or older
- You need adequate swimming skills and need to be in good physical health.
- NO prior experience with scuba diving, snorkeling, or freediving is required.
- Paperwork: Complete the PADI Medical Questionnaire, Freediver Liability Release, and the Statement of Understanding.
FAQs:
What is the PADI Basic/Intro To Freediver Course with Dive California?
The PADI Freediver course is the first level of freediving and includes an instructor-led classroom session and, confined water (or pool) session.
What is included in the PADI Freediver course with Dive California?
All necessary freediving gear PADI Freediver e-Learning study materials
PADI e-certification
Instructor-led classroom session Confined Water/pool session
What is the minimum age for the PADI Freediver Course with Dive California?
Minimum age for the PADI Freediver course is 15 years of age, in good health, and have adequate swimming skills.
What should I bring?
Towel, Swimsuit, swim shorts, sunscreen, water or favorite hydration drinks, and snacks.
Pool Training Wetsuit - a 3 or 4/3 mm surf suit/triathlon swimsuit or similar is recommended for pool training. Please let us know if you cannot provide your own pool wetsuit.
Will I receive a certification?
You will earn a certification recognition after successfully completing this program.Dive California is a long-established San Diego dive center with instructors who work in local waters throughout the year. The team is made up of active PADI professionals who combine technical accuracy with a strong emphasis on safety, conservation, and proper buddy procedures. What distinguishes them is their ability to introduce complete beginners to breath-hold diving in a way that is methodical, calm, and confidence-building. Because they also train scuba and open-water freedivers, they understand the full pathway from pool practice to ocean exploration, and they teach this course as the first step in that journey.
Dive location confirmed after booking.
• 72 Hour Cancellation Policy strictly enforced, NO exceptions! NO REFUNDS are issued if the cancellation notification is received less than 72 hours from the start of the tour or course as well in a NO SHOW incident, there will be a 100% cancellation fee charged to your credit card.
• Due to our group size limitations on some activities, we cannot absorb the cost of people canceling at the last minute, when we are turning away people from tours or courses that day. When you give us your credit card information to hold a reservation, you are agreeing to the following cancellation terms and conditions:
• Less than 14 days’ notice, but at least 7 days prior to start of the course, you may move into another course schedule with a $75 administration fee.
• Less than 7 days’ notice, prior to start of the course, you may move into another course schedule with a 50% administration fee of the total course cost.
• If the cancellation notification is received less than 7 days’ notice, but at least more than 72 hours from the start of the course, there will be a 50% cancellation fee charged.
• NO REFUNDS will be issued on PADI digital TouchTM study materials, used or unused.
• No refunds will be issued for PRIVATE COURSE CANCELLATIONS, because we have booked and held those specific dates for you or your private group. (If you must change/cancel the course and we are able to fill the date, we will move the deposit/full payment to the new date, minus the 20% administration fee.
• To complete a missing course session/segment for reasons other than weather cancellations, you may do so for $75 per day during any future course dates.
• We reserve the right to cancel/reschedule the course/booked activity due to an unforeseen event or adverse weather/ocean condition or unsafe diving conditions and transfer the student to the next course convenient for the student or refund deposits fees received.
• A full refund is given if the course is cancelled/rescheduled 72 hours prior to the dive date or if the dive(s) is cancelled by the Instructor due to unforeseen events, adverse weather/ocean condition or unsafe diving conditions.
• DIVE CALIFORNIA cancellation policy supersedes all previous credit card agreements you have with your credit card company. Cancellations will be only accepted during business hours 9 to 6. We are open 7 Days A Week. Messages left on voicemail do not constitute an accepted cancellation!
• If you are required to have a doctor's excuse for a "YES" answer on the medical waiver for any Scuba Dive or Certification class and if you fail to provide it BEFORE the start of your course you WILL NOT be permitted to dive and you WILL NOT receive a refund for the booking. Additionally, if you cannot swim and cannot complete your dives, you will not be given a refund.
• We reserve the right to cancel any course date if there are less than 3 students registered, in that case we will give no less than 1 week notice of the change and we do our best to assist your inconvenience by that change as we value your time and respect your busy schedule. In the event of a cancellation we will transfer you to the next upcoming course convenient to the student or refund deposits and fees received.
FOLIO TRAVELOGUE
Breathwork Underwater: First Steps into Freediving
Most of us think of breathwork as something that happens in a studio, on a mat, eyes closed. This course shows you what happens when you take that same control of breath into the water. You learn what your body is actually doing when it holds, how to prepare, how to stay calm, and how to come back up clean. It feels less like a sport and more like discovering that your nervous system is capable of much more softness than you thought.
Day one gives your mind the map. You go through the physiology of breath hold, what the urge to breathe really means, and how to keep the experience safe for yourself and your partner. The instructor slows everything down. You are not asked to power through discomfort. You are asked to notice it, name it, and manage it. That shift from reacting to observing is where a lot of people feel the first click.
Breath is the doorway. Freediving just shows you how wide it can open.
Day two is where the magic shows up. In the pool you try static apnea for the first time, face in the water, supported. You hear the count. You stay relaxed. At some point you realize you just passed the time you thought was your limit. Then you try dynamic apnea, moving through the water on a single breath, long and efficient. It is impossible not to feel stronger after that. Not because it was extreme, but because it was quiet and intentional.
You leave with a PADI recognition, yes, but you also leave with a new mental tool. You know how to calm yourself before you go under. You know how to support a friend. You know that your body can stay in water, in silence, longer than your first impulse says it can. That is useful for freediving. It is also useful for life.