San Diego Freediving Courses
Freediving is one of the world’s fastest-growing watersports!
As a certified freediver, you will have the knowledge and skills to dive beneath the waves and explore the ocean like a marine mammal, with nothing but a mask, fins, and the air in your lungs.
Discover how much you can explore on a single breath, and learn how to navigate underwater habitats with grace, power, and agility.
What's Included in Your Freediving Course?
Your course fee includes:
- PADI certification fees
- PADI eLearning
- Classroom, Pool, and Open Water Sessions
- A friendly and experienced freediving instructor
Rental gear is included in our PADI Basic Freediver and PADI Freediver courses!
PADI Basic Freediver
Not sure if freediving is right for you? Take the PADI Basic Freediver Course. This is a simple, 2-day course where you will get to practice freediving in a pool. Great for those who want to test the water. Suitable for ages 12 and older. Price: $300
San Diego Freediving Classes
PADI Freediver Course
Start your adventure with this introductory course and become a certified freediver! No previous freediving experience required. This course will teach you the fundamental techniques of freediving.
PADI Advanced Freediver
Ready to take your freediving skills to the next level? This course will help you increase your depth and expand your skills. You’ll learn advanced techniques so you can explore a greater variety of underwater environments.
Course Prerequisite: Be 15 years or older; PADI Freediver certification or qualifying certification from other training agencies.
PADI Master Freediver Course
Our Master Course will elevate you to an elite level of freediving. You’ll learn the most advanced techniques and discover how to fine-tune your lifestyle so you can dive deeper and further than what you thought possible. Being a Master Freediver is the closest you’ll get to being an aquatic mammal!
Course Prerequisite: Be 18 years or older; PADI Advanced Freediver certification or qualifying certification from another training agency.
Freediving Course Info
PADI Freediver Course
Course Duration: 3 Days
Price: $450 [ Lifetime Certification ]
Course Includes:
- Knowledge Development: Learn the basic principles of freediving with PADI online learning. Then you’ll have an instructor-led classroom session.
- Pool Session: Jump into a pool and practice breath-holding techniques, including static and dynamic apnea. Our goal is to achieve 90 seconds of static apnea and 25 meters/80 feet dynamic apnea.
- Open Water Training: We’ll head into the ocean to practice freediving in a true marine environment. The goal is to complete a minimum of 2 constant weight dives of at least 30 feet/10 meters. [Maximum 55 feet/16 meters.]
PADI Advanced Freediver Course
Course Duration: 3 Days
Price: $500 [ Lifetime Certification ]
Course Includes:
- Knowledge Development: Learn advanced theory with PADI online learning, followed by an instructor-led classroom session.
- Pool Session: We’ll practice stretching and relaxation techniques. Our goal is to achieve 2 minutes and 30 seconds of static apnea and 165 feet/50 meters dynamic apnea. [Younger divers will aim for 2 minutes static apnea and 130 feet/40 meters dynamic apnea.]
- Open Water Training: We’ll complete 2 open water dives and practice deeper free immersion and constant weight freediving. We’ll also practice buddy procedures and rescue techniques. Our goal is to complete a constant weight dive of 66 feet/20 meters. Maximum 80 feet/24 meters. [Younger divers will aim for 50 feet/15 meters.]
PADI Master Freediver Course
Course Duration: 4 Days
Price: $750 [ Lifetime Certification ]
Course Includes:
- Knowledge Development: Learn about nutrition, relaxation, and advanced breathing techniques with PADI online learning and an instructor-led classroom session.
- Pool Session: We’ll practice our master techniques, including no-fins dynamic apnea. Our goal is to achieve 3 minutes and 30 seconds static apnea and 230 feet/70 meters dynamic apnea.
- Open Water Training: We’ll embark on 4 open water training sessions. We’ll practice mouth-fill equalization and perform warm-up and workup dives for free immersion and constant weight freediving. Our goal is to complete a constant weight dive of 105 feet/32 meters. [Maximum 130 feet/40 meters.]
About Your Instructor
Michael Timm is a scuba, freediving, and emergency first response instructor with decades of teaching experience.
Michael is an instructor-of-instructors, with certifications as:
- PADI Freediver Instructor Trainer
- PADI IDC Staff Instructor
- SSI Master Instructor
- SSI Level 3 Freediving Instructor
- RAID Instructor Trainer
- RAID Freediving Instructor Trainer
- Military Water Competency Instructor
- Trauma-Informed Aquatic Specialist
Michael began his professional diving career in the German Navy as a combat diver. Afterward he managed dive operations at dive resorts all over the world before making landfall in San Diego.
He has over 35 years of teaching experience, and over 20 years experience working with physically and cognitively-impaired people – including military personnel and veterans that have been injured in combat. He also trains lifeguard teams and conducts specialized water competency training for special forces members.
In his free time, Michael enjoys working out, trail running, rucking and underwater photography!
FAQs
San Diego is the perfect city to get your freediving certification, whether you’re a local or visiting from out of town.
If you live in a landlocked area, you may have the option to get certified in a lake or river. But if you’re interested in exploring the ocean, it’s best to do your training in saltwater. We conduct our open water dives in the Pacific Ocean so you will be prepared to go freediving in ocean habitats around the world. Plus, San Diego is a fun and beautiful place to visit.
San Diego is the perfect city to get your freediving certification–whether you’re local or visiting from out of town.
If you live in a landlocked area, you may have the option to get certified at a lake or river. But if you’re interested in exploring the ocean, it’s best to do your training in saltwater. We conduct our open-water dives in the Pacific Ocean so by the end of your course you’ll be ready to go freediving in ocean habitats around the world. Plus, San Diego is a beautiful place to visit: there’s a year-round mild climate, plenty of sunshine, and a variety of fun things to do onshore.
The water in San Diego is cooler, which makes a lot of students consider going to a warmer climate to get their freediving certification. But there are a few reasons why you might actually prefer taking a freediving course in San Diego:
- Save Time on Vacation: If you’re going to spend money on a tropical vacation, you don’t want to waste any of your precious vacation time in a pool or classroom. Get your freediving certification before you go so you can start exploring the coral reefs on Day 1 of your trip.
- World-Class Instructor: Michael Timm is a best-in-class freediving instructor with decades of experience training lifeguard dive teams, recreational and military divers alike, including Navy Seals and USMC Combat Divers. Dive California is the place to go if you want to learn from the best.
- Beautiful Diving: San Diego is a beautiful place to go freediving! When you take our course, you’ll learn all about the local kelp forests, sea lions, and reefs.
Here are the age requirements for each freediving course:
- PADI Basic Freediver: 12 Years Old, (only private or semi-private courses and under the supervision of a legal guardian.)
- PADI FREEDIVER: 12 Years Old, (only private or semi-private courses and under the supervision of a legal guardian.)
- PADI Advanced Freediver: 15 Years Old
- PADI Master Freediver: 18 Years Old
Parental consent is required for minors.
For your safety, and the safety of those who dive with you, you must be in good health to take a freediving course. You’ll be asked to complete a Medical Form, Liability Release, and Statement of Understanding before your first classroom session. Speak with your doctor before you sign up.