Courses, community & training
AIDA-certified freediving courses for all levels. Weekly ocean sessions. Private coaching. And a community that shows up every Saturday.
The international standard
AIDA (International Association for the Development of Apnea) has been the global authority in freediving education and safety since 1992. Their certification system is recognized worldwide — your card works at any dive center on the planet.
AIDA 1 — Introduction to Freediving
A one-day door into the sport
AIDA 1 is a half-day to full-day introduction designed for confident swimmers who are brand new to breath-hold diving. You'll learn the fundamentals of relaxation, basic static apnea, introductory finning and duck dive technique, and buddy safety. No performance minimums — just demonstrate correct technique, relaxation, and safe behavior.
What you'll learn
- Relaxation techniques for body and mind
- Introduction to static apnea (STA)
- Basic finning and duck dive techniques
- Snorkel breathing and recovery breathing
- Equalization awareness
- Buddy supervision and surface rescue
- Equipment basics and freediver code of conduct
Requirements
Course format
AIDA 2 — Freediver Certification
The first full certification — your entry into real freediving
AIDA 2 is the international standard for beginner freediving certification and the most popular course we run. Over 2.5+ days, you'll cover theory, pool skills, and open water diving. You'll learn the full freediving breathing cycle, equalization, rescue procedures, and complete dives to 12–20 meters. This is the certification that opens the door to independent buddy diving worldwide.
What you'll learn
- Full freediving breathing cycle (relaxation, full breath, recovery)
- STA, DYNB, CWTB, and FIM training
- Effective finning and streamlining techniques
- Proper duck dives, turns, and equalization
- Rescue from 5–10m (blackout and LMC)
- Weighting and buoyancy awareness
- Freediving physics, physiology, and safety protocols
Requirements
Course format
AIDA 3 — Advanced Freediver
Go deeper with precision and autonomy
AIDA 3 is for certified freedivers who want to develop depth skills, deepen their physiological understanding, and train toward autonomy. You'll learn advanced Frenzel equalization, free-fall technique, CO₂ and O₂ tables, deep-water rescue protocols, and the physiology of diving beyond 20 meters. Lanyards required beyond 20m. This course enables you to plan and execute your own training with a qualified buddy.
What you'll learn
- Advanced Frenzel equalization
- Free-fall technique and fine-tuned weighting
- CO₂ and O₂ tables for performance training
- Deep-water rescue techniques
- STA, DYNB, FIM, CWTB mastery
- Physiology: barotrauma, lung function at depth, blood shift
- Decompression theory, blackout prevention, and surface intervals
Requirements
Course format
Which course should I take?
A quick comparison of the three AIDA levels we offer.
| AIDA 1 | AIDA 2 | AIDA 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 1 day | 2.5 days | 3 days |
| Max depth | 10m | 20m | 30m |
| STA requirement | None | 2:00 min | 2:45 min |
| Dynamic requirement | None | 40m | 55m |
| Depth requirement | None | 12–20m | 24m |
| Prerequisites | None | None | AIDA 2 |
| Swim test | 100m | 200m | AIDA 2 cert |
| Best for | Curious beginners | Committed beginners | Depth-focused divers |
Beyond certification
Discover Freediving
Try it with zero commitment
Not sure if freediving is for you? This half-day experience gives you a taste without the commitment of a full certification. You'll learn basic breathing technique, try your first guided breath holds in a pool, and get a feel for what freediving is all about. Most people are shocked by how long they can actually hold their breath with proper guidance — typically 2–3 minutes on the first session.
- Introduction to breathing technique and relaxation
- Guided static breath holds
- Basic pool skills and underwater swimming
- All equipment provided
- Applies toward AIDA 1 or 2 if you decide to continue
Group Ocean Sessions
Weekly guided dives with your crew
The heart of the club. Every Saturday, we meet at one of La Jolla's best dive spots — the Cove, the Canyon, Shores, or beyond — based on conditions. Sessions include a warm-up, skills focus, free diving time, and full safety coverage. It's training, community, and ocean exploration in one morning.
- Guided dives at La Jolla Cove, Canyon, Shores, and beyond
- Safety divers on every session
- Skills coaching and technique feedback
- Buddy matching for new members
- Conditions briefing and site selection
Private Coaching
Focused training for your specific goals
One-on-one training tailored to what you need. Whether you're working through an equalization plateau, preparing for competition, overcoming depth anxiety, or want to accelerate your certification — private coaching is the fastest path forward.
- Video analysis of your diving technique
- Personalized training plans
- Equalization troubleshooting (Frenzel, mouthfill)
- Mental game and relaxation coaching
- Pool and/or ocean sessions based on your goals
Dry Training & Community Collabs
Build your base on land
Not everything happens in the water. Dry training sessions focus on breathing drills, stretching, mobility, CO₂/O₂ tables, and the land-based work that makes you a better diver. We also partner with local fitness communities, surf crews, and movement studios for cross-training.
- Diaphragmatic breathing and breath hold tables
- Stretching and thoracic mobility for deeper breathing
- CO₂ tolerance training
- Partner sessions with local studios and gyms
- Open to non-members — bring a friend
Ready to go deeper?
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