Just Get Wet | Beginner Freediver Course

Duration

Weekday - 2 Days
Weekend - 3 Days (Fri - Sun)

Online Learning

By means of online videos and a course manual, you will learn:

• Physics and physiological basics of freediving
• Relaxation and breathing techniques
• Mental techniques/relaxation
• Introduction to equalization
• Mamalian Dive Reflex
• Potential trauma
• Multiple choice exam

One Pool Session

In this sessions you will learn:

• Introductions of freediving equipment
• Static breath holds (STA)
• Techniques: Finning technique, body position and turns
• Dynamic diving (DYN)
• Introduction to Dynamic without Fins (DNF)
• Buddy and rescue procedures

Confined Water Session

In Mission Bay you will learn:

• Introductions of techniques: Duck dives, body positioning, equalization
• Basic safety and rescue: Buddy and rescue procedures

Open Water Session

• Freediving techniques: Free Immersion (FIM) & Constant Weight (CWT) up to 20m depth.
  Of note, we swim out from the beach to a mooring where we train. It is about a 10 minute leisurely snorkel to the mooring, with a wetsuit you will be buoyant at the surface and the fins will help as well. If you do not feel comfortable with this please let us know, or see our Discover Freediving class.

Spearfishing

If you have minimal freediving experience, we highly recommend you stay with the Wave 1 option for your first weekend. Adding on spearfishing in the first weekend has proven to be too much for most of our students, and they have performed much better by taking the Wave 1 class and then signing up for a Coronado Islands Spearfishing Charter with coaching down the road. It ends up being $50 more to do it this way, and you get the final depth session which is not included in the W1+Spearfishing course. If you signed up for the Wave 1 + Spearfishing course, instead of doing the final depth session you will instead go on the boat to the Coronado Islands with an instructor. You will learn how to hunt with a speargun safely and effectively, identify local fish, and care for your catch.

As a certified Freediver you will be able to meet the following requirements:

• 1:30+ min static breath hold
• 30m diving horizontally in the pool
• Diving at least 10m (PADI) or 12m (Molchanovs) depth in open water

Course Schedule and Locations

Weekend (Fri - Sun)
FRIDAY

• Classroom
• 5-7 PM
• Just Get Wet Headquarters, 3719 Mission Blvd San Diego

SATURDAY

• Pool
• 6:45 - 9:30 AM
• The Plunge, Mission Bay

Open Water 1

• 1100 AM - 1:30 PM
• Mission Bay
• Sunday

Open Water 2

• 8 - 11:30 AM
• La Jolla Shores

Weekday

DAY 1

• Classroom
• 9 - 11:30 AM
• Just Get Wet Headquarters, 3719 Mission Blvd San Diego
• Pool
• 1 - 4 PM
• The Plunge, Mission Beach

DAY 2

• Open Water 1 & 2
• 8 AM - 2 PM
• La Jolla Shores

SPEARFISHING:

• 7AM pickup at the Dana Landing Fuel Dock. Drop off by 3PM

Our local meetup group will usually be hanging out for a cookout after the class, this is a great opportunity to meet more local freedivers and find good dive buddies!

Equipment requirements

Everything can be rented from Just Get Wet! Total cost is around $80. We also have a rent to own program for specific items, please inquire if interested.

• Mask – A low volume spearfishing/freediving mask. A standard snorkel/scuba mask is OK for the Level 1 Freediver course.
• Snorkel – A simple J. style snorkel
• Wetsuit – This is your most important piece of equipment. For San Diego, it’s highly recommended to have a 5mm proper spearfishing or freediving two piece, open cell wetsuit. A proper freediving suit will positively influence your course experience. We offer freediving wetsuit rentals, as well as a rent to own program if interested.
• Fins – Longblade freediving fins. Standard snorkel/scuba fins are acceptable for the Level 1 Freediver course. We do not accept “split fins” or the full open heel and bootie style. We have fins available for rent if needed.
• Weight belt – A rubber weight belt is preferred. A standard webbing weight belt is OK for the Level 1 Freediver course. We have weight belts available for rent if needed
• Weights – A selection of 1lb and/or 2lb weights, most people use 5-10lbs. We have weights available for rent if needed

Additional spearfishing Gear Required for W1+Spear:
CURRENT, VALID PASSPORT FOR CORONADO ISLANDS TRIP! You must have this on the boat with you
Mexican Fishing License
Speargun and dive knife (can be rented from the shop)

• Students under 16 must attend with an adult

Optional Items

• Pool Suit - A 3mm surf suit or something similar is highly recommended for the pool. If you don’t have anything like that please let us know, we have some laying around that might fit you. If we don’t, your 5mm suit will work for the pool but will require a lot more weight for you to be properly buoyant in the pool
• VENTED Docs Pro Plugs - If you are sensitive to the cold water, you may want to consider purchasing some VENTED Docs Pro Plugs. We do not carry these

Throughout your course you will be instructed on what to look for when purchasing new equipment. It is not necessary to buy a new set of equipment prior to your course. However, if there is something you do need/want to purchase then please do not hesitate to call to get recommendations.

We look forward to getting out there with you!