Learn everything you need to know about freediving in the unspoilt waters of Jervis Bay Marine Park.

Duration

2 Days

About

Learning to Freedive opens a whole new Blue Planet to explore, as well as a journey into the inner workings of the mind.

Are you ready to dive deep into the mind and body?

What is Freediving?
Simply defined as holding one’s breath and diving below the surface, it’s an ancient practise used by indigenous cultures for millennia to gather food and for recreation. In modern society, it allows one to escape the stresses of life and connect with nature.
Not many people realise that Freediving Training is actually mental training. By learning to Freedive you are learning how to control the mind, through breath work and other mental techniques. We say that Freediving is 95% mental. No matter your skill level or comfort in the ocean, learning to Freedive will enhance every aspect of your life!
People Freedive for many reasons; gathering food, recreation, science, and competition to name a few.
For us, it is to experience the connection to the universal force that governs the planet and all its creatures. It’s down in the cold, dark, depths that you can experience something that we can only describe as a spiritual awakening!
Even if that doesn’t interest you, the health benefits are plentiful, and science is only just beginning to discover its power!

Course Requirements and Expectations

Learning to Freedive is very challenging as it is not just about ticking off some mundane motor skills. It is mental training. Every person is different; everyone comes with different life experiences, different levels of trauma and baggage, different levels of anxieties or tolerance levels to the elements.

Freediving can’t be mastered in a 2-day course! We firmly believe that anything that takes time and effort is worth pursuing, as the rewards will be great!

We have been doing this for nearly a decade and still have so much to learn. The journey never stops.
Over the course we aim to provide you with the skills and knowledge to dive safety and competently, but it is up to you to train!

The Molchanovs System is the most comprehensive freediving education system currently in existence. It was designed by champion and world record holding divers and is constantly being revised and updated. To accomplish the certificate, there are certain requirements that need to be met.

These include:

• Performing a static breath hold (floating face down on the surface) for at least 1:30 minutes comfortably and safely with a buddy.
• Perform a dynamic dive (swimming horizontally beneath the surface) for at least 30 metres comfortably and safely with a buddy.
• Comfortable free immersion and constant weight dives down to at least 12 metres depth.
• Rescue a (simulated) blacked out diver from at least 6 metres depth.
  As you can see, passing the course requires a lot of skill and effort. Don’t be concerned with passing. Attend the course with an open mind and willingness to learn. All we ask is that you do your best. Depth will come with time and the rewards will follow.

Locations and Course Schedule

Day 1 - Theory and Confined Water Session
We meet at 8:30am for the theory session at Woebegone HQ
Unit 3/1 Erina Rd Huskisson

You will have an hour break from 12pm to 1pm. We provide yummy homemade lunch for all.

Then we will meet at the Bay & Basin Leisure Centre
The Wool Rd, Vincentia NSW 2540
We will be at the pool from 1pm to 4pm.

Day 2 - Open Water Sessions
We meet at the Woollamia Boat Ramp (Number 2, Coulon Street, Woollamia, 2540) at 1:30pm
The boat ramp is a 3 minute drive from Huskisson and a 10 minute drive from Vincentia.

What to Bring/Preparation

• Warm and comfy clothes.
• Swimmers
• Wind/Rain jacket.
• Towel.
• Water bottle.
• Hat
• Dive equipment (if you are using your own). A long wetsuit (5mm), thinner wetsuit for the pool, mask/snorkel, fins and weight belt.
• Seasickness tablets (Kwells are available without a prescription at most pharmacies).
• A positive attitude and an open mind.
• Medical Declaration Form signed off by GP (only if you tick ‘yes’ to any of the mentioned conditions on the form).
  *We provide a highly effective, all natural, water resistant reef safe sunscreen to protect our marine environment, so please wear ours for the day, unless of course you have the same!

To increase your chances of success there are a few things you can do in preparation:

• Get a good night’s rest.
• Avoid alcohol the night before breath holding (you will have to wait until Sunday).
• Keep meals light before each session (digestion uses a lot of energy and can shorten your breath holds, not to mention burping up gases).
• Avoid dairy at all costs (12hrs before diving) as it creates excess mucus in the sinuses, which can hamper equalisation.

Before the course date can you please:

• Email us your e-learning and exam results. We would highly recommend downloading and reading the course manual, as well as watching the videos before sitting the exam. If you have queries or concerns don’t hesitate to call or email.
• Thoroughly read the Liability Release and Medical Form. Make sure you understand and are happy with the contents as you will need to fill it out on the day.
• If you tick ‘yes’ to any of the conditions in the medical form, it does not necessarily mean you can’t Freedive. You will just need to get the all clear from your GP for your own safety as well as your own piece of mind. I am yet to meet anyone that has ticked ‘yes’ and been barred from learning to Freedive. Make sure you do this before the start of the course.
• If you are taking medication, receive advice from your GP on whether it is safe to take while diving.