PADI Basic Freediver

Discover Freediving – Build Your Confidence, Skills & Safety Awareness

Ready to explore the underwater world on a single breath?

The PADI Basic Freediver Course is the perfect introduction to freediving for beginners who want to develop proper breath-hold techniques, improve underwater efficiency, and learn essential freediving safety skills in a controlled pool environment.

At Rui Diving Centre (RDC), we believe freediving is more than holding your breath. It is about relaxation, proper technique, body awareness, and understanding how to dive safely with a trained buddy.

Whether you are preparing for future ocean adventures, interested in underwater photography, or planning to progress toward advanced freediving certifications, this course provides a strong foundation.

Why Choose Rui Diving Centre?

• Professional PADI Freediving Instruction – Learn from experienced diving professionals.

• English & Mandarin Instruction Available – Choose the language that works best for you.

• Year-Round Training in Toronto – Freediving courses are available throughout the year.

• Flexible Training Schedule – Pool training opportunities available throughout the week.

• UTSC Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre – Regular Friday training sessions in a 5-metre-deep dive tank.

• Small Groups & Personalized Coaching – Individual feedback to improve technique, relaxation, and confidence.

• Safety-Focused Training – Strong emphasis on buddy procedures, supervision, and safe breath-hold practices.

• Progression Opportunities – Continue toward the full PADI Freediver certification and more advanced training.

• Tropical Training Opportunities – Continue your freediving development through selected training programs in tropical destinations.

About the PADI Basic Freediver Course

The PADI Basic Freediver Course is a subset of the full PADI Freediver Course.

It introduces the fundamental principles of freediving and focuses on developing essential skills in a swimming pool or suitable confined-water environment.

Students learn how to relax before a breath-hold, improve swimming efficiency, practice static and dynamic apnea, and follow appropriate freediving buddy and safety procedures.

No previous freediving, snorkeling, or scuba diving experience is required.

Course Prerequisites

To enroll in the PADI Basic Freediver Course, participants must:

• Be at least 12 years old.

• Have adequate swimming skills.

• Be in good physical health and meet applicable medical requirements.

• Be comfortable participating in supervised water activities.

• Complete the required course documentation and liability forms.

Previous freediving experience is not required.

What You Will Learn

1. Knowledge Development – Freediving Theory

Begin your training with PADI Freediver eLearning, allowing you to study fundamental freediving concepts at your own pace.

Topics include:

• Introduction to freediving principles

• Basic human physiology and breath-hold diving

• Proper breathing and relaxation techniques

• Equalization fundamentals

• Freediving equipment selection and use

• Understanding pressure and its effects underwater

• Safe freediving practices

• Buddy responsibilities and supervision

• Recognizing freediving risks

• Basic emergency awareness and response procedures

Your instructor will review your knowledge development and answer questions before practical training.

2. Confined Water Training – Pool Sessions

Develop your freediving skills in a controlled environment under professional supervision.

Breathing & Relaxation

• Proper preparation before breath-hold activities

• Relaxation and breathing awareness

• Efficient recovery breathing after surfacing

• Safe breath-hold preparation

Static Apnea (STA)

Learn to remain relaxed while holding your breath at the surface under direct supervision.

Training focuses on:

• Body relaxation

• Mental preparation

• Efficient breath-hold technique

• Proper buddy monitoring

• Safe recovery procedures

Course performance goal: 90 seconds of static apnea.

Dynamic Apnea (DYN)

Practice swimming underwater on a single breath while developing efficient finning and streamlined body positioning.

Training includes:

• Proper body position

• Efficient finning technique

• Streamlining and energy conservation

• Underwater swimming control

• Safe surfacing and recovery breathing

• Correct buddy supervision

Course performance goal: 25 metres / 80 feet of dynamic apnea.

Buddy & Safety Skills

Safety is a fundamental part of every freediving session.

Students learn:

• Proper buddy positioning

• Monitoring a freediver during breath-hold activities

• Recognizing signs of distress

• Basic freediving rescue awareness and procedures

• Appropriate post-dive recovery and supervision

Important: All breath-hold training must be conducted with appropriate supervision. Never practice breath-hold diving alone or use hyperventilation to extend breath-hold time.

Freediving Equipment

Students will learn to use appropriate freediving equipment, including:

• Mask

• Snorkel

• Fins

• Wetsuit, when appropriate

• Weight belt and suitable weights, when required

Freediving-specific equipment is recommended, although suitable snorkeling equipment may be acceptable for this beginner-level course.

Students are responsible for providing their own personal equipment unless rental or other arrangements have been confirmed with Rui Diving Centre.

Please contact our team before purchasing equipment if you need assistance selecting suitable gear.

Training Locations & Scheduling

Toronto – Year-Round Training

Rui Diving Centre offers freediving training throughout the year, with flexible scheduling options.

Training opportunities include:

• Regular pool training sessions in Toronto

• Evening pool sessions, subject to availability

• Friday sessions at the UTSC Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre

• Additional supervised practice opportunities

Course dates and training locations are confirmed by Rui Diving Centre based on instructor and facility availability.

Tropical Freediving Progression

Planning a tropical vacation?

After completing your PADI Basic Freediver training, you may continue toward the full PADI Freediver certification, including required open-water training, through eligible programs offered by Rui Diving Centre.

Depending on scheduling and availability, training opportunities may be offered in destinations such as:

• Dominican Republic

• Mexico

• Other selected tropical locations

Please note: The PADI Basic Freediver Course itself is a confined-water course and does not require open-water training. Tropical open-water sessions are part of a separate or continuing certification program.

Certification & Course Completion

To successfully complete the PADI Basic Freediver Course, students must satisfy the applicable PADI knowledge development and confined-water performance requirements.

These include the required safety skills and the course performance goals of:

• Static Apnea: 90 seconds

• Dynamic Apnea: 25 metres / 80 feet

• Freediving Buddy Procedures: Demonstrate appropriate supervision and safety skills

Certification is awarded only after successful completion of all applicable course requirements.

Completion of the PADI Basic Freediver Course does not automatically qualify a student for the full PADI Freediver certification or independent open-water freediving.

Continue Your Freediving Journey – Keep Diving!

Your first freediving certification is only the beginning.

At Rui Diving Centre, we encourage students to continue developing their skills through structured training and supervised practice.

After completing the Basic Freediver Course, you can explore:

• PADI Freediver Course – Progress toward full freediver certification with additional training and open-water requirements.

• PADI Advanced Freediver – Continue developing advanced freediving techniques after meeting the required prerequisites.

• Regular Pool Practice – Improve finning, relaxation, equalization, and swimming efficiency.

• Freediving Workshops – Develop specialized skills and improve technique.

• Tropical Freediving Trips – Experience open-water freediving in selected destinations with appropriate training and supervision.

Our goal is to help students build long-term freediving skills, confidence, and safe diving habits.

Course Policies & Important Information

1. Course Validity

Course training arrangements are valid for one year from the date of purchase, unless otherwise specified in writing.

2. Registration & Payment

Course registration is confirmed after payment and acceptance by Rui Diving Centre.

All course purchases are non-refundable, non-transferable, and non-exchangeable, subject to applicable law.

3. Scheduling & Rescheduling

Training sessions must be arranged and confirmed with Rui Diving Centre.

Rescheduling due to verified medical reasons or facility-related cancellations may be accommodated without additional scheduling fees.

Other rescheduling requests are subject to RDC's current course policies and availability.

4. Certification Requirements

Certification is not guaranteed by course enrollment or payment.

Students must successfully complete all required knowledge development, water skills, and safety performance requirements.

5. Additional Training

Students who require additional instruction or practice beyond the scheduled course may arrange extra training sessions. Additional charges may apply.

6. Equipment

Students must bring suitable personal freediving equipment. Equipment rental or purchase arrangements should be confirmed before training.

7. Medical Requirements

All students must complete the required medical screening documentation. Medical clearance may be required before participation.

8. Tropical Training & Travel

Travel, accommodation, transportation, boat fees, personal equipment, and other expenses associated with optional tropical training are not included unless specifically stated in a separate booking agreement.

9. Official Course Policies

All registrations and training activities are subject to Rui Diving Centre's official course terms and conditions.

Please refer to www.ruidiving.com for current policies and requirements.

Start Your Freediving Adventure with Rui Diving Centre

Discover the freedom of moving underwater on a single breath.

With professional instruction, flexible training opportunities, and a strong focus on safety, Rui Diving Centre helps you build the skills and confidence needed to begin your freediving journey.

Train in Toronto. Learn in English or Mandarin. Build your skills. Keep Diving!

Contact Rui Diving Centre

Website: www.ruidiving.com

Email: diving@ruidiving.com

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada