So what is freediving? Freediving is the sport of Apnea, breath hold diving. This can be in a pool or open water. Learning to freedive has many benefits: It increases the amount of time you can stay underwater whilst snorkelling or taking underwater photographs. It is a wonderful way to relax, and can also really help to reduce the amount of air you use when scuba diving.

The British Freediving Association (BFA) is the governing body for the sport in the UK. It promotes the sport and supports its members in the setting up of clubs and events. It also ratifies UK freediving records and is the UK body of the international freediving organisation AIDA. You should never freedive without an experienced 'buddy' with you at all times - the BFA recommends that if you wish to learn to freedive safely, you do an AIDA freediving course.

Joining the BFA has many benefits, including a membership card, free dive log book, insurance and use of the BFA freediving platform at Vobster! New members pay only twenty pounds to become a member and you can sign up by visiting the BFA website.

Vobster is an official training site for the British Freediving Association, giving you full access to some of the most experienced and highly-skilled freediving instructors in the UK. AIDA Instructors can teach up to AIDA *** freediver level, AIDA Master Instructors can teach up to AIDA **** freediver level and AIDA Instructor Trainers can teach all levels including AIDA Instructors.

AIDA freediving courses offer something for every freediver - from the absolute novice who just wants to do a bit more snorkelling to the diver who wants to nip down to 35 metres (and back!) for fun.

For info on AIDA courses and to find an instructor near you, visit the BFA website or ring Emma Farrell on 07980 648892

• Can anyone learn to freedive?
• How long does it take to learn?
• Which course is best for me?
• Where can I freedive once certified?
• Is freediving dangerous?
• What will these courses let me do?

		Can anyone learn to freedive? A. You'd better believe it!

Absolutely! Annabel Briseno was in her fifties and a grandmother before she took up freediving and she dived to 71 metres to become a world record holder! There are no upper age limits although you must be 16 in order to learn to freedive.

		How long does it take to learn? A. Faster than you think!

The theory components of the courses are fairly easy to grasp, however your performance in the water entirely depends on how relaxed you are and your ability to equalise. Some people find this very easy whilst it takes longer for others. Your instructors will work closely with you to help overcome any problems you may encounter.

		Which course is best for me? A. We've got a course to suit you!

Most people start with the * or ** freediver qualification. You can read more about them on our courses page

		Where can I freedive? A. Anywhere that suits your fancy!

An AIDA qualification means that you can freedive all over the world with other AIDA freedivers. You can freedive at Vobster if you also become a member of the BFA, and you can enter any freediving competitions all over the world. An AIDA freediving qualification means that you can safely freedive in the pool or in open water.

		Is freediving dangerous? A. No - but it *is* dangerously addictive!

Done correctly and with proper training, freediving is far safer than scuba diving. It is a misconception that freediving is a dangerous 'extreme' sport. In fact it is the most incredibly relaxing way to enjoy being in the water. If you are pumped up with adrenaline then you can't freedive!

		What will the courses let me do? A. Your ticket to the world of freediving!

AIDA is the Worldwide Federation for breath-hold diving, established in 1992 which manages and oversees the recognition of records, organises competitions, and sets the standards for freedive education. AIDA qualifications are recognised throughout the world and mean that you can freedive with other AIDA divers knowing that they have been taught up to the same standard as you.

If you are a member of the British Freediving Association then you can dive on The Lily Pad up to the limit of your AIDA qualification. The qualification also means that you can enter AIDA freediving competitions where the requirement is that you have taken and passed an AIDA freediver course.

If your Pool club is a British Freediving Association affiliated club then you can supervise a pool training session and teach the BFA pool induction if you are either:

• A 2-star pool freediver or higher with at least 12 pool training sessions attended.
   
• A 3-star pool freediver who has been observed leading a pool session by a BFA committee member who is also an instructor.

If you are a **** freediver then you can assist instructors teaching up to **** star freediver level. You are allowed to assist the instructor with an extra four students in confined water and two students in open water.

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