Uncover the Best Beginner Freediving Courses: A Comprehensive Review

Comprehensive Review of Beginner Freediving Courses

Freediving Schools and Federations Offering Beginner Courses

1. Apnea Total

Main Course: Basic Freediving Course

Main Office Location: Koh Tao, Thailand

Website: Apnea Total

2. Molchanovs Freediving Education

Main Course: Wave 1 (Beginner Freediving)

Main Office Location: Multiple locations worldwide

Website: Molchanovs

3. Freedive International

Main Course: Beginner Freediving Course

Main Office Location: Dahab, Egypt; Tenerife, Spain; Koh Tao, Thailand; Zanzibar, Tanzania

Website: Freedive International

4. Performance Freediving International (PFI)

Main Course: Freediver Course

Main Office Location: United States and Canada

Website: PFI

5. Freediving Instructors International (FII)

Main Course: Level 1 Freediver

Main Office Location: United States

Website: FII

6. The Freedive School

Main Course: Beginner Freediver

Main Office Location: Multiple locations

Website: The Freedive School

7. AIDA International

Main Course: AIDA 1 (Introduction to Freediving)

Main Office Location: Switzerland

Website: AIDA International

8. Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS)

Main Course: CMAS 1-Star Freediver

Main Office Location: Italy

Website: CMAS

9. Scuba Schools International (SSI)

Main Course: SSI Basic Freediving

Main Office Location: United States

Website: SSI

Courses Itinerary, Test Results, and Office Locations

1. Apnea Total

Itinerary: Theory sessions, breathing techniques, static apnea, dynamic apnea, open water dives.

Test Results: Practical assessment in static and dynamic apnea, open water skills.

Main Office Location: Koh Tao, Thailand

Website: Apnea Total

2. Molchanovs Freediving Education

Itinerary: Online theory, pool sessions, open water dives.

Test Results: Practical skills assessment, depth achievements.

Main Office Location: Multiple locations worldwide

Website: Molchanovs

3. Freedive International

Itinerary: Classroom theory, pool training, open water sessions.

Test Results: Skills assessment in confined and open water.

Main Office Location: Dahab, Egypt; Tenerife, Spain; Koh Tao, Thailand; Zanzibar, Tanzania

Website: Freedive International

4. Performance Freediving International (PFI)

Itinerary: Classroom lectures, pool training, open water dives.

Test Results: Practical assessments, depth and time achievements.

Main Office Location: United States and Canada

Website: PFI

5. Freediving Instructors International (FII)

Itinerary: Theory lessons, pool training, open water skills.

Test Results: Skills assessment, safety and rescue procedures.

Main Office Location: United States

Website: FII

6. The Freedive School

Itinerary: Introduction to theory, practical pool training, open water dives.

Test Results: Assessment of diving techniques and safety skills.

Main Office Location: Multiple locations

Website: The Freedive School

7. AIDA International

Itinerary: Classroom theory, pool sessions, open water dives.

Test Results: Practical assessments, static and dynamic apnea, depth performance.

Main Office Location: Switzerland

Website: AIDA International

8. Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS)

Itinerary: Theory sessions, confined water training, open water dives.

Test Results: Assessment in confined and open water skills, depth and breath-hold duration.

Main Office Location: Italy

Website: CMAS

9. Scuba Schools International (SSI)

Itinerary: Online and classroom theory, pool sessions, open water training.

Test Results: Practical assessments, depth achievements, safety skills.

Main Office Location: United States

Website: SSI

Pros and Cons of Each School's Beginner Course

1. Apnea Total

Pros: Experienced instructors, focus on safety, relaxed environment.

Cons: Limited locations, not as well-known as other schools.

2. Molchanovs Freediving Education

Pros: Comprehensive training system, flexible course structures, high emphasis on safety.

Cons: Can be costly, might be too intensive for casual learners.

3. Freedive International

Pros: Wide range of locations, experienced instructors, various levels of courses.

Cons: Inconsistent training quality between locations, can be crowded.

4. Performance Freediving International (PFI)

Pros: High-performance training, led by championship freedivers, online and in-person options.

Cons: Expensive, highly competitive focus may not suit recreational divers.

5. Freediving Instructors International (FII)

Pros: Emphasis on knowledge and comfort, detailed training.

Cons: Less focus on performance, fewer international locations.

6. The Freedive School

Pros: Quality education, supportive community, varied course levels.

Cons: Limited information on some course details, newer organization.

7. AIDA International

Pros: Well-known authority in competitive freediving, extensive record verification.

Cons: Primarily focused on competition, less emphasis on recreational diving.

8. Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS)

Pros: Long-standing organization, diverse underwater activities.

Cons: Bureaucratic structure, less specialized in freediving.

9. Scuba Schools International (SSI)

Pros: Global presence, well-structured courses.

Cons: Primarily known for scuba, may not be as specialized in freediving.

Apnea Boom's CMAS Discovery Freediving Course: Overview

Under the expert guidance of certified CMAS instructors, you will learn the fundamental techniques of freediving, including breath-hold, proper finning techniques, and effective equalization methods. Through a series of interactive sessions, you will delve into the principles of freediving, gaining an initial understanding of the underwater environment and the human body's adaptation to breath-hold diving.

The practical aspect of the CMAS Discovery Freediver Course is where the magic truly happens. You will have the opportunity to practice your newly acquired skills in controlled open water environments, gradually progressing as you gain confidence.

Whether you aspire to become a competitive freediver or simply want to immerse yourself in the beauty of the underwater world, the CMAS Discovery Freediver Course offers an unparalleled adventure that will ignite your passion for exploration and open doors to a lifetime of underwater discovery.

So, take the plunge and embark on an unforgettable journey into the depths with CMAS as your trusted companion.

About Apnea Boom

Evgeny Smirnoff - AIDA/CMAS DYN Champion

   Founder – Evgeny Smirnoff

  • CMAS certified instructor
  • Moscow Apnea Championship winner (2018, 2019, 2020)

  • Static Breath Hold over 6:49"

  • Dynamic Apnea 128 m

  • Dynamic Apnea with bifins 181 m

  • Dynamic Apnea with monofin 204 m

  • Constant Weight Dive 52 m

Why Apnea Boom?


Advanced Training Education


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Private training and individual lessons

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