Beginner Freediver Course (WAVE 1)

3 DAYS - $650 ($750 LHI Price)

LORD HOWE IS | COOLANGATTA


The Molchanovs Wave 1 Freediver Course is designed for students who are already confident in the water. The course aims to help students develop basic freediving skills in four disciplines; static & dynamic both performed in a pool environment, constant weight and free immersion both performed in the open water environment. Thorough theory and knowledge development covers the fundamentals of physiology, relaxation, breathing, equalisation, technique, safety procedures, equipment, and the marine environment.

Learn the basics of meditation and embrace an inward focused sport where success rises when you surrender to the sea, listen and feel the natural adaptations of your body as you completely let go.

What you will learn:

  • Correct breathing techniques

  • Static Apnea - Breath holding (STA)

  • Dynamic Apnea bi-fins and no fins technique (DYN)

  • Constant Weight Discipline (CWT)

  • Free Immersion (FIM)

  • Safety Techniques

  • Buddying procedures

  • Proper Equalisation

  • Efficient Duck Diving

  • Physiology

  • Marine Environment Awareness

  • Appropriate Equipment

Whats included:

  • Molchanov Dashboard Registration & Certification

  • Personal tuition by your passionate instructor

  • Pool admission

  • Boat charters

  • Video’s of your learning experience

Course Requirements:

  • Knowledge review and Exam completion

  • STA 1:30min

  • DYN 30m

  • CWT / FIM 12m

  • Blackout rescue from 5m

  • Deep buddying from 5m

What you need:

  • Snorkel/ freedive gear, 5mm wetsuit, mask & snorkel, fins, weight belt and weights

  • Warm change of clothes/ wind proof jacket

  • Water bottle

  • Hat & sunscreen

  • Transport yourself to locations on time

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Dates & Locations

Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef - WA
July - October
Get in touch for more details

Coolangatta - NSW
Contact georgie@livforthesea.com for more details

Lord Howe Island - NSW
October - May 2024/2025
Contact info@livforthesea.com

 

“ Learn to control your mind and the rest is limitless ”

 
Beginner Freediver Course

JESS
“I completed my level 1 course with Liv and had such an amazing experience. Liv teaches in a very professional but also personable/relatable manner. I felt comfortable throughout the whole course and gained so much excitement due to her passion for the ocean and free diving.”


TAELA
“I highly recommend this course to anyone who has an interest in stepping into the underwater world! I found Liv through a friend and I was so impressed with her knowledge & experience with freediving. She is very supportive, inclusive and friendly to all members and her training was very easy to follow and made sure that safety was always a number one priority. Thanks Liv for introducing me Liv, you’re amazing!”


MEREL
“Liv is a very experienced freediver and excellent teacher! Fabulous delicious healthy homemade snacks too! Liv's wonderful positive personality and her knowledge as an instructor made this challenging day a lot of fun! Highly recommended! My freediving journey has finally begun!”

ELLIE
“You can see how experienced and passionate she is through her teaching practices. You’ll be sure to have a laugh, learn ALOT and break barriers that you didn’t think possible. I was blown away with what I learnt throughout my course. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with something so personal”

MELLISSA
“Honestly, some of the best time (and money) that I've ever spent has been the freediving course with Liv. Liv has such a gentle and kind manner. She is very encouraging and I felt completely safe. I trusted her 110%. Not only did we learn practical skills, but it was lots of FUN! If you're considering freediving, I highly recommend Liv. If you're a water lover, like myself, I feel that time with Liv can change your life.”

NIELS
“Liv delivers the theoretical and practical content in a way which would make a professional educator jealous. After completing the course, I now understand what my limits are and can monitor my own body in a way which is comforting underwater. In short, my bottom time has doubled. Initially, spearing was merely a way of gathering food . Now I thoroughly enjoy the sensation of being underwater where I have the time and state of mind to observe and enjoy a new environment. Cannot recommend enough.”

SACHA
“We just finished our free diving course with Liv For The Sea. It was truly amazing, and an experience we will never forget! Liv is a natural teacher and encouraged each of us to achieve our goals. Liv shares her love for the sea and inspired us to take on this new adventure of free diving. We are very excited to see where this free diving journey will take us! Thank you so much Liv for believing in us! We highly recommend undertaking a free diving course with Liv For The Sea!”

PHIL
“Liv is an amazing instructor. She has a lovely calm and patient approach. Her positive encouragement, clear instruction and feedback assisted us in gaining skills and knowledge to be safe and further develop our appreciation for the sea. The free diving experience with Liv was a fun adventure and highly recommended.”

ELL
“One of the most magical experiences of my life! Liv was such an amazing teacher, she made me realise how it wasn’t just about reaching the end point and trying to achieve a goal but how relaxation and your mindset affects your performance. Her love and passion for the marine world made the whole experience so much more special. Could not recommend her more! Can’t wait to use these skills for the rest of my life, thanks so much liv!”

 
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  • Snorkeling is a leisurely activity that involves putting on a mask and snorkel and observing the underwater world from the surface. Typically, snorkelers do not undergo any formal training and remain at the surface for the majority of their time.

    Skin diving builds on snorkeling by incorporating brief dives below the water's surface. Skin divers often receive training to improve skills such as efficient duck dives and snorkel-clearing.

    Freediving takes underwater exploration to the next level, utilizing advanced breathing techniques and diving skills to increase depth and time spent beneath the surface. Through training, freedivers learn to conserve oxygen while breath-holding, and practice various disciplines such as static apnea, dynamic apnea, free immersion, and constant weight freedives.

  • The PADI Freediver course consists of three stages: knowledge development, confined water sessions, and open water sessions. In the knowledge development phase, you will gain an understanding of how your body responds to breath-holding and water pressure, as well as familiarize yourself with freediving equipment, safety regulations, and buddy procedures.

    In the confined water sessions, typically held in a swimming pool, you will learn various breathing techniques, and practice holding your breath while floating (static apnea) and while swimming (dynamic apnea). Additionally, you will learn basic rescue techniques and gain an understanding of your role as a dive buddy.

    During at least two open water sessions, you will hone your diving skills and practice breath-holding while descending. You will have the option to pull yourself along a line (free immersion) or dive headfirst while following a line (constant weight). You will gradually increase your depths while relaxing and enjoying each dive. Rescue training is another crucial component of the open water sessions.

  • This can be different for everyone, depending on your comfort levels and ability. The course runs over 3 - 4 sessions where requirements are to be met in order to pass the final course.

    As a performance-based program, your certification will be based on your ability to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to be a competent freediver. You are encouraged to progress at a pace that suits you, whether that means taking more or less time to become a skilled and confident freediver.

  • To enroll in the PADI Freediver course, you must be at least 15 years old. The PADI Basic Freediver certification, which includes knowledge development and a confined water session, is available to students as young as 12 years old.

    All student divers are required to complete a medical history form to ensure that they do not have any medical conditions that could pose a risk while freediving. If any medical conditions are indicated on the form, the student must obtain medical clearance from a doctor before beginning the course. In some areas, local laws require all students to obtain medical clearance prior to starting the course.

    Before beginning the course, your PADI Freediver Instructor will assess your comfort level in the water by having you demonstrate basic water skills. This includes a swim of 200 meters or 300 meters using a mask, fins, and snorkel, without stopping or time limit.

    Certification is awarded based on your ability to meet the performance requirements of the course. PADI Freediver courses are adaptable to individuals with physical challenges, and there are a variety of adaptive techniques available to ensure that all students can successfully complete the course.

  • The PADI Freediver course equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform basic freediving techniques, including static apnea, dynamic apnea, free immersion, and constant weight freediving, at depths ranging from 10-16 meters (30-55 feet). For those who are unable or prefer not to complete open water training, the PADI Basic Freediver rating can be earned by completing only the knowledge and confined water skill portions of the course, with a maximum depth of 6 meters (20 feet).

    The PADI Advanced Freediver course builds upon the knowledge and skills learned in the Freediver course and provides further development in static apnea, dynamic apnea, free immersion, and constant weight freediving, with depths ranging from 16-24 meters (55-80 feet).

    The PADI Master Freediver course offers continued knowledge and skill development with advanced training in static apnea, dynamic apnea, free immersion, and constant weight freediving at depths ranging from 24-40 meters (80-130 feet).

  • For you Beginner Freediver Course, basic snorkelling equipment will be fine. Full body wetsuit, mask & snorkel, fins and weightbelt.

    As you advance you want to be acquiring gear that you like. This means a comfortable fit and gear that suits your body and strength. A freediving wetsuit is a great investment, and a weight belt is essential if you dive in neoprene! A low volume mask and snorkel with no frills is the way to go.

  • No, you can adjust to water pressure as long as you have no abnormalities in your ears and sinuses. The discomfort you may feel is a common result of the water pressure on your ear drums. The good news is that our bodies are naturally able to adapt to pressure changes in our ears, you just need to know how to do it. If you are able to handle changes in air pressure while flying, you are likely to have no issues with adapting to water pressure while freediving.

  • Not necessarily. Any condition that affects the ears, sinuses, respiratory or heart function, or may alter consciousness is a concern, but only a doctor can assess a person’s individual risk. Doctors can consult with the Divers Alert Network (DAN) as necessary when assessing fitness to dive. Download the PADI Freediver Medical History Form to take to your doctor.

  • Sunburn, seasickness and dehydration, all of which are preventable, are the most common problems freedivers face. Injuries caused by not equalizing ears do occur, but these can be avoided by using proper technique and returning to the surface if your ears are not equalizing easily.

 
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