Freediving
Learn how to freedive in Scotland this summer.
Freediving is a way to explore the magic of the ocean without a tank, on a single breath. The experience itself can be meditative and internal, down a line to depth, or it can be an exploritory snorkel or 'fun dive' diving into the underwater world and observing the beauty that dwells there. Because freediving relies upon connecting with yourself and your breath, before, during and after the dive it can be a very mindful and powerful experience.
Interested in learning how to freedive in Scotland? Please connect with us.
Learn How to Freedive in Scotland.
Molchanov Lap 1 / Wave 1 Course. (Beginner)
A Molchanov Wave 1 or Lap 1 course is the perfect start to your freediving journey. Over the winter months (November - April) choose to do a Lap 1 course. When the water is warmer, (May - October) join for the full 3 day Wave 1 course.
Molchanov Lap 1 Course
£150 / 1 day course.
Curious about learning how to freedive but are not yet ready to fully commit to a three day course? Or maybe it is the winter and the ocean is cold and you would like to hone your skills in the pool before venturing to the sea!
The Molchanov Lap 1 freediving course is a one day course in the classroom and swimming pool that will introduce you to the wonderful world of freediving.
After some self study, you will meet our instructor and go through a morning of theory. Following this you will go into the swimming pool and practise freediving pool disciplines like STATIC (holding your breath) and DYNAMIC (swimming horizontally underwater) along with vital safety rescue procedures and buddying.
At the end of the course, if you meet the performance requirements you will be a certified pool freediver and then able to go and attend pool freediving trainings across Scotland. If you don't meet the performance requirements you have a year to do so. Many people find that at the end a certification was not the biggest achievement of the course, it was the fascinating inquiry to learning more about your body and mind!
Course prerequisites
To do this course you must be able to swim 200m unassisted.
You must also have completed a Molchanov Medical Form and got it signed off by a doctor if there are any yeses on the form.
Upcoming Molchanov Lap 1 Courses
Next Molchanov Lap 1 Course -
Friday 30th May - FULL
Friday 13th June - 1 spot
Friday 27th June - FULL
Friday 11th July. - 2 spots
Email us if you would like to book on.
Molchanov Wave 1
£400 + gear hire ( £50) 3 day course.
A Molchanov Wave 1 course lays the foundation to your freediving journey. It is the continuum of the Molchanov Lap 1 course but can be done in one go.
The first day is spent in the classroom and pool, the next two days are spent in the open water. This beginner freediving certification is designed to empower you with knowledge, body confidence and awareness which could result in the opportunity of you receiving a Wave 1 certification. Some students find that they need longer than the two open water days to gain the certification, and, if this is the case, you have a year to do this.
At the end of the course you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to dive to 20m on a single breath. You will be educated on vital safety, buddying and rescue procedures. And you will have ample time to practise relaxed dives and the different freediving disciplines.
The Open water portion of this course takes place on Easedale Island. This amazing, quaint, car free Scottish island (pictured above) provides a very unique and fun learning environment. The old flooded slate quarries can provide excellent visibility and are reasonably protected from the weather so our dates are fixed.
Gear
I will provide you with full gear. This includes a 7mm wetsuit, 5mm socks and gloves and long freediving fins and weight belts with weights. There will be a daily hire charge of £25 per Open water day to hire gear.
Course Prerequisites
To do this course you must be able to swim 200m unassisted.
You must also have completed a Molchanov Medical form and had it signed off by a doctor if there are any yeses on the form.
Up and coming 2025 Wave 1 dates
Friday 30th May - Sunday 1st June 2025 - FULL
Friday 13th June - Sunday 15th June 2025 - FULL.
Friday 27th June - Sunday 29th June 2025 - FULL
Saturday 9th August - Sunday 10th August 2025(no pool - for students who have already completed a pool course with me) FULL
Friday 15th August (Fort William) - Saturday 16th - Sunday 17th August 2025 (Loch Sunart) with Selkie Freediving - 2 spots
Saturday 30th August - Sunday 31st August 2025 (no pool) - 2 Spots.
Friday 12th September - Sunday 14th September 2025 (FULL COURSE - last course of the year). 4 spots
Email us if you would like to book on or have any questions.
Molchanov Wave 2
£450 +£50 gear hire / 3 day course.
Are you ready to deepen your practise?
The Molchanov Wave 2 course is the the gateway to Advanced freediving. This 3 day course will equip you with the knowledge required to go deeper, but also prepare you to be a safer more proficient buddy and autonomous freediver.
The course covers deep equalisation techniques, a more in depth look at diving physiology. The aim of the course is to leave an informed and independent freediver, able to train without the presence of an instructor and to become a reliable safety/buddy. It is a big step in anyones freediving journey as we will look at freefall and also introduce the no fins discipline.
Prerequisites to starting your Molchanov Wave 2 is that you must have completed your Aida 2*, Molchanov Wave 1 or SSI level 1 or equivalent entry level freediving certification.
The course takes place over 3 days. We will do 2 x theory sessions, 1 (long) or 2 (shorter) x pool sessions, and 4 x Open Water sessions.
To gain the certification you will need to meet some requirements. These are as follows.
Pool Requirements
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STA 2.30
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DYB 50m
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DNF 35m
Open Water Requirements
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CWTBF & FIM 24-30m
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CNF 15m
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CWTB buddying 10-15m
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Rescue from 15m
Ready to level up your freediving?
Upcoming Wave 2 Freediving Courses
Friday 16 - 18th May 2025 Oban and Easdale FULL COURSE.
Friday 25- 27th July 2025 Oban and Easdale Island FULL COURSE.
Fancy some Coaching?
Are you a certified diver and want to come and do some depth coaching? Join me on Easdale Island for 2 x coached sessions. Whatever your working on I will ensure a safe and fun experience. You must have at least a pool certification, and there must be a minimum of 2 divers on the buoy to go out.
Dates throughout the summer are -
June - 12th (FULL)
June -26th ( 2 spots)
July - 10th (4 spots)
July - 24th (1 spot)
August - 14th (FULL)
August -21st (4 spots)
Coaching costs £75 per person. Minimum 2 people.
Freediving in Scotland FAQ's
Do I need to be able to swim to learn to freedive?
Yes. You need to be able to swim 200m non stop unassisted (any stroke, any time.)
What are the prerequisites to join a course?
Prior to joining a course you will be sent out a medical questionaire and liability release form. If you have any yeses on the medical form it is your responsibility to go and get it signed off by a GP in ample time before the course. Please note that some GP's in the UK do not do dive forms and therefore you will need to seek out someone who specialises in this. I will happily be able to advise you on where to go. But please leave at least
Is the water in Scotland cold?
Water temperatures in the summer range between 10 degrees and 15 degrees, which is considered cold in diving terms. I provide 7mm wetsuits, socks, hoods and gloves for students to wear which will keep you as warm as possible. I charge a non refundable hire charge cost of £25 per day.
What if I do not pass the requirements?
Firstly, do not panic. Many divers take a while to learn new skills like equalisation. You have a year to pass the course requirements. You must complete the requirements, if not with me, with another Molchanov instructor. I offer regular coaching sessions which are a great place to come and practise in a safe environment.
Can I freedive on my period?
Yes, you can. Your period should not interfere too much with your diving however I encourage you to really listen to your body and energy levels during menstruation. There are some super cool period swimwear on the market that you could choose to wear. I tend to use a menstrual cup. Or you could opt for a tampon or free bleeding. It is important to choose an option that is comfortable to you.
What does the course enable me to do?
If you receive your Wave 1 or Wave 2 certification you are able to go freediving at a freedive centre anywhere in the world. For most schools they usually require a Wave 2 certification for you to take part in autonomous training (line training without an instructor). The wave 1 course can be life changing in terms of learning about what your body can do and is capable of. It will enable you to safely explore the ocean on a single breath. This can have spillover into your daily life and your ability to handle stress, your emotions and regulate your nervous system. To train in a pool in the UK you require the minimum of a LAP 1 certificate.
