Explore and grow through freediving
Beginner freediving courses and instruction in Bellingham
Courses
All courses are certified through AIDA International, the world's leading freediving organization. Currently, courses are capped at two students per instructor to keep instruction personalized.
Courses for 2026 available June through August.
AIDA 1 Introduction to Freediving
An introduction to freediving technique and safety. Leave with your AIDA 1 certification and the foundation to dive further. Dives up to 10m (~33 ft).
This is the recommend starting point for most people.
$100 | 1 day (~3 hours)
AIDA 2 Freediver Course
For casual breath-hold divers ready to build proper freediving technique. Leave with your AIDA 2 certification. Dives up to 20m (~66 ft).
$299 | 2-3 days
AIDA 3 Advanced Freediver
For certified AIDA 2 freedivers ready to push their depth and breath-hold to the next level. Dives up to 30m (~98 ft).
$449 | 3-4 days
Location
Depending on conditions, depth goals, gear setup, and student needs, sessions are held at either Lake Whatcom or Clark’s Point.
Lake Whatcom
Lake Whatcom sessions are accessed from Sudden Valley, typically at AM/PM Beach. This is a calm lake setting with easy shoreline entry and access to depth, making it a good environment for beginner training, skill progression, and warmer-water sessions. The site is approximately 25 minutes from downtown Bellingham.
Clark’s Point
Clark’s Point is located near the southern end of the Edgemoor neighborhood in Bellingham Bay. The site offers a scenic saltwater setting with a short hike down a dirt path to the shoreline. While deeper water is available farther offshore, sessions here stay closer to shore to avoid drifting into the bay. Clark’s Point a good fit for ocean comfort and basic skills when conditions allow.
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Freediving instruction
AIDA certification (upon completion of course requirements)
Aquatic center entry
Safety buoy and lanyard
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What to bring
Wetsuit (5mm or 7mm)
Mask and snorkel
Fins
Food and hydration
Personal gear is not included.
If you need help sourcing gear, check out the Gear page.
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Sales Tax
Prices do not include applicable sales tax.
Cancellations
Full payment is due at registration. Cancellations more than 21 days before the course date receive a full refund. Cancellations within 21 days are non-refundable, but you may transfer your registration to a future course.
Cancellation by Instructor
If I cancel due to weather or safety conditions, you will receive a full reschedule or full refund including your deposit.
Removal from Course
Participants removed for safety reasons (not following instructions, undisclosed medical conditions, impairment) will not receive a refund.
Required waivers and forms
Students must fill out the these required waivers and forms before attending a course.
Coaching sessions
Outside of AIDA courses, I also offer personalized freediving coaching sessions. These sessions are tailored to your experience level, goals, and comfort in the water.
AIDA courses are structured, well-rounded programs that cover multiple areas of freediving, including theory, static breath holds, dynamic freediving, and depth. They are a great way to build a strong foundation and explore the different branches of the sport.
Coaching sessions are less formal and more focused. They typically center on depth, finning technique, comfort in open water, and skills that transfer well to recreational freediving or spearfishing in the ocean. These sessions do not include certification, but they can be a great option if you want targeted instruction, extra practice, or support building confidence in the water.
