Freediver

The PADI Freediver course is where breath-hold diving begins - a single, focused day that opens up an entirely different way of experiencing the underwater world. Rather than relying on scuba equipment, freediving strips things back to the essentials: your breath, your body, and the water around you. It is an increasingly popular route into diving for people who want the calm, meditative feel of moving silently beneath the surface without the bulk of a tank and regulator.

No previous freediving experience is needed, which makes this a genuine starting point rather than a step reserved for confident swimmers only. You will need to be at least 12 years old, comfortable in the water, and in good general health, but beyond that the course is built to welcome complete beginners. Training blends classroom-style knowledge development with pool and confined water sessions, where you will learn proper breathing techniques, relaxation methods, and safety protocols under the guidance of a PADI professional.

By the end of the course you will understand how the body responds to breath-holding and depth, and you will have practised the core skills - static apnea, breathing patterns, and safe buddy procedures - that underpin every level of freediving that follows. It is as much about developing awareness of your own physiology as it is about technique.

For divers who catch the freediving bug, the natural next step is the Advanced Freediver course, which builds on these foundations with greater depth and more advanced breath-hold skills. Delivered at The Diving Academy's training centres, this course is a great way to try a genuinely different discipline within the sport.