Level 1 — from curious
to qualified
The certification every freediver starts with — taught safely and correctly under real instruction, not guesswork from forums or YouTube. First course: December 5–13, 2026, St. Bart's pool, Midtown.
What you'll learn
- Freediving breathing technique — the breath-up and recovery breathing that carry the whole sport
- Relaxation under water — static and dynamic apnea, built calmly and progressively
- Fundamental equalization — the skill that unlocks the first meters for almost everyone
- Safe entries and technique — how trained freedivers actually move
- The buddy system — one-up, one-down, and the rescue skills that keep the sport safe
By the end you're certified as a qualified buddy — the credential that lets you join coached sessions, train with partners, and step toward deeper, supervised diving.
The first course: December 2026
Four sessions at St. Bart's Church Pool (109 E 50th St) across two weekends:
| Session | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saturday, December 5 | 12:00 – 3:45 PM |
| 2 | Sunday, December 6 | 4:00 – 7:45 PM |
| 3 | Saturday, December 12 | 12:00 – 3:45 PM |
| 4 | Sunday, December 13 | 4:00 – 7:45 PM |
Prerequisites
No prior freediving or scuba experience required. You should be a comfortable swimmer — we'll confirm the exact swim standard with you when you book. A standard dive-industry medical questionnaire applies before the course.
Format: private or group
Complete Level 1 through private lessons or group lessons — same curriculum, same certification, different training experience. The December course runs in small groups capped low.
After Level 1
Level 1 opens the door to Level 2 (deeper water, advanced technique), ongoing training sessions, and — eventually — our instructor track. Most students are surprised how quickly the water starts to feel like home.