Wave 1/Lap 1 Freediver - Open Water Course

Freediving is an activity suitable for everyone, irregardless of experience or background. Freediving education with AIDA provides a safe and supportive environment that allows students to test themselves and discover a passion for breath-hold diving. As long as you're generally in good physical shape and aren't a heavy smoker, you can train and learn to freedive.

We recommend to sign up for an AIDA 1 Beginner Freediver course if you have little to no experience in an open water setting. A pool based course will help you achieve a comfort underwater and while holding your breath. If you already have experience in scuba diving, snorkeling or other open water activities, then we recommend to take an AIDA 2 course.

For an AIDA 1 Beginner Freediver course you must be able to swim 100 meters non-stop in a pool setting. For an AIDA 2 Intermediate Freediver course you must be able to swim 200 meters non-stop. For an AIDA 3 Advanced Freediver course you must have an AIDA 2 certification or similar experience. All courses require participants to sign a medical form, a liability release and be 18 years of age or older (16 years with parent or guardian consent).

For an AIDA 1 pool session you will need a wetsuit, a mask and snorkel. A thin wetsuit is required to stay warm while practicing statics in the pool. We recommend a triathlon/surfing/snorkelling wetsuit anywhere between 3mm to 5mm thick. As a reference, this is appropriate: https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5021-537/Fusion-4-3mm-Neoprene-Wetsuit For an AIDA 2 pool session you will need exactly the same equipment as an AIDA 1 pool session, and additonally fins, a weight belt and weights are required. Please bring a change of clothes, a yoga mat, pool sandals and any other gear appropriate for a pool session.

An open water session in Canada requires specific freediving equipment to maintain comfort, warmth and protection in the water. In the summer months, the surface water may be warm, however thermoclines persist at depth. For any open water course, session or training we require a mask, snorkel, fins, weight-belt, weights and a freediving wetsuit. Additionally, socks and gloves may be required. A freediving wetsuit is a two piece wetsuit that seals off water. We recommend a thickness from 5mm to 7mm for summer freediving and 7mm for winter freediving. Other equipment to bring is a change of warm and dry clothes, towel, sandals, and a warm beverage. You can rent a full freediving equipment package at a local dive shop (contact us for details) or purchase a wetsuit online. We recommend the local Canadian wetsuit manufactuer Oceaner Sporting Goods (www.oceaner.com). Sea to Sky Freediving students receive 10% off wetsuits from Oceaner. For more info on cold water freediving and wetsuits, check out this article: https://www.freedivewire.com/freediving-wetsuits/