FREEDIVING - PERHAPS THE PUREST OF THE EXTREME SPORTS AND ALMOST CERTAINLY THE OLDEST.’ All over the world, there is a growing movement for the purity, the renaissance, the eco-bonding, and the intensity of freediving. Floating on the surface, (with no aqualung or diving equipment on you) taking slow deep breaths, staring at the water beneath you….. As you get in tune with your body, you begin to slow your heart rate down.... 100...90...80...70...65...55 beats per minute....
With a last breath, you plunge your upper body under the surface, your feet rise 
up out of the water and their weight above the water starts to thrust your body downward. Taking slow, large, almost stiff-legged kicks - you almost try to sleep your way down to the bottom, staying as relaxed as possible, exerting the least amount of energy as possible.
Within 30 seconds you are 50 feet below the surface and levelling out, gliding along at almost twice the speed of divers with scuba gear on, but with virtually no exertion. Your fins are twice as long as the stiff, sluggish versions made for scuba, and their amazing flexibility allows huge thrust with little effort. You begin to imagine the efficiency of fish & dolphins with their superior hydrodynamic designs, and wonder why it took you so long to experience this natural euphoria…
Today, freediving is pushing back new boundaries: 152 metres on a single breath, a depth where even the blue disappears. Spear fishermen taking 200lb yellow fin tuna in the blue waters of the open ocean. Whichever path into the blue you take Extreme Sports Cafe have, in conjunction with our UK Freediving partners, the training facilities and equipment to take you to your limits. For those new to the sport, we offer introductory freediving courses leading up to, for the more experienced freediver; sled diving.
Freediving UK Courses in England from Extreme Sports Cafe
All of our Freediving UK Courses in England can be booked online
Open Water Freediving Course AIDA */** £349.00
For beginner this course is a fantastic introduction to the sport of Freediving. Covering theory, confined water work and open water diving. You’ll get the chance to freedive submerged boats, planes, cars and also to dive deep on the amazing ‘Lily Pad’ platform. You will receive AIDA */ AIDA ** certification depending on your performance. This course can also be taken as continued development (AIDA**) for those with some freediving or spearfishing experience.
- This is a 2.5 day weekend freediving course at Vobster Quay in Somerset, combining classroom theory with practical exercises in confined and open water of the Quay. Courses are run on scheduled dates.
- There will be at least four hours of home study to be completed before the course. You will also be required to complete a knowledge review before the course starts.
- All the material will be sent to you prior to the weekend when you book.
There are some minimum requirements for people to attend this course.
- Be 16 years of age or older
- Be able to swim at least 200m non stop without fins and at least 300m non stop with mask, fins and snorkel.
Advanced Freediving Course AIDA *** £599.00
This course is for intermediate and advanced freedivers. It will look in more detail and depth about physiology, psychology, physics and freediving safety. More advanced buddying and rescue skills will be covered as well as performance freediving and deeper recreational diving.
- This is a 4 day, 2 weekend freediving course at Vobster Quay in Somerset, combining classroom theory with practical exercises in confined and open water of the Quay. Courses are run on scheduled dates.
There are some minimum requirements for people to attend this course.
- You must already hold the AIDA 2 star qualification to enrol on this course.
All of our Freediving UK Courses in England can be booked online
The free diving courses run from 08.30 to 17.00 on both days. At the end of the course students will qualify with an AIDA (International Association for the Development of Apnea) * or ** or *** qualification depending on performance during the course. The Freediving packages on offer are probably the most comprehensive available. Included in your freediving course fee’s are:
- Entrance to Vobster Quay.
- Use of the BFA "Lily Pad" diving platform.
- Entrance to pool for pool session.
- Equipment hire. (mask, fins, weight belt and weight, snorkel, neoprene gloves and socks, lanyard)
- Manual of FreeDiving.
- Pool Training & Dry Practice Course Materials.
- Delicious hot lunch on both days.
- Snacks and beverages on both days.
- AIDA Certification as * or ** or *** FreeDiver. (depending on performance)
- Certificate showing you have completed the course.
What's NOT Included. There are a small number of things not included in your course fee:
- Wetsuit hire. (this can be arranged - information on this is in the Course Pack)
- A refundable deposit paid to Vobster Quay for return of the security key ring at the end of each open water day.
- Accommodation and meal on Saturday night.
Vobster Quay is deep in the heart of the Mendips in Somerset. An old quarry situated in picturesque countryside it has a host of attractions above and below the water. The office block contains the showers and changing rooms, classroom and shop. There is also a catering truck selling hot food for hungry divers!
Out on the water there are ducks and The Lily Pad. This is the freediving platform for the BFA (British Freediving Association) with six lines down to 34 metres, and is where our depth training takes place. Other attractions underwater for freedivers on the courses to explore include a plane, a boat, cars, and old mine workings to name but a few.
If you are lucky then you can also get to see/ drive the yellow submarine ‘Morzh’ owned by Alexander the Russian who can be found next to his sub on most days dressed in a blue boiler suit!
- A swimsuit and towel are virtually all you need! You will also need to bring completed paperwork that will be sent to you prior to taking the course and you can bring a camera if you would like the record the weekend. All freediving equipment is provided except wetsuit that can be hired. More information is in your Course Pack.
- There is a maximum of 4 students per instructor in open water. This rises to 6 students if a **** freediver is assisting.
- When you book you receive an introduction pack from the center. This contains, amongst other things, an extensive document on travel to the facility and local accommodation details for all budgets.
Freediving UK Courses in England from Extreme Sports Cafe
All of our Freediving UK Courses in England can be booked Online
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT FREEDIVING SHOULD NEVER BE ATTEMPTED ALONE - EVEN IN WATER AS SHALLOW AS YOUR BATH. ALWAYS TRAIN WITH AN EXPERIENCED BUDDY AND KEEP WITHIN THE LIMITS OF YOUR TRAINING.
