Build Your Freediving Skills with Confidence and Safety
Dive into the world of freediving with our comprehensive Level 1 course in Kona, Hawai'i. Over two immersive days, you'll learn proper freediving safety, essential technique, and hands-on skills training.
Our course blends classroom learning with hands-on practice in both confined and open water settings. You'll master crucial safety skills, proper breathing techniques, and efficient technique, while expanding your comfort, relaxation, and connection to the ocean.
This course is considered the basic prerequisite to all freediving activities and will equip you with lifesaving understanding of hypoxia and breathhold-related activities.
Level 1 Freediver
Course at a Glance
Duration: 2 days (Approx. 15 hours total)
Skill Level: All Levels
Location: Kailua Kona, Big Island of Hawaii
Age Requirement: 16+ years old
Max Depth: 66 feet (20 meters)
Class Size:
6 Students maximum
Certification: F.I.I. Level 1 Freediver
What You'll Learn & Benefits
Our course emphasizes safe, responsible freediving practices, ensuring you develop skills with a strong foundation in safety protocols.
- Freediving safety and problem management, including hypoxia & hypoxic incidents
- How to prevent, recognize, & respond to hypoxic incidents such as blackouts & loss of motor control
- Direct Supervision
- Physics and physiology of freediving
- Safe, correct breathing techniques
- Static breathholds, safety & skills
- Proper & safe use of freediving equipment
- Increased comfort & confidence in the water
- Improved overall water skills applicable to other aquatic activities
- Deeper connection with the ocean environment
- Access to a supportive freediving community
Upcoming Courses
Your Instructor
Julia Donath
Your freediving journey will be guided by Julia Donath, founder of Jules of the Sea, former school teacher, and a certified FII (Freediving Instructors International) instructor. Julia brings a wealth of experience to her classes, including:
- Extensive background as an ocean lifeguard
- Years of experience as a surfer and freediver
- Former school teacher with a passion for ocean education
- Environmental Studies graduate from U.C. Santa Barbara
Julia's unique blend of ocean expertise, teaching skills, and environmental knowledge ensures a safe, educational, and inspiring freediving experience. Her passion for the ocean and commitment to responsible freediving practices make her an ideal guide for beginners and experienced divers alike.
Details
Course Details
- 5 hours of classroom instruction
- 3 hours of confined water training
- 1.5 - 3 hours of open water depth training, pending class size
- Prerequisites: Competent swimming skills, comfort in open water, satisfactory health
Price: $450
What's Included & Equipment
- Access a beautiful facility at the Pacific 19 Hotel in the heart of Kona Town
- Potential use of a swimming pool for skills training
- Lunch provided on Day 1!
- Comprehensive course materials
- Instruction guided by the highest industry standards
- Level 1 Student Manual
Students Need to Bring
- Wetsuit (3mm, 2 piece freediving wetsuit preferred; basic full-length neoprene wetsuit required)
- Mask (low volume freediving mask preferred; basic snorkel or dive mask required)
- Snorkel (the simpler & more flexible the snorkel, the better!)
- Fins (Short snorkel fins or long-blade freediving fins)
- Weight belt
- Sufficient weights
Equipment is easily available to rent at affordable rates from local dive shops. Please contact Julia directly for assistance.
Certification
Upon successful completion of all skills, you may receive the globally recognized FII Level 1 Freediver certification. Students have 12 months to complete the course skills at no additional cost under any FII-certified instructor in an existing course.